Rams and Bengals Advance

 By John Turney

The Bengals shocked the NFL world by beating the Chiefs today and this evening the Rams edged the 49ers. 

Cooper Kupp   Credit: Fox Sports

The Rams won 20-17 in their eleventh NFCCG appearance and are now 4-7. In doing so Matthew Stafford set Ram record for completions (31), attempts (45), yards (337), and touchdowns (2) in an NFC Championship Game. Cooper "MVP" Kupp set marks for receptions (11), yards (142), and touchdowns (2). Odell Beckham Jr.'s nine catches (second) and 113 yards (third) make top lists as well.

The Rams defense allowed 282 yards, good for eighth out of eleven games even though 282 yards is an excellent total in this day and age. The 17 points the Rams allowed was good for the fourth-best in NFC title games.

The run defense allowed 50 yards on 20 carries (2.5-yard average gain) good for the second-fewest rushing yards allowed by Rams in a Conference Championship game. The 2.5 yards per carry is also the second-best. The best was the 2018 records from the Saints game (21-48-2.3-0). And obviously, the zero rushing touchdowns are tied for first, being the fifth time that has occurred.

It was a solid night for the Rams.

As for the Bengals, this was just their third time to go to an AFCCG and they are now 3-0. Joe Burrow set the marks for completions, attempts, yards, and tied for the most touchdowns, besting Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason's marks.

Both games were excellent and it will be a good matchup in Los Angeles in two weeks for all the marbles.