'Something brewing up in Cincinnati': What ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown said of Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals' 2021 season will end today, win or lose, as the franchise plays in its third Super Bowl ever on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams in Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Tedy Bruschi, who helped beat the then St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl 20 years ago, sees similarities between the New England Patriots' first Super Bowl win in the 2001 season and this Bengals team. As the Bengals have a chance to make a fanbase's dream become reality.

"I’m so focused on the Cincinnati Bengals, fellas," Bruschi said on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown." "They have a chance to do something that has never been done. And that’s bring a Super Bowl championship to the city of Cincinnati.

"There are so many Cincinnati Bengals fans that have been waiting to break through."

"Sunday NFL Countdown" was one of the first pre-game shows to hit the airwaves on Sunday and the general consensus is: The Bengals have to slow down Aaron Donald.

"Here’s a problem, they got: Aaron Donald” Rex Ryan said. “You want to put those three fancy wide outs? Go ahead. You have to double Aaron Donald. That’s easier said than done.

"You're going to see this man living in the backfield like he always does."

The Bengals allowed 51 sacks in the regular season and 12 sacks in the playoffs, including a record nine sacks against the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.

Still, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow managed to guide the team to the Super Bowl.

"There was something brewing up in Cincinnati. Led by Joe Burrow," Randy Moss said. "… this man has showed the confidence, put the organization on his back.”

Travis Kelce joins Countdown

Cincinnati Bearcat legend Travis Kelce, who has had a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs, appeared on Sunday NFL Countdown and gave his thoughts on the Bengals-Rams game.

"(Joe Burrow) got those guys with like horse blinders," Kelce said. "They're not looking behind, looking sideways: they're looking at how they can attack the next play. That's special... they're dangerous."

Kelce's Chiefs lost twice to the Bengals, including in the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago. But Kelce's love for the Queen City hasn't diminished. Both he and his brother, Jason, the All-Pro center for the Philadelphia Eagles, played for the Bearcats in college.

When Kelce returned to the city and scored a touchdown in Week 17, he even gave a "UC" symbol when celebrating.

How can I watch the Bengals in the Super Bowl?

Super Bowl LVI is on NBC. Here is the broadcast team, which includes Bengals legend Cris Collinsworth.

• Al Michaels (play-by-play)

• Cris Collinsworth (analysis)

• Michele Tafoya (sideline)

• Kathryn Tappen(sideline)

• Terry McAulay (analysis)

Is Super Bowl 56 being streamed?

Super Bowl LVI is being streamed on any platform that carries NBC, like Hulu Live. It is also being streamed on NBC's own streaming service, Peacock.

Here is the Bengals radio broadcast information

The Cincinnati Bengals flagship stations are: 700 WLW, ESPN 1530 and 102.7 WEBN. Here are the announcers.

• Dan Hoard (play-by-play)

• Dave Lapham (analysis)

• Wayne Box Miller (pre-game)

Access all our Bengals coverage. Get a great deal by subscribing to the Enquirer today at https://cm.cincinnati.com/specialoffer.

Rams vs. Bengals history

• 2019: Los Angeles Rams 24, Bengals 10

• 2015: Bengals 31, St. Louis Rams 7

• 2011: Bengals 20, St. Louis Rams 13

• 2007: Bengals19, St. Louis Rams 10

• 2003: St. Louis Rams 27, Bengals10

• 1999: St. Louis Rams 38, Bengals 10

• 1996: St. Louis Rams 26, Bengals1 6

• 1993: Bengals15, Los Angeles Rams 3

• 1990: Bengals 34, Los Angeles Rams 31, OT

• 1984: Los Angeles Rams 24, Bengals 14

• 1981: Bengals 24, Los Angeles Rams 10

• 1978: Bengals 20, Los Angeles Rams 19

• 1976: Bengals 20, Los Angeles Rams12

• 1972: Los Angeles Rams15, Bengals12

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has never beaten the Bengals

Matthew Stafford, the former Pro Bowl quarterback of the Lions was the No.1 pick in NFL Draft in 2009. He has never beaten the Bengals in three games.

Stafford is 0-3 against the Bengals. Being a lifetime member of the NFC so far in his career, he hasn't played the Bengals much. But when he has it's not been too pretty.

Stafford has thrown three interceptions and been sacked five times against the Bengals. A quarterback with a career 63% passing completion rate, Stafford is about 11 points worse against the Bengals at 51.8% (58-of-112).

He has thrown for 703 yards and five touchdowns against the Bengals in those games.

Cincinnati Bengals 2021 schedule and the road to the Super Bowl

• Week 1: Bengals 27, Minnesota Vikings 24

• Week 2: Chicago Bears 20, Bengals 17

• Week 3: Bengals 24, Steelers 10

• Week 4: Bengals 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 21

• Week 5: Green Bay Packers 25, Bengals 22

• Week 6: Bengals 34, Detroit Lions 11

• Week 7: Bengals 41, Baltimore Ravens 17

• Week 8: New York Jets 34, Bengals 31

• Week 9: Cleveland Browns 41, Bengals 16

• Week 11: Bengals 32, Raiders 13

• Week 12: Bengals 41, Steelers 10

• Week 13: Los Angeles Chargers 41, Bengals 22

• Week 14: San Francisco 49ers 26, Bengals 23

• Week 15: Bengals 15, Denver Broncos 10

• Week 16: Bengals 41, Ravens 21

• Week 17: Bengals 34, Kansas City Chiefs 31

• Week 18: Browns 21, Bengals 16

• Wild-card round: Bengals 26, Raiders 19

• Divisional round: Bengals 19, Tennessee Titans 16

• AFC Championship Game: Bengals 27, Chiefs 24

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ESPN Sunday Countdown predictions: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Rams