After a 29-year absence, the NFL Championship Game returns to the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles.
And with Super Bowl 56 taking place in their own SoFi stadium, the Rams did everything to make sure they were part of the big show.
In the six years since the franchise returned to Los Angeles from St Louis, they’ve built a star-studded roster befitting Tinseltown and their shiny new stadium.
And the bet is successful. They will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Sunday’s title decider and British defensive end Jack Crawford will be part of the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary team in Los Angeles.
“Part of me wants the Bengals to succeed, it would be huge for the team, the city and the fans,” he said. “But I can’t bet against Aaron Donald.
“Now that Tom Brady is retired, I think he’s the best player in the NFL, in every position. In a match like this, where there is so much tension, I have the feeling that he will take over.”
Here, Crawford, who was unable to play for the Arizona Cardinals last season due to injury, showcases the big names looking to secure the Rams’ second Super Bowl win.
Aaron Donald (defensive tackle, 30)
Drafted by the Rams in 2014, Donald is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and helped LA reach Super Bowl 53, where they lost to the New England Patriots.
Donald is on the small side for a defensive tackle, but uses his physical ability to get past his opponents and chase down the quarterback. He now has 102 career sacks, including 14 in total this season.
“A lot of people have speed, strength, explosiveness or flexibility, but he has it all,” Crawford said.
“He’s as strong as anyone in the NFL, his hands are very precise and he plays with leverage – to get under the pads of the offensive lineman. [and get past them].
“As a defensive lineman, I understand how difficult it is to do what he does consistently, when teams try to get him out of play – but he’s still the most disruptive defensive lineman in the game. the league.
“In the defensive line room, when the coach would put on the Aaron Donald tape, we used to say ‘what’s the point of watching that? He’s just a different kind of human.'”
Von Miller (outside linebacker, 32)
In November, the Rams traded two picks in this year’s draft for sign Miller of the Denver Broncos.
The second draft pick in 2011, he was named the game’s most valuable player as he helped Denver win Super Bowl 50. He already has five sacks in eight games with LA.
“He’s similar to Aaron Donald in that he’s the complete package,” Crawford said.
“In the defensive line room, we talk about ‘folding the corner’ – when a defensive end rushes at the quarterback and forces the offensive tackle back, how far can the linebacker stay all running at an angle to the quarterback?
“It makes it harder for the offensive lineman to get a hold of you, and that’s something Von Miller does better than anyone. He has the balance to stay low to the ground, bending his body while running at full speed.”
Jalen Ramsey (cornerback, 27)
The Rams gave up two first-round picks to sign Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars at the start of the 2019 season.
He remained a Pro Bowler every year and in the regular season tied his career high for tackles and interceptions.
“Some defensive backs you’ll never see in the weight room, some aren’t even some of the fastest players on the team,” Crawford said.
“But their instincts are on another level, and Jalen Ramsey’s ability to cover receivers is natural.
“The best DBs secure tackles and make sure they bring the receiver down, and he’s a good tackler. He’s physical but has finesse at the same time.”
Matt Stafford (quarterback, 34)
In March 2021, the Rams decided to leave Jared Goff and traded him along with three first draft picks to the Detroit Lions for Stafford.
After being the first draft pick of 2009, Stafford had used his big arm to quietly rack up 45,000 passing yards while rarely threatening the playoffs.
Now surrounded by elite talent, he tied for a career-high 41 forward touchdowns taking his first victory in a play-off – after 186 NFL games – and leading a winning workout in Tampa Bay.
“He’s a pocket passer and a dynamic quarterback,” Crawford said. “Once he’s in a rhythm, he can gas up the defense, and he’s got a lot of weapons in this offense.
“He’s proven that he can take control of a game and get wins. I can’t overstate how difficult it is to have a consistent, skilled and relatable quarterback with all the offensive players.”
Cooper Kupp (wide receiver, 28)
Kupp was not announced when he was selected with the 69th draft pick of 2017, but Stafford’s arrival led to a breakout season.
Kupp was named Offensive Player of the Year after winning the Triple Crown for most receptions (145), most receiving yards (1,947) and most receiving touchdowns (16) .
“Sometimes you get an unassuming receiver who isn’t in the spotlight at first, but over time his stats speak for themselves,” Crawford said.
“He reminds me of Cole Beasley or Julian Edelman, a consistent receiver with sure hands, and they bring another level of confidence to the quarterback.
“You get these dynamic duos and once they warm up it opens up opportunities for all the other attacking players, including the running game.”
Odell Beckham Jr (wide receiver, 29)
Unlike Kupp, “OBJ” has been a star since the New York Giants drafted him in 2014, with a one-handed touchdown in his rookie season going viral.
Since then, his career has been disrupted by injury, with a move to the Cleveland Browns previously not working out. the Rams signed him as a free agent in November.
He now has six touchdowns in 11 games for Los Angeles, including his first in the playoffs, and had his most receiving yards in more than two years. in their NFC Championship victory.
“I was up for this piece [the one-handed catch]for Dallas at the Giants, and thought it was a [penalty] flag against him and a drop,” Crawford said.
“I was like ‘there’s no way it’s a snag’ but then the crowd started going crazy. It was an amazing game and he’s been practicing those catches regularly.
“But he also has great speed. You can have a team supported on third down and then ‘bang’ it’s a 60-yard touchdown because he can just outrun everyone.”
