Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor has been the target of criticism this season, particularly with his in-game management and the ability to adjust to defenses. Much of this revolves around some glaring losses this year to the New York Jets and twice to the Cleveland Browns. Well, it seems like Taylor has managed to right some of these wrongs during the playoffs, particularly with how the Bengals defense managed to shut down the Kansas City offense in the AFC Championship game. Taylor has always been an offensive coach, with a long history of coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers. As the season went on he has felt more comfortable giving Joe Burrow a longer leash, especially with fourth down conversions. This is also likely a result of seeing how Burrow responded after returning from a torn ACL this season. The main thing to watch for is how often the Rams blitz Joe Burrow, given how successful the quarterback is under pressure. My belief is the Rams will drop back into coverage more often than not, and rely on its strong defensive line to get after Burrow. It will be up to Taylor to craft a game plan that I believe will focus on Tee Higgins in the middle of the field, opening up a deep shot for Ja’Marr Chase as well. Taylor doesn’t deserve most of the criticism he has seen, and looks poised to have one of the dominant rosters in the AFC for the next decade or more.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
McVay finally slayed the dragon that was the San Francisco 49ers and his long-time friend Kyle Shanahan. He enters Super Bowl 56 with one of his strongest overall offensive units, and has the best chance to win with quarterback Matthew Stafford under center. McVay will be looking to be the second coach in the history of the NFL and the second in as many years to win the Super Bowl as the host team. The Rams are humming on offense. With the additions of Matthew Stafford, Odell Beckham Jr., Sony Michel, and the return of Cam Akers, this squad is loaded. Not to mention McVay and Stafford’s favorite target Cooper Kupp. Stafford should have time to throw, as the Bengals’ defensive line hasn’t been able to get through to quarterbacks as much as you would think. When Stafford has time, he has the accuracy and the arm to make major chunk plays down the field. The key matchup might end up being Beckham against Eli Apple. The Bengals did a decent job of shutting down Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce last week, but McVay will move Kupp and Beckham all over the field. The status of tight end Tyler Higby is also up in the air, although backup tight end Kendall Blanton showed up with a 5 catch for 57 yard performance against the 49ers. McVay himself has struggled with being tentative late in close games, and it cost him in his last Super Bowl appearance against the Patriots. This time, I suspect McVay will have more confidence in Stafford to make a fourth down conversion if needed. McVay has a lot to prove in this Super Bowl, and will need this win to legitimize his status amongst the elite head coaches in the NFL.
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