The Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams square off in this year’s Super Bowl this Sunday. While some schools near Cincinnati have cancelled classes for the following Monday, calling it a Snow-Dey, Cleveland Browns fans throughout the state of Ohio are left out in the cold.
For years, the AFC North has been considered a “ground and pound where defense matters” division. Narratives around cold weather, snow and the legacy of being “tough” lead to fans and media prioritizing rushing attacks and defense.
The statement “defense wins championships” has been echoed throughout the sport since Paul “Bear” Bryant uttered them all those years ago.
