In an informal poll taken at All-Star Game Media Day, Burrow and the Bengals held a slight edge over Stafford and the Rams as the pick to win the big game.
"I'm going to go with the Bengals," Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk said. "You have to ride the hot team. You've got to ride 'Joey Ice' right now."
Burrow has certainly showed ice in his veins leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl since 1989. In his second NFL season, the 25-year-old helped Cincinnati defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, the top-seeded Tennessee Titans and the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
"I like Cincinnati to win." Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. "Younger team, and it would be special if they win. If Joe Burrow doesn't] lose in the playoffs, it [would be] pretty incredible."
"I hope 'Joey B' wins, but we'll see where it goes,' New Jersey Devils forward
[Jack Hughes
said.
Stafford is in his 13th NFL season but first with the Rams after playing 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions. He helped Los Angeles defeat the Arizona Cardinals, the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NFC West Division rival San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. It will the Rams' fifth trip to the Super Bowl and second in the past four seasons. They lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, and are 1-3 in the game. The Bengals are 0-2.
"My fiancee is from Detroit, so she's pulling for L.A.," Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko said. "She wants Stafford to get one, she thinks he deserves it, and I can't disagree with her.
"But it's fun to watch Joe Burrow. He's got some swag. I like watching him on the field. So I don't know. We'll see. I think the Rams are maybe a little bit more experienced. You know, they played the Super Bowl not too long ago. Bigger game for sure."
Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin said he also is playing the Detroit angle in rooting for Stafford.
"Rams. Rams all the way," Larkin said. "'Staff' hopefully, he gets it done. … I'd love to see him win."
Anaheim Ducks forwards Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry were torn between the hometown Rams and Burrow.
"Rams, Rams all day," Zegras said. "Or 'Joey Bear,' I don't know. I like them both."
"I don't know. I mean, I want to say the Rams but I've become a huge fan of Joe Burrow," Terry said. "I think he's hard to go against right now. I don't know if that answers your question. I want to say the Rams, but I could see it going either way."
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell also was torn.
"It's been great football this playoffs and being from Detroit, I love the Lions and it's great to see Matthew Stafford get a shot," Campbell said. "But I also like Smokin' Joe Burrow too, so it'll be a great game and fun to watch."
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl said he is taking the Bengals but didn't have an answer when asked why.
"No, I couldn't name you a reason," he said.
Perhaps Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski summed it up best.
"I think I'm going to be cheering for the Bengals, but I kind of see the Rams winning," he said. "No team has won at home until last year with Tampa Bay, and I think that trend continues. I'm going with the Rams."
