Super Bowl LVI Preview
Expect the unexpected.
It’s a phrase that NFL fans have come to live by since the opening week of this exhilarating campaign, all the way up to Super Bowl LVI.
After three weeks of must-watch playoff football, which included eight one-possession games, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams are set to face off on the biggest stage in professional sports on Sunday.
As of now, the Rams are entering the game as heavy favorites with a 66.3% chance of victory, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.
How They Got Here
Leading up to their current status as conference champions, both teams displayed some of the most promising ups and devastating downs of any squad this season.
Over the past few years, Los Angeles has seemingly mortgaged its future for immediate success. Previous acquisitions such as Brandin Cooks, Jalen Ramsey, Sony Michel and Matthew Stafford have left the Rams with two selections in the first four rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Despite a 7-1 start, there were still questions surrounding the team’s status as contenders following a pair of unconvincing victories and sloppy performances from Stafford.
Instead of succumbing to the backlash of their gutsy tactics, General Manager Les Snead doubled down on his roster-building process.
The Rams acquired pass rusher Von Miller from the Denver Broncos for a pair of picks, followed by the signing of Odell Beckham Jr.
It didn’t happen overnight, but this star-studded lineup is now shining bright in the City of Angels. Stafford has grown increasingly comfortable every week, assisted by a dominant defense.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati has made its return to postseason glory in style.
With a young roster and a quarterback coming off reconstructive knee surgery, the Bengals were an afterthought in a competitive AFC North entering the season; the prospect of their 31-year playoff victory drought coming to an end in 2021 was laughable.
A few cigars and game-winning kicks later, the league’s latest Cinderella team has a chance to capture its first Super Bowl title.
Led by the explosive duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals’ offense made a momentous leap in scoring from last year, jumping from 29th in the league to seventh.
While the offseason signings of Larry Ogunjobi, Trey Hendrickson, Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton went under the radar at the time, they all played key roles in the late emergence of Cincinnati’s championship caliber defense.
This inexperienced group displayed the poise of postseason regulars all January, capping off an incredible AFC playoff run with an overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Matchup Preview
At first glance, the glaring factor of this game is how well Cincinnati’s offensive line is going to fare against a fearsome Los Angeles front seven featuring All-Pros Aaron Donald and Miller.
In the divisional round, Burrow was sacked an astronomical nine times, becoming the second quarterback in postseason history to win after being sacked on eight or more occasions.
While Cincinnati’s all-black uniforms will hide any grass stains, the Bengals’ line may struggle to keep its quarterback on his feet on long-developing plays.
Lockdown cornerback Jalen Ramsey will likely shadow Ja’Marr Chase, so expect Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to receive a heavy workload in the passing game.
Even if the Bengals’ offense struggles early on, their defense has come through in the clutch time and time again.
With Cooper Kupp and Beckham Jr. at his disposal, Stafford is playing his most efficient ball of the season. However, with six interceptions in three playoff games, this ball-hawking Cincinnati secondary poses a serious threat.
In a tightly knit matchup that may come down to one possession, any singular turnover could be lethal. Considering both teams specialize in capitalizing on mistakes, only time will tell who will be able to handle the bright lights and ultimately take home the Lombardi Trophy.
Grant Sheets is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email gcs5231@psu.edu.
