There are a few things associated with February: Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, and, of course, the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LVI took place on Sunday, Feb. 13, between the AFC Champions, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the NFC Champions, the Los Angeles Rams. As for the result, the Rams took down the Bengals with a score of 23-20.
Both teams were coming off incredible seasons. The Bengals finished the season with a record of 10-7, winning the AFC North for the first time since 2005 by defeating teams such as the Chiefs and the Titans. The Rams went all in this season, and it paid off. They finished the season with a record of 12-5, knocking off teams such as the Buccaneers and the 49ers.
Both the Bengals and Rams wielded ultra-talented quarterbacks who led them to the big game. The Rams were led by quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford played for the Detroit Lions for 12 years, never winning a playoff game before being traded to the Rams in the offseason. Stafford has a rocket arm, precise passing, and much experience. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is a fan favorite. Burrow wields great accuracy and decision-making and is cool, calm, and collected under pressure. The matchup between Burrow and Stafford made the Super Bowl a compelling watch.
The Super Bowl itself started slow, as the first score came halfway through the first quarter. Stafford delivered a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The Bengals responded with kicker Evan McPherson putting three points on the board with a field goal. The first quarter ended with a score of 7-3.
In the second quarter, Stafford found leading wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp open in the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown pass; however, the extra point was muffed, leaving a point off the board. The Bengals responded by bringing out the razzle-dazzle as running back Joe Mixon threw a six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins. The Bengals closed the gap and the first half ended with a score of 13-10.
The second half started with a bang. Burrow fired a bomb to Higgins for a 75-yard-touchdown, and just like that, the Bengals took the lead. The sudden change in momentum took effect on the Rams offense, as Stafford threw an interception to Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton. The Bengals capitalized with a McPherson field goal, giving the Bengals a seven-point lead in the third quarter. The Rams, however, didn’t panic. Stafford led the offense down the field for a field goal, cutting the lead down to four.
Heading into the fourth quarter, both defenses went into high gear, leaving each offense stalled. The Rams got the ball back with around six minutes left in the game when they began piecing together a long drive that brought them to the one-yard line with 90 seconds left. Stafford threw a floater to the corner of the endzone to Kupp for the touchdown, and the Rams took the lead back.
The Bengals had one final chance to tie the game with a field goal or win the game with a touchdown. Burrow and the Bengals found themselves with a 4th and 1 at midfield with 43 seconds left. They attempted a passing play, but Burrow was pressured immediately by superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald who slung Burrow to the ground. This led to an incompletion, securing the Super Bowl for the Los Angeles Rams.
KO sophomore Ian Russell gave his input on the game. “I wasn’t surprised at the outcome,” he said. “I expected the Rams to win. I wanted to see Burrow and Bengals get a ring though.”
Overall, this year’s Super Bowl was between two likable and worthy teams who both wielded superstar quarterbacks and star-studded rosters. The fan-favorite Bengals fell just short of their first Super Bowl victory; however, Burrow is capable of leading his team to another Super Bowl. Until that happens, the Los Angeles Rams celebrate their second Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
