Super Bowl LVI (56th Edition) did not disappoint. The bar was set high by the LA Rams and Cincinnati Bengals just to qualify for the finals. The playoffs have been one of the most entertaining and competitive of All-Time. Both teams showed resilience in their march to the big game. The Cincinnati Bengals needed a field goal on the last play of the game against the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional round of the AFC playoffs to sneak away with the victory. Then, after being down (21-3) to Patrick Mahomes and the KC Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, the man with more nicknames than days of the week. Joe Burrows (Aka: Joey B, Joe Shiesty, Joey Franchise, Jackpot Joey, Joe Cool, Joe Chill, Smokin Joe, Joe Brrr or The Tiger King) to name a few, put his team on his back and got the game into overtime. In overtime he got his team down to the KC zone and their FG kicker Evan McPherson chipped in a 31 Yarder to win the game and qualify Cincy to the Super Bowl.
The LA Rams had a very similar heroic journey to the finals by beating the GOAT Tom Brady in the Divisional playoff round. After taking a commanding (27-3 lead). Tom Brady and Tampa Bay battled back to tie the game with only 46 seconds left in the 4th quarter. LA Rams QB Matthew Strafford did the unimaginable and got his team in FG position with only 4 seconds left, and his FG kicker Matt Gay won the game with a 30 Yard kick. The LA Rams had another nail-biter in the NFC Championship game. After being down (17-7) going into the 4th Quarter. Strafford once again got his team even at (17-17), then with less than 2 minutes left in the game he got his team into the SF 49ers zone and his kicker Matt Gay kicked another 30 Yard FG, to get them into the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams came up clutch against some great teams and Hall of Fame competition – to earn a spot in the biggest game of the year!
After a boring one-sided game at last year’s Super Bowl. This year’s game shaped up to be one for the ages. In first possessions both teams were tight. They were playing very conservative and instead of trying to make big plays they both were playing like they did not want to make mistakes. With good starting field position at the 50 Yard line, the LA Rams took 6 plays and Strafford found Odel Beckham JR in the end zone for the games first TD to give them a (7-0) lead. Cincinnati scored a late first quarter FG to make it (7-3). Early in the second quarter Strafford hooked up with WR Cooper Kupp to take a (13-3) lead after the extra point was missed. Joe Burrows matched that TD with a pass of his own to RB Joe Mixon to close the gap to (13-10) going into halftime.
After an electrifying halftime show, Cincinnati Bengals came out with high energy of their own and scored a TD on the very first play from scrimmage. Joey Franchise found his WR Tee Higgins on a 75 Yard bomb earning their first lead in the game (17-13) and took over the momentum of the game. The energy from the Bengals offense rubbed off on their defense as they intercepted Strafford’s first play from scrimmage in the second half and quickly marched down the field to score once again. This time scoring a 3-point FG extending their lead to (20-13). The LA Rams settled down and punched back, manufacturing a 10-play possession to score a FG of their own and reduce the Bengal lead to (20-16). Both teams’ defensive units stepped up after that and no more points were scored until the end of the 4th quarter.
With 6:13 left on the clock and down (20-16). Matthew Strafford who has shown to have a clutch gene in his DNA, went to work. Coming off a couple of comeback victories already in these playoffs, Matthew was ready to make history and put a new stamp on his already impressive career. A Super Bowl ring would raise his status amongst the Quarterback greats and potentially add his name into Hall Of Fame consideration. Strafford started an 18-play drive that took 4:48. He picked the Bengals defense apart gaining 15 rushing yards and 57 passing yards, marching 72 yards to the Bengals End Zone. Wide Receiver Conner Rupp was an integral target for Matthew Strafford. He found Rupp four times via the air and one time on the ground on this winning drive. Conner went 4-4 (39 Yards) and one vital (4th down and 1 yard) run to convert an important first down to keep the drive, alive.
With only 1:25 left, Joe Burrows had an opportunity to win the game and snatch the victory however joining Conner Rupp in the Super Bowl MVP chatter was LA Rams, Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald. He made two back-to-back game defining defensive plays to solidify the Championship. First with only 0:48 seconds left and the Bengals sitting (3rd down & 1 yard) Donald comes up with a rushing snuff, showing immense strength fighting off his blocker and at the same time tackling the Bengals RB Joe Mixon short of the first down marker. Now (4th down & 1 yard) and the Super Bowl on the line, the ball is snapped and like a cannon Aaron Donald gets off the line quickly and in the blink of an eye has Joe Burrows in his grasp. He flings him around and in one last ditch attempt, Burrows tries to hit his receiver with desperate pass, but to no avail. The LA Rams are your 2022 Super Bowl Champions. WR Connor Rupp beats out his teammate Aaron Donald who was just as deserving, winning the MVP award – finishing the game with (8 receptions for 92 Yards and 1 important rush for 7 yards) getting that important first down on the fourth quarter drive that he also scored to winning touchdown!
Great playoffs – Great halftime show – Great Super Bowl!!!
