Quarter-backs to decide outcome of Super Bowl LVI

Super Bowl Countdown: Los Angeles Rams v Cincinnati Bengals

By Michael Bolton

EXCITEMENT is building ahead of the 56th edition of the Super Bowl, as the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals compete in this year’s showpiece.

Both teams will hope to finally end their drought for success. The Rams last triumph came in 1999, when they defeated the Titans. However, they have never won the Super Bowl while the franchise has been in Los Angeles, with their only success coming in St Louis.

Indeed, their disappointing showing in the 2018 loss to the Patriots was the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history, as they suffered a 13-3 loss.

The Bengals will hope that it’s third time the charm as they have lost both of their previous Super Bowl appearances to San Francisco.

Just like every Super Bowl, the quarter-backs will be crucial to their sides’ chances of victory. However, this season will see two players, who would have thought success looked unlikely at the beginning of the campaign, go head-to-head.

Since his move to the Rams, quarter-back Matthew Stafford has enjoyed his best season. Stafford spent 12 campaigns with the Detroit Lions, where he failed to win a play-off game, and only appeared in three.

This season has seen a huge change in his fortunes, with Stafford’s statistics up there with the very best in the game. His 41 passing touchdowns is only second to Tom Brady’s 43.

Speaking in the Rams post-game interview following their victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Stafford revealed his happiness with the success he and his teammates have had this season.

“I’m blessed to be part of this team and this coaching staff; you can’t write this story any better. I’m just having a blast playing ball with these guys.”

While Stafford has been in the game for several years, the same cannot be said for his opposite number Joe Burrow, who is competing in just his second NFL season.

Despite only being 25, Burrow’s performances could easily mistake him for an experienced quarter-back who has been there and won it all. His composure and ability to adapt in difficult situations means the Bengals will always have a chance of victory.

Victory on Sunday would put him in among some of the best in the game. Only Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger have won the Super Bowl at a younger age.

Speaking after victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Burrow’s calmness and confidence on the pitch was observed in the way he spoke, as he appeared unphased by the thought of the biggest sporting moment of his career,

“If you told me at the start of the season that we would be going to the Super Bowl I’d probably have called you crazy; but, then, we played the whole season and nothing surprises me.”

Highly rated by so many at a young age, even Brady has been impressed by Burrow’s progress and ability to come back from a serious injury. Brady made the comments on the TBD Tribute.

“I think Joe’s got some tools I didn’t quite have at his age, so super impressed by how he’s come into the league and went to Cincinnati, which hasn’t been an easy place to play over the years.”

While Brady’s retirement has made all the headlines, both Stafford and Burrow will hope to create their own this weekend.

For Stafford, victory on Sunday will be his reward for a long, difficult journey, one in which he has had to overcome to achieve success.

For Burrow, we could be witnessing the start of a new era.

•Channels: Sky Sports Main Event/ Sky Sports NFL/ BBC One (11:30pm, Irish Time)