Super Bowl LVI just hours away
Bengals and Rams shaping up for Super Bowl spectacular
By Dónal Ryan
AS the Cincinatti Bengals and the LA Rams gear up for one of the biggest sporting events of the year, we’ll take a look at all that’s at stake for both teams, with the Bengals looking to pull off a massive shock against their Los Angeles counterparts in just a few hours’ time.
Our preview of Super Bowl LVI includes reviews of both teams seasons, a look at both coaches, and who we think will be victorious come the early hours of Monday morning.
Season Overview
Cincinnati Bengals: The Cincinnati Bengals finished the normal season with a 10-7 record, which is a better win total than both of their previous seasons combined. Their impressive run included a first winning season, first playoff appearance, and first AFC North title since 2015.
Having reached the playoffs through the wild card round, they embarked on a giant-killing run, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs on the way to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.
LA Rams: The Rams have had a good season, improving on their normal season record by finishing on an impressive 12-5. Their previous best of 10-6 was beaten in Week 16 after a win over the Minnesota Vikings.
They also sealed their playoff place in the same week and capped a good season by winning their division for the first time since 2018. Their run to the Super Bowl included wins against the Arizona Cardinals, an unforgettable game against the defending champions, Tampa Bay Buccanneers (ultimately retiring Tom Brady), and a hard-fought 20-17 victory against the San Francisco 49ers, so sealed their passage to the Super Bowl.
The Coaches
Zac Taylor (Bengals): A young head coach by normal standards, 38-year-old Taylor has been instrumental in the Bengals’ rise. Head coach since 2019, Taylor has transformed the Bengals into a force as they look to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy.
While embarking on their crazy playoff run, Taylor remarked to the Cincinnatti Enquirer: “I don't think anybody wants to play us, quite frankly. And we haven’t won all the games that we felt like we should’ve won.
“But I think our guys have a ton of confidence, and people see what they’re about, see the talent we’ve got in all three phases, and see that we’re going to fight to the last second.”
It looks as though he might be proven right.
Sean McVay (LA Rams): In similar circumstances to Taylor, McVay is young by NFL head coach standards. The youngest ever head coach in modern NFL history when he was first appointed six years ago at the age of 30; he is already quite accomplished, having reached the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2019.
With the loss in 2019 still very fresh in the memory, McVay is taking a different approach to the Super Bowl this time around, claiming that his biggest headache has been ticket requests from friends and family!
Speaking to Ramswire (an official LA Rams fan website), the 36-year-old quipped: “I told my fiancée that if I have to answer any questions about tickets, then that person is not getting any!”
Whether his mood will be as upbeat after the Super Bowl remains to be seen.
Who is going to win?
Although the Bengals have surprised everyone with their run to the Super Bowl, their quarterback, Joe Burrow is currently in much better form than the Rams’ Matthew Stafford.
The Rams will ultimately be favourites to win the game, but if the Bengals can keep Burrow protected, there’s no telling what damage can be done -- in the game of the year that is predictably unpredictable.
Super Bowl LVI kicks off 11.30pm GMT on Sky One and BBC One tonight.