2022 Super Bowl Preview

Super Bowl LVI is hours away, and the unexpected showdown featuring Cincy and LA will prove to be a grand spectacle. How we got here:

Super Bowl Sunday is here! The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals face off in one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory. Legacies are built on storylines and this is the chance for so many players to get their first ring.

You can take Stafford off the Lions, but you can't take the Lions out of Stafford

When the Rams and Lions swapped quarterbacks over a year ago, Rams General manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay revealed their hand for the upcoming season. Going “all-in” with the loaded roster and acquiring one of the most clutch quarterbacks currently playing put the team in excellent position to make a deep playoff run. On the flip side it also gave Lions fans and the rest of the NFL a chance to see such an underrated player given a chance to find playoff success. With his first Super Bowl appearance today Stafford, Detroit and LA fans are hoping to see the quarterback cement his legacy and build his case for the Hall of Fame.

The Best Defensive Player of All time?

When Aaron Donald was drafted out of Pittsburgh in 2014, thinking he would be the greatest defensive player of all time was not even a thought. At the time JJ Watt was tearing up offensive lines and Lawrence Taylor was widely regarded as the best on the defensive side for a long time. But with three Defensive Player of the Year awards and seven consecutive First Team All-Pros it's hard to argue otherwise. Donald is electric wherever he lines up and has the skills to play from the nose to the edge. Aaron has also been in this position before. After failing to win a ring against the Patriots three years ago, Donald is back with extra motivation and reinforcements. Snead provided Donald help with first round pick Leonard Floyd, Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, and lockdown corner Jalen Ramsey.

Heisman, Natty, Super Bowl Champ?

The 2019 LSU Tigers Football team will go down as one of the greatest College Football teams of all time. Led by Joe Burrow, that year's Heisman winner, the team put up a strong performance in the win against Clemson. Drafted to the Bengals shortly after, it was expected that a rebuild would come over the next few years. Only two seasons later and the team with +15000 preseason odds is on the cusp of winning it all. Throughout the season Burrow delivered at an elite level coming off his ACL tear and winning Comeback Player of the Year honors. Burrow has the support of Cincinnati as the team makes its first Super Bowl appearance since 1989.

“Can’t believe they drafted a receiver over an offensive lineman”

The receipts are there for critics and myself included. When the 2021 NFL Draft rolled around, I was hoping the Bengals took an offensive lineman to protect their franchise quarterback. An ACL tear for Burrow earlier that season emphasized just how important drafting protection upfront would be. When the Bengals selected Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow’s former LSU teammate, I was stunned. In hindsight pairing the best college Wide Receiver that year with his Heisman winning quarterback makes so much sense, and the payoff was huge. Ja’Marr silenced the critics, catching 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Like Burrow, Chase has the chance to add to his already filled trophy cabinet and add to the greatest rookie receiving season of all time.

Predictions

Sean

While Ja’Marr and Burrow are an exciting duo, I think the Rams win a close one thanks to some late game heroics of Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. Kupp has torched opposing secondaries all year and I believe will do it again on the biggest stage. His route running and the ability for the offense to make the defense bite on Play Action is a lethal combo that will lead to a win. 28 - 24 Rams.

Tristin

The scoring will be fast and furious, but after the dazzling Halftime Show the tempo will slow down and it will be a field goal battle between McPherson and Gay. The Los Angeles defense should hold Joe Brrrr down in the second half. 27-21 Rams