When the Dust Settled: Super Bow Pits L.A. Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals

January 31, 2022

The NFL playoffs continued to be wildly entertaining. Two scintillating games
decided who would face off in the Super Bowl. Like last week, both games were decided in the closing minutes, with another upset thrown in for good measure. 

In Kansas City, the Chiefs were heavily favored to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Things seemed to be going as planned as the Chiefs scored on their first three possessions. At the end of first half, the Chiefs had a first and goal from the one yard line after a pass interference penalty. However, they came away with no points. They left enough time for the Bengals quarterback to lead the Bengals on a touchdown drive to close the half.

Last week, the 49ers shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packer offense. The Bengals did the same to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense. The Bengals had a field goal to start the second half. Seconds later Mahomes was intercepted leading to a short touchdown drive. The Bengals then converted a two point conversion tying the score. They would take their first lead on a 52 yard field goal by rookie kicker Evan McPherson with a little over six minutes remaining. A Chiefs field goal with no time remaining, tied the score sending the game to overtime. This was their only points in the half. 

After winning the overtime coin flip most people thought the Chiefs would pull this one out. This was not to be, as Mahomes was picked off for the second time early in the OT. Another McPherson field goal punched the Bengals’ ticket to the Super Bowl.

 Not to be outdone, the L.A. Rams trailed the San Francisco 49ers 17-7 entering the fourth quarter. The 49ers’ big guns had built this lead. Jimmy Garoppolo connected on touchdown passes to wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who had 98 total yards, and tight end George Kittle.

The staunch Ram defense pitched a shut-out in the fourth quarter and their offense came alive. The NFL’s top receiver Cooper Kupp caught his second touchdown pass and a Matt Gay field goal tied the score at 17. While Rams QB Matt Stafford heated up, the 49ers’ offense struggled. Stafford led another long drive leading to another Gay field goal with less than two minutes to go for a 20-17 lead. A San Francisco comeback ended in three plays with an interception. 

So it’s the upstart Bengals, playing the Rams on their home field in the Super Bowl. This is the second straight year the game is being played on one of the participants’ home field. The Rams are slight favorites to win. All of my predictions have been wrong in both rounds. Therefore, because I want the Bengals to win I’m picking the Rams. Let’s hope this isn’t a snoozer like last year.