Super Bowl LVI Recap: A Hollywood Ending

Super Bowl Sunday. Even as a diehard hockey fan, I know how absolutely sacred that day is. It's not like any other day. It's a day full of celebration, prestige, and pomp and circumstance--and that's when the game is in other cities. Super Bowl LVI emanated from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; though, let's face it, it's Hollywood. It's Los Angeles. And it's home NFC franchise, the Los Angeles Rams, were playing in their home stadium against a Cincinnati Bengals team who exceeded so many expectations. Regarding myself, I'm always excited for the Super Bowl, but for this one, I was extra elated, as it featured two teams I was happy for in regards to reaching this big game.

The game started slow offensively, but after the Rams defense forced a turnover on downs after a questionable attempt on 4th and 1, the Rams offense had a short field to work with, and it ended with the first touchdown of Super Bowl LVI, scored by Odell Beckham Jr. This was OBJ's first trip to the Super Bowl, and he was definitely making the most of it, not only opening the scoring in the big game, but giving football fans more of a reason to laugh at OBJ's former QB, Baker Mayfield. Cincy's next drive resulted in a punt, but when the received the ball again later in the quarter, a pass to Tee Higgins in the end zone was deflected by Jalen Ramsey, resulting in an Evan McLaughlin field goal.

It was 7-3 Rams after one, and LA would add to that with a 11-yard TD catch from Cooper Kupp. However, the extra point failed due to a bad snap, making it 13-3. The Bengals' drive would last seven minutes and would end with Joe Burrow handing off the ball to Joe Mixon, who tossed a beauty to Higgins for the touchdown, and all of a sudden, it was 13-10. The Bengals defense would later intercept Matthew Stafford in the quarter, but no additional scoring took place.

At halftime, the Rams led 13-10, and we would be treated to an immensely epic halftime show that featured Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and a surprise appearance by 50 Cent. I really loved this show, it featured a lot of my favorites performing the great hits dating back as early as my time in fifth grade (California Love), and mainly during my high school years. The halftime shows continue to improve every year.

It only took 12 seconds into the 3rd quarter for the Bengals to earn their first lead--a 75-yard TD pass to Tee Higgins putting Cincy ahead. The Rams' first drive of the 2nd half saw Stafford throw his second INT of the game, which the Bengals would turn into a field goal. Just like that, the Bengals led 20-13 and had a good chance to win their first championship. The defense held strong and only gave up a Rams field goal, but the Bengals entered the pivotal fourth quarter with the lead. The chance was there, especially since OBJ hurt his knee in the 2nd quarter and wouldn't return. Only one thing would stand in Cincinnati's way: that poor excuse for an offensive line.

Joe Burrow's had problems playing behind that line in his two years in the league. His rookie season ended prematurely due to an injury caused by a sack, and in this game, Burrow ended up banged up and in pain because of the bad protection in that line. He was sacked seven times in this game; which ties a Super Bowl record--Roger Staubach was sacked seven times in Super Bowl X. The sacks allowed the Rams to have a golden chance to win it, and it was during that drive that the penalties finally came in.

A defensive holding penalty gave the Rams first and goal, and this was after only two penalties were called on during the whole game. After a few more flags on both sides, Cooper Kupp caught his second touchdown of the game to put the Rams up 23-20 with 1:25 left in regulation. The Bengals still had a chance to at least get into field goal range and possibly force the second overtime in Super Bowl history. However, after Mixon failed to convert on 3rd and 1, that left a last chance 4th and 1 for the Bengals, and on that play, Aaron Donald got to Burrow, who got rid of the ball for an incomplete pass. That's a wrap! The Los Angeles Rams are Super Bowl Champions; cut, print, roll credits!

Matthew Stafford is a Super Bowl Champion. I want to say that again, because I'm so happy to do so: Matthew Stafford is a Super Bowl Champion. Here's a QB who I had to watch suffer for years on a terrible Detroit Lions team, and even though I am a fan of one of the Lions' divisional foes, I was (and am) a big Stafford fan. I felt for him. A good QB like that didn't deserve that much suffering and criticism; he was scapegoated for years for the Lions' terrible seasons, when the truth was that the Lions were just awful. So when he was traded to the Rams, I felt he was free. He would succeed and do well. I'll be honest, this was more than I expected--not only does he get to the Super Bowl in his first year in LA, he wins! What made me even happier for Stafford was seeing his close buddy, Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace Clayton Kershaw, at the game cheering on Stafford. Now they are both champions!

Here are some more sweeter words: Odell Beckham Jr is a Super Bowl Champion. The emotion we saw from OBJ on the sidelines? That was all of us. That was all of us who felt for him during his terrible ordeal in Cleveland, where he was unfairly scapegoated for the Browns' problems. In my case, I've been an OBJ supporter dating back to his time with the New York Giants; I've always felt that he was (and is) one of the best WRs in the NFL, and I always hated how he would be picked on and accused of having an arrogant attitude when he clearly doesn't. OBJ opened the scoring in the big game, but his game ended with the knee injury. Even so, his teammates finished the job and got it done. Congrats, OBJ! You have your ring!

I have become a huge fan of Cooper Kupp; and yes, part of it is because his efforts helped me win at Fantasy Football this season. But it's also because this guy is superhuman. He had a huge blockbuster season; leading the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16), which earned him the Offensive Player of the Year award. For his efforts in the game, Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP. He is the 8th wide receiver to earn the nod, joining a list that started with Lynn Swann and includes the legendary Jerry Rice. In addition, Aaron Donald finally got the ring that eluded him three years ago, as did head coach Sean McVay; both were in Super Bowl LIII. The win also served as redemption for Jalen Ramsay, who was on the Jacksonville Jaguars team that nearly reached the Super Bowl four years prior, and for Von Miller, this is his second ring (Miller was the MVP of Super Bowl 50).

Joe Burrow has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Not one thing. In only his sophomore year in the NFL, Burrow reached the Super Bowl...and nearly won it. However, despite Burrow's efforts, his offensive line plagued him once again and kept him from hoisting that Lombardi Trophy. The Bengals may have fallen short of their first championship, but they did game something else: legitimacy. This team is not to be taken lightly again. This is a serious threat now. This could be the team who runs the AFC North for many years to come. The Bengals are now an AFC heavyweight contender for the first time in over 30 years. All they need to do is get some good protection in front of Burrow, that's all.

The Rams are Super Bowl Champions for the second time in franchise history, but the first in Los Angeles--they were in St. Louis when they won Super Bowl XXXIV. They became the 3rd team to win Super Bowls in two different cities, joining the Colts (Baltimore and Indianapolis) and Raiders (Oakland and Los Angeles) on that short list. In fact, the Los Angeles Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII championship was the only other time that LA won a Super Bowl. Finally, the Rams won the Super Bowl in their home stadium, the second straight occurrence after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' win in Super Bowl LV.

Super Bowl LVI was the perfect ending to a very fun NFL season. It was a wild year that saw the debut of a 17th game, and ended with a thrilling Super Bowl between two amazing franchises. Super Bowl LVII will be played on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona, but the road to that game starts in the fall. For now, the Rams are celebrating an amazing season that was capped off with a championship win in their home stadium.