One of the greatest stretches of playoff games in my lifetime culminated in one of the more random Super Bowl matches in recent memory, as the Rams and Bengals were tossed together to pump out a final battle of wills to decide the Lombardi Trophy. It's another palm sweater and knee trembler, folks, buckle up.
#4 Los Angeles Rams (23) def. #4 Cincinnati Bengals (20)
A little home cooking for the Rams in this one, as in front of a somewhat loyal "City of Angels", Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and the assorted troops brought Sean McVay to the promised land, 3 years after McVay was soundly thumped in his matchup with Bill Belichick. It was dicey for LA throughout, with the early injury to Odell Beckham crippling their receiving corps, an inability to run the ball allowing Cincy to commit extra defenders to the pass, and a secondary that had some of their aggressiveness exploited by big plays for the Bengals' electric receiver trio. But, with admittedly, some ticky-tack flags right around the goalline, LA got the go-ahead touchdown from Kupp, putting that vaunted defense out there, tasked with keeping Evan McPherson on the sideline. Yet again, it was ropey, as Jalen Ramsey was burned by Ja'Marr Chase, but it was the Bengals' consistently conservative play-calling that bit them in the end. A run on 3rd and short at midfield was stuffed by Aaron Donald, who then slammed the door shut, pressuring Joe Burrow just enough, as the young QB working on a bad wheel couldn't get enough on his panicked checkdown. That play design, for the record, was very similar to how Cincy closed out Kansas City in the AFC Championship, as Tee Higgins was once again running the in route that was so effective two weeks ago, only for it to be taken away. These were two wickedly intelligent and physical defenses that both gave it as good as they got, and for it to end on an electric duo of plays by Donald, who has to be cemented now as one of the best to ever do it, was the only logical conclusion. You can send some flak towards the officials; I certainly didn't love how trigger-happy they got with Cincy's final stand, and that missed facemask by Higgins on his touchdown to open the second half was maddening, but the Bengals got their chance, and couldn't contain the NFL's most ferocious monster. It's as simple as that.
When we talk legacy, this was obviously a huge boost for everyone in that Rams locker room, but none more so, I feel, than Matthew Stafford. He exorcised a lot of demons tonight, and while he wasn't perfect (against that Bengals defense, who would be?), he made every play he needed to. It's also massive redemption for Odell Beckham and Sean McVay, two guys that have come under fire for various reasons, and for Donald, it's a coronation. He and Kupp have been the glue that held this roster together for the past 5 years, and absolutely nobody deserves this more, they remain two of the best in the business.
On the Cincinnati side, while I do see the potential to bounce back from this, especially with the youth of their main stars, there's a lot of work to be done if this team is making it back to the dance. That offensive line needs a complete revamp, and you can probably use less Eli Apple, there's gotta be someone you could draft that could fill that role. There is a nucleus in place right now for the Bengals, and it's been a while since we could truthfully say that, so there's still some cause for celebration of what these guys accomplished this year. Keep everyone together, and happy, and just keep plugging away. The NFL really is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you can keep him off the turf, Cincinnati has a hell of a runner in Joe Burrow.
All in all, this was an excellent Super Bowl, easily the best since Malcolm Butler's interception. I can't speak to the rest of the experience being on the same level; I had fun with a few of the ads and the halftime show, but it was a slog at points. As a football fan, though, these playoffs are already a cherished part of my life, and I hope some of the positive trends with officiating and game management that were built up throughout these past few weeks are implemented more often in the future. Fix those overtime rules, and you got a stew going, Roger. Congratulation/deepest condolences to the good folks of St. Louis, whichever you prefer. In honor of our reigning Offensive Player of the Year, and Super Bowl MVP, I'll finish this post out with a hearty COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP. Go out and read a nice novel, or enjoy some fresh-brewed coffee, my man. You earned it.
- Henry
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