Everyone knew Superbowl LVI was going to be an amazing game. After all, it would feature two teams that no one saw coming. After six straight, tremendous playoff games that came down to the wire, it was time for the main event. The 16-5 Los Angeles Rams would be facing against the underdog team, the surprising 13-8 Cincinatti Bengals. 

Many people were rooting for the Bengals, simply because they were the underdogs. Just a few years ago, they were the worst team in the league, but after acquiring quarterback Joe Burrow, things took a turn for the better. And with the hiring of a new, young coach, the team was finally starting to make important plays when needed. After defeating the best teams in the ACF, like the number one seed Tennesse Titans and the number two seed Kansas City Chiefs, this fourth seed was in the Superbowl, over thirty years ago. 

Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson riled everyone up minutes before the game, making people cheer so loud, sometimes the Rock’s booming voice was drowned out. Following his introduction, it was time for the coin flip. The Bengals won the coin toss, and chose to get the ball in the beginning of the second half, giving the Rams first possession. And finally, at around 6:30 p.m., the Bengals kicked the ball off, sparking the 2022 Superbowl. The Rams couldn’t do anything with the ball, and after a sack and many yards to make up in fourth down, they were forced to punt it, giving the Bengals quick possession early on. 

They had an amazing first play, and were close to getting a first down, but couldn’t convert in the second and third down, and even though early in the game and at mid field, decided to go for the fourth down. Joe Burrow threw over where they needed to go, but the ball was broken up, and suddenly, the Rams were in perfect position to score, at the very least, a field goal. After a few plays and slowly moving their way down the field, the Rams scored a touchdown followed with an extra point with 6:22 left in the first quarter. 

The Bengals received possession of the ball once again, but just like last time, couldn’t do anything with it. They learned from last time, and decided to punt it on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Rams for another drive. But just like the try before them, they couldn’t do anything, and were forced to punt it. 

The Bengals started strong, with an amazing run, followed by a great throw to Ja’Marr Chase that sent the team across the field, placing them within field goal distance. Sadly, they failed to connect in the endzone, and were forced to settle for a field goal, putting three points on the scoreboard for the Bengals, ending the first quarter with a score of 7-3, the Rams on top. 

In the beginning of the second quarter, the Rams received the ball and made very crucial plays to make it towards their endzone for another touchdown. But disaster struck when trying for the extra point. The Rams failed to catch the ball when lining up for the kick, forcing them to throw the ball instead of going for the extra point. This failed, and the Bengals recovered the ball after a bad pass. They couldn’t do anything with it, but that failed extra point would possibly be terrible for the Rams later in the game. 

The Bengals started with the ball again, the score now 13-3. But this time, they would be able to do something with the ball. After many runs down the field, they made it within field goal range, and then the unthinkable happened. Joe Burrow tossed the ball back to Nixon, not one to throw, who then lobbed the ball into the air and into the endzone, which was then caught by Higgins for the first touchdown of the Bengals. Their extra point was good, making the score 13-10, with the Bengals only needing a field goal to tie the game. It seemed like the Bengals were starting to make a comeback. 

And as if to add insult to injury, on the next Rams drive, disaster would strike for one of their key players. After the ball was thrown to Odell Beckham Jr. the ball collided with his hands, and right as he was about to turn to start running, he slipped and fell, losing possession of the ball. He was taken to the injury tent, and it was found later that he had a torn ACL, a terrible injury for a football player. Now, one of their star players would be out for the rest of the game. 

Enraged, the Rams tried to end it quickly, throwing it downfield into the endzone to try for a touchdown. But the Bengals were fired up; they were starting to come back. The ball never even touched the hands of the receiver, being intercepted by the Bengals in the endzone, giving them another drive with two minutes left in the half. They couldn’t do anything, and were forced to punt it. The Rams also didn’t make it anywhere down the field, ending the first half with a score of 13-10, a very tight game. 

Next was the half-time show, which has been controversial over the past few years with questionable performances. With many performances mainly featuring hip hop music made for older audiences, this year would be different. With the combination of Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige having a more rap-focused show, it would be tailored to the younger generations. Their set, featuring five “houses” had many intricate designs and details for those watching. The performers did an amazing job riling up the audience with nostalgic songs that reminded the crowd of classic times. Besides that, it was an amazing performance that will go down in history as one of the best Superbowl half time performances ever. 

The third quarter started with huge plays for the Bengals, and it seemed like they were going to start coming back. On their first throw of the second half, they made a deep drive down the field, running it straight into the endzone with no one to stop receiver Tee Higgins. Their extra point was also good, giving the Bengals a lead of 13-17. This was a controversial touchdown, as there may or not have been an uncalled facemask, a penalty that would have set the Bengals back even more. 

The Rams got possession again, but surprisingly, the ball was tipped off by one of the receivers and intercepted by the Bengals. They would have another chance at scoring with mere yards to the endzone. Unfortunately, they failed to make it into the endzone, and had to settle for a field goal, lengthening their lead to 13-20. Little did the Bengals know, this would be the last time they would ever score points in this game, and where the Bengals momentum would end. 

The Rams made their way down the field, and almost made a touchdown, but failed to connect after trying a special trick play called the “Philly Special.” They tried for a field goal, and made it through the goal posts, making the score 16-20. 

After being sacked many times, the Bengals were forced to punt, and the Rams had possession again. After a few plays, their quarterback, Mathew Stafford, was sacked, and injured his leg, stumbling to the injury tent. After the ball was converted back to the Bengals, the same thing happened with Joe Burrow, where he had to hobble to the sideline. Thankfully, both quarterbacks were okay, but if they weren’t, who knows where the game would have gone. 

Both teams couldn’t make any connections and were having trouble making their way down the field for the rest of the third quarter and fourth quarter until around six minutes left in the game. The Rams started making their way down the field, with Stafford mainly throwing to his trusty receiver Cooper Kupp, finally making a much-needed touchdown and extra point, getting a lead of 23-20. 

With a minute and seconds left on the clock, Joe Burrow and the Bengals would have to do something quick if they wanted a shot to win. They started their drive well, making their way down, but after being stopped around midfield with a fourth and one, they decided to go for the first down. The ball was snapped, and for a few seconds, it looked like they would be able to do it. But in came Aaron Donald, a defenseman unrivaled. Putting pressure on Burrow, he was forced to toss the ball before being thrown to the ground. The ball went in the direction of one of the receivers, nearly touching his hand, but just like the past quarter, it wasn’t good enough. The ball dropped to the ground. Everyone was stunned. With mere seconds left on the clock and no more downs left for the Bengals to use, they had blown their lead. 

With thirty-nine seconds left on the clock, the Rams had done it. For the second year in a row, a team won the Superbowl in their home stadium. The crowd went wild as yellow and blue confetti rained down from the ceiling, players running onto the field, jumping like children during recess. While this wasn’t an underdog story of the Bengals winning the Superbowl, it was an extremely close game that the Bengals should still be proud of.  

After the game ended, the Rams were awarded the Lombardi Trophy, a trophy given to the winning team of each Superbowl. With the Rams’ latest win, they now have two of these trophies. The next award given was the Superbowl MVP award, which was deservedly gifted to Cooper Kupp for his amazing performance, not just on the last drive of the game, but throughout the entire night. 

Superbowl LVl was an amazing game that, just like the playoffs, came down to the wire and was entertaining throughout. Here’s to an amazing 2021-2022 season, and hoping that next season’s games later this year will be just as entertaining.