The Los Angeles Rams will be the favourites when they face the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on home turf on February 13 after winning Sunday’s Championship Games.
The Rams fought back from a 10-point final-change deficit to win 20-17 over the San Francisco 49ers led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp who combined for two touchdowns.
The Bengals shocked the Kansas City Chiefs in over-time, triumphing 27-24 after trailing 21-3 in the second quarter, marking the biggest comeback in Championship Game history.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was a big part of their success, completing 23 of 38 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bengals’ defense came to the fore in over-time.
The Chiefs had won the coin flip, thus possession, but Patrick Mahomes’ pass was intercepted by Vonn Bell, allowing the Bengals to drive within field-goal range for Evan McPherson to convert the winner.
The Bengals have not featured in a Super Bowl since 1989, while they have won three straight postseason games for the first time in their history.
The AFC Championship caps a remarkable turnaround for the Bengals who went 2-14 in the 2019 season, but have been propelled by 2020 NFL Draft first pick Burrow.
“I think if you would have told me coming into the league when I got drafted that we’d be here this year, obviously it would be a shock,” Burrow said after the game. “But like I said earlier, no, I’m not surprised.”
The Rams have reached their second Super Bowl in the past five seasons under Sean McVay, with the franchise have gone out and traded in Stafford from the Detroit Lions in the off-season.
LA have also added Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr this season to bolster their credentials hence their favouritism.
