A thrilling 2021 postseason will end with a compelling matchup in Super Bowl LVI. The Los Angeles Rams will host the Cincinnati Bengals for the right to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Rams will become the first team to play a conference title game and Super Bowl in their home stadium. The Bengals are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since January 1989.
There is familiarity between the two coaching staffs. Bengals coach Zac Taylor was the Rams quarterbacks coach when Los Angeles last reached the Super Bowl in 2019. Taylor and Rams coach Sean McVay will make history by becoming the first Super Bowl matchup between two coaches who are under 40 years old.
Let’s take a look at each team’s roster, starting with the AFC champions.
Cincinnati Bengals
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1 |
Ja’Marr Chase, WR |
|
2 |
|
|
8 |
Brandon Allen, QB |
|
9 |
Joe Burrow, QB |
|
10 |
Kevin Huber, P |
|
11 |
Trent Taylor, WR |
|
16 |
Trenton Irwin, WR |
|
17 |
Stanley Morgan, WR |
|
20 |
Eli Apple, CB |
|
21 |
Mike Hilton, CB |
|
22 |
Chidobe Awuzie, CB |
|
24 |
Vonn Bell, S |
|
25 |
Chris Evans, RB |
|
26 |
Trae Waynes, CB |
|
28 |
Joe Mixon, RB |
|
29 |
|
|
30 |
Jessie Bates III, S |
|
31 |
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|
32 |
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|
33 |
Tre Flowers, CB |
|
34 |
Samaje Perine, RB |
|
35 |
Jalen Davis, CB |
|
37 |
|
|
44 |
Clay Johnston, LB |
|
46 |
Clark Harris, LS |
|
47 |
Keandre Jones, LB |
|
51 |
Markus Bailey, LB |
|
55 |
Logan Wilson, LB |
|
57 |
Germaine Pratt, LB |
|
62 |
Damion Square, DE |
|
63 |
Trey Hill, C |
|
66 |
Trey Hopkins, C |
|
67 |
Quinton Spain, OG |
|
68 |
Josh Tupou, DT |
|
69 |
Zach Kerr, NT |
|
70 |
D’Ante Smith, G |
|
73 |
Jonah Williams, OT |
|
74 |
Fred Johnson, OT |
|
75 |
Isaiah Prince, OT |
|
77 |
|
|
79 |
|
|
80 |
Mike Thomas, WR |
|
83 |
Tyler Boyd, WR |
|
84 |
Mitchell Wilcox, TE |
|
85 |
Tee Higgins, WR |
|
87 |
C.J. Uzomah, TE |
|
89 |
Drew Sample, TE |
|
90 |
Khalid Kareem, DE |
|
91 |
Trey Hendrickson, DE |
|
92 |
B.J. Hill, DT |
|
93 |
Wyatt Ray, DE |
|
94 |
Sam Hubbard, DE |
|
96 |
Cameron Sample, DE |
| 98 | D.J. Reader, DT |
| 99 | Tyler Shelvin, DT |
Cincinnati is the third team in history to reach the Super Bowl after having the league’s worst record two years earlier. The Bengals’ quick turnaround was largely due to the play of Burrow; receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd; running back Joe Mixon; defensive linemen Trey Hendrickson, Larry Ogunjobi and Sam Hubbard; linebackers Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson; and defensive backs Mike Hilton and Jessie Bates III. The Bengals have also received clutch kicking from rookie Evan McPherson, who delivered game-winning kicks in Cincinnati’s playoff wins over Tennessee and Kansas City.
Down 21-3 in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, Burrow and the Bengals scored 24 of the game’s final 27 points. In overtime, Vonn Bell’s interception of Patrick Mahomes gave the ball back to Burrow, who completed two passes to Higgins to help set up McPherson’s game-winning field goal. Cincinnati also received tough running from Mixon, who ran for 88 yards on 21 carries.
“We’ve been a second-half team all year,” Burrow told CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz after the game. “We don’t really want to be that way, but it’s kind of how it’s worked out. Our defense really stepped up in the second half, and on offense we made plays when we had to. Our offensive line played great; we started running the ball. Just a great overall team effort.”
Los Angeles Rams
Four moves got the Rams over the hump this season. Los Angeles acquired Matthew Stafford via a trade with the Lions last offseason. The Rams were able to execute a trade with the Patriots following Cam Akers’ injury during training camp to acquire Sony Michel. During the season, Los Angeles acquired Beckham, which became an essential acquisition following Robert Woods‘ injury. The Rams were also able to acquire Von Miller, who six years earlier led the Broncos to a win in Super Bowl 50.
Stafford threw 41 touchdown passes while enjoying a prolific partnership with Cooper Kupp, who led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Michel led the Rams in rushing, while Beckham caught nine passes for 113 yards in Los Angeles’ 20-17 win over the 49ers in the NFC title game. Miller had a sack in each of the Rams’ first two wins of the postseason.
The Rams continued to receive stellar seasons from cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Ramsey tallied four interceptions and broke up 16 passes, while Donald recorded 12.5 sacks while earning his seventh consecutive All-Pro nod.
