After a long season, Super Bowl 56 is finally upon us, and we know which two teams will play the final game of the 2021-22 season. Which teams have made it to Super Bowl 56, what is our prediction for how the game might go, and when can you watch it?
Who is playing in Super Bowl 56?
Which two teams have made it to the Super Bowl and will compete in SoFi Stadium to lift the Lombardi Trophy? How did each of them clinch their spot in Super Bowl 56?
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Cincinnati Bengals were the first team to secure their spot in Super Bowl 56. However, early on, it did not look like Cincinnati would come away victorious. Hosting the AFC Championship Game for the fourth consecutive season, the Chiefs never came out of the gate hot. Patrick Mahomes went 13-of-14 for 154 passing yards and 3 touchdowns as the Chiefs opened up a 21-3 lead.
However, the Bengals did not panic. The defense allowed the Chiefs to add just a further 3 points in the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow and the offense scored 21 unanswered points. A late field goal for the Chiefs sent the game to overtime. However, an interception by Vonn Bell gave Cincinnati a chance to set up another walk-off field goal. The Bengals head to their third Super Bowl in franchise history, and Burrow becomes just the seventh second-year QB to go to the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams came through in a tough contest against the 49ers. At one point in the fourth quarter, San Francisco led by 10 points. Yet, the Rams scored 12 unanswered points to roar back and clinch their spot in Super Bowl 56. This game was a much more defense-dominated affair, with both offenses struggling at times. However, Matthew Stafford found Cooper Kupp in the end zone twice to keep the Rams in the game.
Ultimately, this was yet another NFL playoff matchup that would come down to a field goal. Matt Gay kicked a late go-ahead field goal before the Rams defense went to work to protect the lead. While they did not sack Jimmy Garoppolo, their pressure on him led to a game-clinching interception. The Rams will now host the final two games of the 2021-22 NFL season.
Pick and prediction for Bengals vs. Rams
The early line for this game has the Rams favored by 4 points. This is hardly a surprise given the concerns we have seen around the Bengals’ offensive line. The Chiefs pass rush has had trouble getting home at times this year, and Burrow took advantage. However, it will be a different proposition facing Aaron Donald and Von Miller in the Super Bowl.
After what we saw in Arrowhead, it is hard to write the Bengals off in any matchup. Nevertheless, Los Angeles has that distinct advantage thanks to its defensive line. A very early lean would be that the Rams win, but the Bengals to cover. Cincinnati has been a team impossible to write off, but this Rams team has so much talent all over their roster.
The total of 50 feels spot-on in a game that should see both teams get into the 20s. Both defenses are good, but the offenses should be able to move the ball. A score in the region of 27-24 or 27-23 very much feels like the right outcome. However, this battle has the potential to range anywhere from a defensive back and forth (as we saw in the NFC Championship Game) or an offensive explosion, as we witnessed when the Rams faced the Buccaneers.
When is Super Bowl 56, and where can you watch it?
- Date: February 13, 2022
- Start time: 6:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: NBC
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California