How did we get here? If someone told me in September 2021 that the Rams and Bengals would be headed to the SuperBowl, I would’ve laughed in their face. However, here we are. 

Patrick Mahomes has led the Kansas City Chiefs to the SuperBowl for the past two years. It was a huge surprise for them to lose to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game. I personally was looking for the Chiefs and 49ers to make it to the SuperBowl (once again), so you can assume how shocked I was by this outcome. 

I look forward to the matchup of quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford. Stafford has been pretty consistent with leading the Rams to fourth-quarter victories in his years in the NFL. Burrow on the other hand, works well under pressure. In the AFC Championship game, Burrow completed 7/12 passes while under pressure. It’s an understatement to say that the SuperBowl is a lot of pressure. 

Burrow, Stafford, OBJ, and Kupp are all alike in the fact that this is their first SuperBowl. Rams WR Cooper Kupp definitely made his name known in the game against the 49ers on Sunday. He was a third round pick by the Rams in 2017, and this season has been his breakout season. In the 2021 season, Kupp led the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and receiving touchdowns (16). With this “triple crown” he now joins Steve Smith (2005), Jerry Rice (1990), and Sterling Sharpe (1992). 

On the other end of the Rams offense is WR Odell Beckham Jr. In his 7 years in the NFL, he has been a New York Giant, Cleveland Brown, and now he is a Los Angeles Ram. OBJ is known for his temper from the beginning of his career, as well as being an impeccable dancer. On top of it all, he is known for making some unbelievable catches. This season, he had 5 touchdowns. 

As for the Bengals, WR Ja’Marr Chase has been showing out all season long. He had 13 touchdowns and 1,455 rec. yards. He falls in 3rd place for most receiving touchdowns this season, following Kupp and Mike Evans (TB Buccaneers). He is also in 4th place for most rec. Yards, following Kupp, Justin Jefferson (MIN Vikings), and Davante Adams (GB Packers). 

With such an unexpected outcome for the season, it’s hard to place a bet on who will win. I believe both teams have a good chance of taking the title. Personally, I don’t really care who wins, but I hope the game is better than last years. I was so upset to watch Mahomes throw the title away. 

The big game is less than a week away now, and the anticipation is setting in. Place your bets, and get ready to party. It’s game time!