Gridiron Glory: A Deep Dive into Super Bowl LVI
An exhaustive analysis of the 2022 NFL championship, from strategic plays to cultural impact.
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Overview
The Championship Event
Super Bowl LVI, the National Football League's (NFL) championship game for the 2021 season, culminated in a thrilling contest where the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Los Angeles Rams triumphed over the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Cincinnati Bengals with a score of 23–20. This significant event took place on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, notably the home stadium of the victorious Rams. This marked a rare occurrence, being the second consecutive and overall Super Bowl where a team played and won on its home turf.
A Historic Victory
The Rams' victory secured their second Super Bowl title in franchise history, and their first since the 1999 season when they were based in St. Louis (Super Bowl XXXIV). For the Los Angeles iteration of the team, this was their inaugural Super Bowl win. The Bengals, despite a remarkable season, were unable to secure their first Super Bowl title, extending their quest after previous appearances in 1981 and 1988.
A Game of Close Margins
The game itself was a tightly contested affair, featuring three lead changes and largely remaining a one-possession game. The Rams held a narrow 13–10 lead at halftime. However, the Bengals surged ahead in the third quarter, scoring 10 consecutive points on their initial two drives to take a 20–16 lead. In a dramatic fourth quarter, the Rams orchestrated a game-winning touchdown drive with less than two minutes remaining, ultimately halting Cincinnati's final offensive push on downs. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, instrumental in the Rams' decisive drive, was deservedly named Super Bowl MVP.
Host & Logistics
SoFi Stadium Selection
Unlike many previous Super Bowls, the selection process for Super Bowl LVI did not involve competitive bidding. Instead, Los Angeles was initially granted Super Bowl LV in 2016. However, due to a delay in the opening of SoFi Stadium, which pushed its completion to 2020, Super Bowl LV was re-awarded to Tampa Bay, and Los Angeles was subsequently designated as the host for Super Bowl LVI in May 2017.
Thematic Branding
The official logo for Super Bowl LVI, unveiled in February 2021, maintained the consistent design framework established since Super Bowl LI. It incorporated sunset-themed elements, specifically palm trees, within the traditional Roman numerals, reflecting the distinctive landscape and ambiance of the host city and region.
COVID-19 Protocols
Concerns regarding the COVID-19 Omicron variant in early 2022 led to considerations of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as an alternative host site. However, the NFL confirmed on January 13 that the game would proceed at SoFi Stadium, partly due to heightened interest in the potential for the Rams to play a home Super Bowl. Unlike Super Bowl LV, which had limited attendance, Super Bowl LVI was played to a full audience. Attendees were required to wear KN95 masks, which were provided, and show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test (PCR within 48 hours or antigen within 24 hours), in accordance with Los Angeles County public health mandates.
Los Angeles Rams
Season Performance
The Los Angeles Rams concluded the 2021 season with a 12–5 record under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Sean McVay. This marked their fifth Super Bowl appearance, their third as a Los Angeles-based team, and their second under McVay. Prior to this victory, the franchise held a 1–3 Super Bowl record, with their sole win being Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999 as the St. Louis Rams. They also secured pre-Super Bowl era championships in 1945 (as the Cleveland Rams) and 1951 (during their initial tenure in Los Angeles).
Key Acquisitions
Following their Super Bowl LIII loss and a subsequent decline in quarterback Jared Goff's performance, the Rams made strategic moves. Ahead of the 2021 season, they traded Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick to the Detroit Lions for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford, a 12-year veteran with an 0–3 playoff record at the time, was seen as a better fit for the Rams' offensive scheme. Mid-season, the team further bolstered its roster by acquiring eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller from the Denver Broncos and signing free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after his release from the Cleveland Browns.
Offensive Prowess
The Rams' offense ranked ninth in total yards (6,325) and tied for eighth in points scored (460) in the 2021 season. Matthew Stafford achieved career highs in touchdowns (41) and completion percentage (67.2%), despite leading the league in interceptions (17). He also established new franchise records for single-season pass completions (404) and passing yards (4,886), while matching the record for passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp had a historic season, becoming the fourth NFL player and first since 2005 to achieve the receiving triple crown, leading the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and receiving touchdowns (16). His receiving yards and receptions were the second-most in a single season in NFL history. Running back Sony Michel led the team in rushing with 845 yards, acquired after Cam Akers missed most of the season due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, the Rams ranked 17th in yards allowed (5,863) and 15th in points allowed (372). Pro Bowl selections included defensive tackle Aaron Donald (eighth selection), who led the team with 12.5 sacks, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey (fifth selection), who tied with safety Taylor Rapp for the team lead in interceptions (4). Linebacker Leonard Floyd contributed 9.5 sacks, and Von Miller added 5 sacks after joining the team. The safety duo of Rapp and Jordan Fuller were the leading tacklers. Following an injury to Fuller, six-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle was brought out of retirement for the playoffs. Placekicker Matt Gay earned Pro Bowl honors, leading the league in field goal percentage (94.1%).
Cincinnati Bengals
Unexpected Ascent
The Cincinnati Bengals concluded the 2021 season with a 10–7 record under third-year head coach Zac Taylor. This marked their third Super Bowl appearance, following Super Bowl XVI in 1981 and Super Bowl XXIII in 1988. The Bengals entered the 2021 season as an unlikely Super Bowl contender, having finished at the bottom of the AFC North for the previous three seasons and not having won a playoff game since the 1990 season, which was the longest active drought in major North American sports.
Draft & Free Agency Success
Their turnaround began with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, which they used to select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow. Despite a strong rookie season, Burrow's year was cut short by a knee injury. In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Burrow's former LSU teammate, with the fifth overall pick, and placekicker Evan McPherson in the fifth round. On defense, they signed free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson and acquired defensive tackles Larry Ogunjobi and B. J. Hill.
Offensive Resurgence
The reunion of Burrow and Chase dramatically transformed the Bengals' offense, elevating it from 29th in yards and points scored in the previous season to 13th in yards (6,145) and tied for eighth in points scored (460) in 2021. In his first full season, Joe Burrow led the league in completion percentage (70.4%) and yards per attempt (8.9), despite being sacked a league-high 51 times. He set franchise records for passing yards (4,611) and touchdowns (34) in a season, and a single-game record of 525 passing yards, earning him the Comeback Player of the Year award. Ja'Marr Chase, named Offensive Rookie of the Year, was fourth in receiving yards (1,455) and third in receiving touchdowns (13) in the NFL, setting Super Bowl era rookie records for both single-season and single-game receiving yards. Tee Higgins contributed significantly with 1,081 receiving yards, making the Bengals one of only five teams with two 1,000-yard receivers. Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon was third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,205) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (13).
Defensive Contributions
Cincinnati's defense ranked 18th in yards allowed (5,964) and 17th in points allowed (376). Trey Hendrickson earned his first Pro Bowl selection, ranking fifth in the league with 14 sacks. B. J. Hill, Larry Ogunjobi, and Sam Hubbard also made significant contributions to the defensive line. Linebacker Logan Wilson led the team in interceptions (4) and combined tackles (100). Kicker Evan McPherson, a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, set franchise records for most 50-yard field goals (9) and longest field goal (58 yards) in a season.
Game Summary
First Half Dynamics
The Bengals won the coin toss and deferred, giving the Rams the opening kickoff. After a Rams punt, the Bengals' initial drive stalled on a failed fourth-down conversion at midfield. The Rams capitalized quickly, with Matthew Stafford connecting with Odell Beckham Jr. for a 17-yard touchdown, establishing a 7–0 lead. Cincinnati responded with a 29-yard field goal by Evan McPherson after a 46-yard pass from Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase brought them into scoring range. In the second quarter, Stafford threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp. A fumbled snap on the extra point attempt, intercepted by Germaine Pratt, kept the score at 13–3. The Bengals then executed a 12-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a 6-yard touchdown pass from running back Joe Mixon to Tee Higgins on a halfback option play, narrowing the deficit to 13–10. The half concluded with a deep pass from Stafford intercepted by Jessie Bates after Beckham Jr. suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the game.
Second Half Swings
The Bengals seized the lead immediately in the second half. On the first play, Burrow launched a 75-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, who appeared to grab Jalen Ramsey's facemask before the catch, though no penalty was called. This gave Cincinnati a 17–13 lead. On the Rams' subsequent possession, Stafford's pass was tipped and intercepted by Chidobe Awuzie, leading to a 38-yard field goal by McPherson, extending the Bengals' lead to 20–13. The Rams responded with a 41-yard field goal from Matt Gay, making the score 20–16. The remainder of the third quarter and much of the fourth saw a series of punts as both defenses held strong.
The Decisive Drive
With 6:13 left in the game, the Rams began their final, game-winning drive from their own 21-yard line. A crucial 7-yard run by Cooper Kupp on an end-around converted a 4th-and-1. Stafford then connected with Kupp for back-to-back passes totaling 30 yards, moving the ball to the Cincinnati 16-yard line. Despite strong defensive stands by the Bengals, a holding penalty on Logan Wilson and a pass interference call on Eli Apple in the end zone gave the Rams multiple first downs inside the 10-yard line. Ultimately, Stafford completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Kupp, giving the Rams a 23–20 lead with 1:25 remaining. The Bengals' final drive saw Burrow complete passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd, but Aaron Donald's pressure on 4th-and-1 forced an incomplete pass, securing the Rams' victory. Cooper Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP for his eight receptions, 92 yards, and two touchdowns, including key plays on the final drive.
Entertainment
Pre-Game Ceremonies
The pre-game festivities featured a diverse array of performances. Country singer Mickey Guyton delivered a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," marking her as the first Black female country artist to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Jhené Aiko, accompanied by harpist Gracie Sprout, performed "America the Beautiful." Both songs were also performed in American Sign Language by Sandra Mae Frank, with dedicated coverage available on the NBC Sports app. Mary Mary, joined by the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Electronic music producer Zedd served as the DJ during pre-game warmups. A five-plane formation from the USAF Air Combat Command demonstration teams, including an A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and a P-51 Mustang, conducted the flyover as part of the Air Force Heritage Flight. Tennis legend Billie Jean King participated in the coin toss ceremony, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Dwayne Johnson, in his persona as The Rock from WWE, introduced both teams.
Halftime Show Extravaganza
The Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, the final one sponsored by Pepsi, was headlined by an iconic lineup of hip-hop artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. The performance received widespread critical acclaim. Surprise appearances were made by 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak. Notably, deaf rappers Sean Forbes and Warren Snipe performed in American Sign Language, marking the first time ASL was incorporated into a Super Bowl halftime show. Described as a "legends of hip hop" performance, it evoked nostalgia and localized the globally broadcast event to Southern California, particularly with Dr. Dre's involvement. The show was the third in partnership with Jay-Z's Roc Nation. Eminem's decision to kneel after his set, a tribute to Colin Kaepernick, garnered significant attention. An NFL spokesman confirmed to The New York Times that officials were aware of the gesture during rehearsals, dispelling rumors of a last-minute defiance.
Critical Acclaim
Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone lauded the performance as an "old-school West Coast rap history lesson" and ranked it as the fourth-best Super Bowl halftime show of all time, placing it behind those by Beyoncé, U2, and Prince. He also expressed that Kendrick Lamar deserved his own full-length performance, a wish that would later materialize in 2025 for Super Bowl LIX, featuring Samuel L. Jackson, SZA, Serena Williams, and DJ Mustard.
Broadcasting
United States Television
Super Bowl LVI was televised by NBC, a deviation from the usual rotation with CBS. This one-time modification was arranged to allow NBC to broadcast both the Super Bowl and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, maximizing advertising revenue, a strategy previously employed for Super Bowl LII and the 2018 Olympics. This alignment was later codified in the NFL's new 11-year media contracts, ensuring that the Super Bowl rotation accommodates future Winter Olympic years for NBC or other networks. NBC's broadcast team included Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya and Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporters), and Terry McAulay (rules analyst). This was Michaels' eleventh Super Bowl, tying Pat Summerall for the most television play-by-play appearances. It also marked the final NBC game for both Michaels and Tafoya. The broadcast incorporated additional camera angles and a new graphics package, featuring a special introduction by actress Halle Berry.
Spanish & International Coverage
For the first time, a dedicated Spanish-language telecast aired on broadcast television via NBC's sister network, Telemundo. Carlos Mauricio Ramirez provided play-by-play, with Jorge Andres and Rolando Cantu offering analysis. Ariana Figuera served as the field reporter, and Miguel Gurwitz led pre-game, halftime, and post-game coverage. Telemundo also produced a pre-game show from Plaza México in Lynwood to highlight California's Latino community. Internationally, ESPN International carried the game in numerous countries. In Canada, CTV and TSN televised the game in English, and RDS in French. The game was also broadcast in the UK (BBC One, Sky Sports), Australia (Seven Network), Turkey (S Sport), Latin America (ESPN, Star+), France (beIN Sports, La Chaîne L'Équipe), Germany (ProSieben, DAZN), Austria (Puls 4), Italy (Rai 1, DAZN), Mexico (Televisa, TV Azteca), Brazil (RedeTV!, ESPN, Star+), Russia/Ukraine/CIS (Viasat Sport), Belgium/Portugal (Eleven Sports), Spain (Movistar+), Philippines (TapDMV), Balkans (Sport Klub), Japan (DAZN, Nippon TV), Indonesia/Timor Leste/Malaysia/Singapore (Mola), Denmark (TV3 Sport), Poland (TVP Sport), and Puerto Rico (Telemundo Puerto Rico, NBC Puerto Rico).
Advertising & Viewership
NBC charged between $6.5 million and $7 million for a 30-second commercial during Super Bowl LVI, an increase from the previous year's $5.5 million. Several major sponsors, including Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Hyundai, and Pepsi, returned after skipping Super Bowl LV due to the pandemic's economic impact. The game featured numerous advertisements for upcoming films and series from Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Peacock, AMC+, and Amazon Prime Video. A notable trend in advertising was the high number of celebrity cameos and promotions for futuristic technologies like electric vehicles, virtual reality, and cryptocurrency, leading some to dub it the "Crypto Bowl." Many ads also leveraged 1990s and 2000s nostalgia, targeting Generation X and Millennial audiences. Rocket Mortgage's ad, featuring Anna Kendrick and a Barbie toy house, won the USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter survey. The broadcast drew the second-largest Super Bowl audience in history, tied with Super Bowl 50, with 112.3 million total viewers across NBC and its streaming platforms, an 8% increase from the previous Super Bowl. Streaming viewership nearly doubled the previous record, reaching 11.2 million. Despite increased viewership, the game's overall household rating of 36.9 was one of the lowest in Super Bowl history.
Game Statistics
Team Comparison
The statistical comparison between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals highlights the closely contested nature of Super Bowl LVI. The Rams achieved 18 first downs (2 rushing, 14 passing, 2 penalty) compared to the Bengals' 15 (5 rushing, 10 passing, 0 penalty). In terms of third-down efficiency, the Rams converted 6 of 15 attempts, while the Bengals converted 3 of 14. Both teams had similar total net yards, with the Rams accumulating 313 and the Bengals 305. The Bengals had a more effective rushing game, with 79 net yards on 20 attempts (4.0 yards per rush) compared to the Rams' 43 net yards on 23 attempts (1.9 yards per rush). Passing yards were 270 for the Rams and 226 for the Bengals. The Rams completed 26 of 41 passes, while the Bengals completed 23 of 34. A significant difference was in sacks: the Rams were sacked 2 times for 13 yards, whereas the Bengals' Joe Burrow was sacked 7 times for 43 yards. The Rams committed 2 penalties for 10 yards, while the Bengals had 4 penalties for 31 yards. Time of possession was nearly even, with the Rams holding the ball for 30:47 and the Bengals for 29:13. The Rams had 2 turnovers (interceptions), while the Bengals had 0.
Records Set & Tied
Super Bowl LVI saw several records established and tied:
- Youngest Head Coach (Winning Team): Sean McVay (Los Angeles) at 36 years, 20 days.
- Lowest Yards Per Carry (Winning Team): Los Angeles, 1.9 yards.
- Most Sacks in Any Quarter: Los Angeles, 5 (third quarter).
- Most Sacks (Team): Los Angeles, 7 (tied).
- Fastest Second Half Touchdown: Tee Higgins (Cincinnati), 0:12 (tied).
- Most Sacks (Player, Career): Von Miller (Los Angeles), 4.5 (tied).
Individual Highlights
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, achieving a rating of 89.9. Cooper Kupp was the leading receiver with 8 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. Odell Beckham Jr. contributed 2 receptions for 52 yards and 1 touchdown before his injury. Cam Akers led the rushing attack with 13 carries for 21 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow completed 22 of 33 passes for 263 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions, with a rating of 100.9. Joe Mixon also threw a 6-yard touchdown pass. Tee Higgins led the Bengals in receiving with 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the 75-yard score. Ja'Marr Chase had 5 receptions for 89 yards. Joe Mixon was the leading rusher with 15 carries for 72 yards.
Officials
The Officiating Crew
Super Bowl LVI was officiated by a crew of seven officials, with an alternate official assigned for each position, a practice continued from the previous year. The referee for the game was Ronald Torbert (62), marking his first Super Bowl appearance. He was supported by Umpire Bryan Neale (92), also in his first Super Bowl. The Down Judge was Derick Bowers (74), making his second Super Bowl appearance (XLIII). Carl Johnson (101) served as Line Judge, his third Super Bowl (XLII, LIV). Rick Patterson (15) was the Field Judge, his third Super Bowl (XXXVII, XXXIX, both as side judge). Keith Washington (7) was the Side Judge, in his first Super Bowl. Scott Helverson (93) was the Back Judge, making his third Super Bowl appearance (XLII, XLV). Roddy Ames served as the Replay Official, his first Super Bowl, with Sean McKee as Replay Assistant.
Alternate Officials
The alternate officials for Super Bowl LVI included: Referee Bill Vinovich (52), Umpire Paul King (121), Down Judge Ed Camp (134), Line Judge Greg Bradley (98), Field Judge Aaron Santi (50), Side Judge Jonah Monroe (120), Back Judge Greg Steed (12), and Replay Official Mark Butterworth. This comprehensive staffing ensures readiness for any unforeseen circumstances during the high-stakes championship game.
Aftermath
Rams' Post-Championship Season
Following their Super Bowl LVI victory, the Los Angeles Rams experienced a significant downturn in the subsequent 2022 season. They finished with a 5–12 record, setting new franchise records for the most losses, lowest winning percentage (.294), and longest losing streak (six games) for a defending Super Bowl champion since the 1999 Denver Broncos. The Rams became the first defending Super Bowl champion to miss the playoffs since the 2016 Denver Broncos and the first to have a losing record since the 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bengals' Continued Success
In contrast, the Cincinnati Bengals continued their strong performance into the 2022 season. They tied their franchise-best 12–4 record and clinched their first consecutive division title. The Bengals also achieved another franchise first by winning playoff games in consecutive seasons. Their impressive run concluded in the AFC Championship Game, where they were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl LVII champion Kansas City Chiefs.
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