The 2021-2022 NFL season was the most enigmatic one in recent memory. With shocking upsets and two #4 seeds making the Super Bowl being just some of the many intriguing storylines this season, it is safe to say that the 2022-2023 season is in store for a similar string of games. With the Super Bowl finally concluded, it is time to look forward towards the start of the new league year, which begins on March 16th at 4pm, which is also when the free agency negotiation period begins. But before that, it is important to look back at the biggest game of the year and the season finale, Super Bowl 56.
(By Conference Designation) Los Angeles Rams (16-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (13-8)
Final: Rams-23 Bengals-20
Player of the Game: Cooper Kupp
For the first time since the 1999 NFL season, The Los Angeles Rams as a franchise, are Super Bowl Champions. The last time the Rams hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, they called St. Louis home, and were led by Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner. This time around, longtime veteran Matthew Stafford helmed the Rams and the City of Angels. As he has done all season long, Cooper Kupp was phenomenal, totaling 99 yards and 2 TD on 10 touches. Kupp was especially clutch on the game winning drive, acting as a safety blanket for Stafford, hauling in every target on the drive. Kupp was recognized as the Super Bowl MVP for his performance. The Rams defensive line led by two future Hall of Famers, Aaron Donald and Von Miller, was also just as important in sealing the win. Donald and Miller each finished the game with 2 sacks, but it was Donald that made the big pressure play on 4th down which secured the Rams their win. Odell Beckham Jr. scored the first TD in the game, but his day was ended with a tragic injury which sidelined him for the rest of the contest. Beckham’s comeback season on the Rams is worth praising him for, and he has earned himself a new contract with whatever team earns his services this offseason, which will most likely be the Rams once again. The Los Angeles Rams will go into the offseason as Super Bowl 56 Champs, but have some important pending free agents with names such as Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr, Darious Williams, Sony Michel, Austin Corbett, and Matt Gay slated to hit the open market. With limited draft capital in the 2022 Draft, the Rams will once again have to rely on their aggressive roster building strategy for the 2022-2023 season, in hopes of repeating as Super Bowl Champions.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ experience on Cloud nine ended on Sunday, losing in the Super Bowl to the Los Angeles Rams. In a season where virtually nobody believed they could be a Super Bowl team, (except for ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky), the Bengals exceeded everyone’s expectations of them. The Bengals success this postseason was due in large part to the play of their acquisitions in the past few off-seasons. Drafting and signing the likes of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson, Mike Hilton, D.J. Reader, Vonn Bell, Logan Wilson, and Sam Hubbard gave the team a core foundation to build on, and that’s not even mentioning the pieces they had in place before, such as Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd, and Jessie Bates III. The problem that plagued the Bengals all season; their offensive line, came back to bite them in the season finale. Facing off against a loaded Rams defensive line, there was little competition for a majority of the game. Joe Burrow was constantly under pressure, leaving him with little time to distribute the ball to his playmakers. Tee Higgins had a nice game, finishing with 100 yards and 2 TD on 4 receptions. Rookie superstar Ja’Marr Chase capped off his phenomenal first season with 89 yards on 5 receptions. Joe Burrow finished his first ever Super Bowl with 266 total yards and 1 TD. Despite the heartbreaking loss in the big game, the Cincinnati Bengals have a very bright future led by QB Joe Burrow. Going into the offseason with more cap room than most conference champions would usually have, they have plenty of opportunities to improve as a team. Some notable Bengals that are set to hit the free agent market are Riley Reiff, Larry Ogunjobi, C.J. Uzomah, Ricardo Allen, Jessie Bates III, Quinton Spain, and B.J. Hill. The Cincinnati Bengals will go into the offseason with a projected $57,307,379 in cap space, the 3rd most in the NFL, but to get back to the Super Bowl they will have to get through AFC juggernauts like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
Game Highlights (Footage courtesy of the NFL): Rams vs. Bengals | Super Bowl LVI Game Highlights
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