In many ways, Super Bowl LVI was definitely one for the books. From the outrageous pricing to attend/park to the once in a lifetime halftime show. It is safe to say Los Angeles was successful in hosting the biggest event of the year.

There were definitely some added features to the Super Bowl process considering it being in Los Angeles, such as, The Rock’s introduction, the celebrity attendance, and the abundance of names that performed for the half time. All great features, but definitely Los Angeles showing their style. 

As for the game, I think everyone knew going into the game that it was going to be a close one up until  the very end. Cincinnati comes out of the gates showing their dominance with their run defense and letting it carry throughout the game with the Rams really struggling to get anything going in the run. Obviously, the Rams got the early momentum, but the Bengals deciding to put a lot of their game plan into the run game with Joe Mixon took a little bit of heat off Burrow and the pass. 

The back and forth for the first half kept the game close. The momentum swing in the second half by the Bengals with the early score and the pick 2 plays later should have been the beginning of the end. As the end of the game approached, the refs had to even the score after the “no call” facemask on Jalen Ramsey after he got run by down the sideline. So as the Rams got in the red zone there were double penalties called. There was the holding on Havenstein for the Rams and a “holding call” on Wilson for the Bengals. There was definitely no holding done by Wilson and the Rams should have never received a new set of downs. The play should have resulted in a loss of yards and 4th down for the Rams. 

Leading into the Bengal’s final series, obviously they didn’t help themselves by running the ball on 3rd and 1 right at the 7 time pro bowler, Aaron Donald. As Burrow tries to avoid the sack on the final play, again Aaron Donald earns his title of the best player to play in this year’s Super Bowl.

Obviously, being a Cincinnati fan, it is not a good feeling watching the boys losing given the comeback year they’ve had, but I’m super excited to see Andrew Whitworth walk away with a Super Bowl. Big Whit has been a favorite player of mine during his 11 year career with the Bengals. Although he didn’t come out and say it, I believe he’ll retire this offseason and what better way to go out than with a ring. 

Who Dey Nation will be back soon! 

-The Coach