It seems like the NFL season just started and here we are at the end of the road. Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams for winning Super Bowl 56 against the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20. Matt Stafford, who many felt was under the most pressure to perform well this postseason, led the Rams down the field for the game-winning touchdown late in the 4th quarter to Cooper Kupp. Aaron Donald them came through in the final possession to hold off the Bengals’ last attempt. The Rams started off the game well, stopping the Bengals on an early 4th and 1 and capitalized on a Stafford pass to Odell Beckham. The Bengals were able to get on the board with an Evan McPherson field goal. The Bengals were able to get in position with a Joe Burrow pass to Ja’Marr Chase, who beat Jalen Ramsey one on one in matchup many people looked forward to. The next possession the Rams marched right back down the field and scored quickly on a Stafford pass to Cooper Kupp. Cincinnati chewed up a lot of time on its next possession down 10 and drove down the field. Zac Taylor dialed up a hell of a play call with a Joe Mixon pass to Tee Higgins. During the 2nd quarter things took a turn when Odell Beckham was injured on a non-contact knee injury that caused him to miss the rest of the game. This injury played a huge part in the game as the Rams’ offense stalled out for mostly the rest of the game. After a bomb to Tee Higgins, that was assisted by a clear missed penalty, the 2nd half was a slugfest that came down to a clutch drive with Stafford. The Stafford to Kupp connection led the charge and ended with a Kupp touchdown with under two minutes left. Down 23-20 Joe Burrow had the ball in his hands, but Aaron Donald was hungry and it was team to eat. He stuffed Perrine on 3rd down, not allowing him to get any momentum to possibly pick up a first down. And on 4th down he rushed Burrow – forcing him to heave a desperation pass that fell incomplete.
Storylines
So now that the season is over what’s next? Here are some storylines that can shape the offseason.
1. What happens with Aaron Rodgers? Will he stay in Green Bay or will he leave? Whether you’re annoyed with Rodgers or not, the 4x MVP will dominate the offseason headlines.
2. How will Tampa replace Tom Brady? What direction will the Bucs go in to replace the G.O.A.T.? Russell Wilson? Deshaun Watson?
3. Brian Flores lawsuit- This story isn’t going anywhere and after this hiring cycle it will continue to be in the spotlight
4. Is Aaron Donald retiring? – It was mentioned during the Super Bowl broadcast, but could Donald have played his last game? If so, he will be remembered as one of the most dominant defensive forces we’ve seen in a long time.
5. How will the NFL draft shake out? With many executives and scouts not high on this QB class what will happen in this year’s draft?
Random Thoughts
- The halftime show is up there as one of the greatest halftime performances of all time. It was classic West Coast with Hip Hop with the OG’s Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre leading the performance. Kendrick Lamar had a great performance, Mary J Blige and Eminem did their thing, and a surprise visit from 50 Cent. This performance was for the culture, and it did not disappoint.
- The commercials this year were subpar, and in my opinion, getting worse every year. The best ones were the movie trailers and the LeBron James commercial. The Coinbase QR code ad was brilliant marketing as it brought so much traffic to the website the site crashed.
- Vernon Hargreaves has to be the first player in Superbowl history to be on IR and get called for a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for coming into the endzone to celebrate an interception with his teammates. That sequence made him an instant meme.
- The weather in Los Angeles was great and had me jealous…I’m not even going to lie. 85-90 degrees and sunny in February must be nice, but what isn’t nice is the Los Angeles traffic. I know Los Angeles was celebrating and has had a nice stretch of titles with the Lakers and Dodgers winning championships recently; and now the Rams.
- Give Odell Beckham’s dad Father of the Year. He got his son out of Cleveland and OBJ showed this post season he can still make an impact. I was truly happy for him and it was unfortunate he couldn’t finish the game.
- This isn’t an indictment on Joe Burrow, but the way the media was fascinated over his outfit for the game was interesting considering how they’ve treated some quarterbacks in the past, including one in Charlotte who dressed in a similar fashion. Media will be fascinated with some, but criticize others for doing the same thing.
- Worst thing that happened to the Bengals was the scuffle on the sidelines with Aaron Donald. Donald wanted all the smoke and played with a different edge after that. Don’t poke the bear.
- Eli Apple better stay off social media for the next few weeks. He’s been getting cooked by players and teams from around the league.
- What is going to come of the latest investigation into Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder……probably nothing.
- Snoop Dogg’s fit was fire.
That’s a wrap on the 2021 NFL Season. See y’all in the Fall.