(Photo courtesy of SportingNews.com) Quarterbacks Joe Burrow on the left and Matt Stafford on the right
Tanner Hume
Connector Staff
The NFL Conference Championships have come and gone, and it was very exciting football indeed .
Bengals @ Chiefs: This game was back and forth throughout, showcased by the elite talents of quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes. They each put on an offensive clinic for the fans at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City quarterback Mahomes went 26/39 with 275 passing yards and three touchdown passes. He also threw two crucial interceptions during the game.
As for Bengals quarterback Burrow, he went 23/38 with 250 passing yards and two touchdown passes, with only one interception.
At one point, the Bengals were down 21-3, but somehow, they were able to score 24 unanswered to take a 24-21 lead. But this is the Chiefs after all, and they do not go down without a fight.
Mahomes and his offence drove the length of the field to set up Harrison Butker to kick the game-tying field goal to send this classic into overtime. Of course, the Chiefs won the toss and Arrowhead erupted.
On the third play of the drive, Mahomes drew a crucial mistake and threw an interception giving the Bengals life. Cincinnati drove far enough down the field to set up Evan McPherson for the Conference-winning field goal. For the first time since 1988 the Bengals, , are going to the Super Bowl. The Bengals fought hard, and it all paid off at the end. The Chiefs put up a good fight, but it all came crumbling down, just like the Washington football team’s name reveal.
49ers @ Rams: To say that the Rams completely overwhelmed the 49ers on both sides of the football is an understatement. Los Angeles saw the gold miners arrive from the east and sought to take out the incoming invaders.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led the way, going 31/45 with 337 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and one interception. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, did not do so well. Garoppolo went 16/30 with 232 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and one interception. The one interception for Garoppolo turned into the dagger in the heart for the 49ers.
Matthew Stafford, after over ten years of futility and elongated off seasons in Detroit is finally going to a Super Bowl. He deserves to play for the NFL’s richest prize, and he will finally get that opportunity.
The matchup for Super Bowl LVI is set with the Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Los Angeles Rams. Nobody predicted this super bowl back in September, but here it is. The Bengals had a rough road to get to this point, having to face the Raiders, Titans and Chiefs in the playoffs.
The Bengals have a great offensive core, led by Joe Burrow under center, a receiving core led by Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, CJ Uzomah and Tyler Boyd, with the running core solidified by Joe Mixon.
As bad as the offensive line seemed during the playoffs, the defensive line was solid as can be. A particular name stands out among the others, a free agent signing everyone overlooked, Trey Hendrickson. The man has been solid and tearing up opposing offensive lines to get to the quarterback. He, along with the likes of Gabriel Pratt and Jessie Bates make up a very hungry defensive unit.
As for the Rams, this is what is considered a super team. The offense is led by Stafford under center, Cam Akers and Sony Michel being the face of their rushing game, Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, Odell Beckham Jr., Van Jefferson and others being that heavily talented receiving core.
Their offensive line has been extremely strong, and a player that stands out is, former Bengal Andrew Whitworth. As for the defense, it is nothing short of spectacular. Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Ron Howard and countless others helping that defense pick off and deflect passes, and sack quarterbacks.
Now, it all comes down to these two teams, the Bengals and the Rams. Be sure to tune in on Sunday, Feb.13 to see who takes home the Lombardi Trophy.
