SUPER BOWL LVI
Date: February 13, 2022
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Television Networks: NBC, Telemundo
Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya and Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporters), Terry McAulay (rules analyst)
Cost of 30-sec. Commercial: $6.5 million
Radio Network: Westwood One, SiriusXM
PLAYER SHARES:
$124,000 (winners)
$62,000 (losers)
GAMEDAY SCHEDULE:
• Stadium Entries and Gates Open: 11:30 AM
• Team Warmups: 2:05 p.m. PT / 5:05 p.m.
• Player Introductions: 3:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 ET
• National Anthem: 3:10 p.m. PT / 6:10 p.m. ET
• Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ET
• Halftime: 5:00 p.m. / 8:00 p.m. (estimated)
TEAMS:
• Los Angeles Rams (NFC No. 4 Seed; 12-5 regular-season record)
• Cincinnati Bengals (AFC No. 4 Seed; 10-7 regular-season record)
COACHES:
• Sean McVay, 36, Los Angeles Rams (Regular season: 55-26 (.679); Postseason: 6-3 (.667); Career: 61-29 (.678)
• Zac Taylor, 38, Cincinnati Bengals (Regular season: 16-32-1 (.337); Postseason: 3-0 (1.000); Career: 19-32-1 (.375)
SUPER BOWL LVI PREVIEW is HERE. SUPER BOWL MATCHUP
Associated Press
Across both Super Bowl rosters, there is a great divide. The Rams are the team loaded with veterans and the Bengals are the new kids on the block. Los Angeles has the star power, which figures with Hollywood next door. Cincinnati has a bunch of relative no names outside of Joe Burrow (#9) and Ja'Marr Chase (#1). Bengals coach Zac Taylor worked for Rams boss Sean McVay even though Taylor is more than two years older. Both teams were No. 4 seeds after winning their divisions, so there are some similarities. It might be the differences that, well, make the difference on Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium. Oh, yeah, that happens to be the Rams' new home.
WHEN THE BENGALS HAVE THE BALL:
Burrown and Chase are the Dynamic Duo for Cincinnati. They were at LSU and nothing changed when Chase, who sat out the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was chosen fifth overall in last April's draft. His effect has been immense, scoring 13 times on 81 receptions for 1,455 yards in the regular season. Of course, Burrow has been just as impactful. He went 2-7-1 in a rookie season cut short by a knee injury and made a sensational return, as accurate as any passer in the league. Cool as they come — yes, Joe Cool — he had 34 touchdown passes, and in the Bengals' three postseason victories after having none since 1991, Burrow has gone 75 for 109 for 842 yards and four TDs, showing scrambling skills as well.
The key for LA to slow down that combination lies with the pass rush; Cincinnati allowed a league-high 51 sacks during the season, 12 more in the postseason. So unanimous All-Pro DT Aaron Donald (#99), LB Leonard Floyd (#54) and revitalized Von Miller (#40), the MVP of the 2016 Super Bowl, must be negated somewhat. If the Bengals' offensive line, from tackles Jonah Williams (#73) and Isaiah Prince (#71) to center Trey Hopkins (#66) to guards Quinton Spain (#67) and the rotation of Hakeem Adeniji (#77) and rookie Jackson Carman (#79) don't step up, Burrow will go down a bunch.
If he gets the protection that has been missing too often, Chase's matchups with All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey (#5) could be epic. But Ramsey won't always be on Chase, who can break free on any route, and he also has some potent partners in WRs Tyler Boyd (#83) and Tee Higgins (#85), their battles with the remainder of the secondary could be significant. In his seventh pro season, TE C.J. Uzomah (#87) has emerged as a threat, but he damaged a knee last week and his status is uncertain. RB Joe Mixon (#28), who ranked third with 1,205 rushing yards, can wear down defenses, but the Rams ranked sixth against the rush.
WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL:
Like with the trades that brought Miller and Ramsey on defense, the Rams have bolstered their offense immeasurably in recent years. They solidified left tackle five seasons back with Andrew Whitworth (#77), who remains a stud at age 40. Much more recently came QB Matthew Stafford (#9), RB Sony Michel (#25) and WR Odell Beckham Jr. (#3). All of have been key contributors, though Stafford is by far the biggest upgrade. Sure, the Rams made the 2019 Super Bowl with Jared Goff, but Stafford, finishing his 13th pro season, is a class above. After languishing in Detroit for a dozen years, he's been a main cog in the Rams getting this far. No one is better against the blitz than Stafford, and while he can make some head-scratching throws and turn over the ball, he also makes some head-shaking passes that put you in awe. And, like Burrow, he has one of the league's best targets in unanimous All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp (#10). Opponents could put all 11 defenders on the guy and he'd still get free, as his triple crown of receiving shows: 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. He's been just as unstoppable in the playoffs, and this could be a major mismatch. Bengals CBs Eli Apple (#20), Chidobe Awuzie (#22), Mike Hilton (#21) and Tre Flowers (#33) will be tests bigtime.
Cincinnati is stronger at safety with Vonn Bell (#24), whose pick of Patrick Mahomes set up the winning field goal for the AFC title, and Jessie Bates III (#30). The entire bunch also must account for Beckham, who seems to be re-energized in LA, and Van Jefferson (#12). Michel and Cam Akers (#23), who came back quickly from a torn Achilles tendon, share backfield duties, but this is a throw-first team operating behind standouts such as Whitworth. The 16-year veteran figures to be challenged by Cincinnati's top pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson (#91), and DE Sam Hubbard (#94), who was terrific against the Chiefs. The Bengals don't have a linebacker in Miller's class, but Logan Wilson (#55) and Germaine Pratt (#57) have made some key plays in the postseason.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
It's all about rookie Evan McPherson (#2). The fifth-round draft choice (no, Cincinnati did not bungle a pick on a kicker here) the kid has hit all 12 of his field goals, including four in the wild-card round, then winners at Tennessee and Kansas City. P Kevin Huber (#10) did not have a particularly strong season, but he's a veteran who has kicked in the postseason before. LA's Matt Gay (#8) is steady enough, and he also has two straight winning field goals in the playoffs. P Johnny Hekker (#6) has been one of the league’s best punters for a decade, and is a threat on fake punts. Neither team scares you on kick returns.
INTANGIBLES:
The Rams are built for now. They have been all-in on this season, using lots of draft capital — not to mention $$$ capital — on this roster. They also have the bitter memory of a putrid performance against New England in the 2019 Super Bowl. For those who think this is gravy for the surprising Bengals, remember they are 0-2 in Super Bowls, both losses to the dynastic 49ers, though in close contests. They also hadn't won a postseason game since 1991. What do they have to lose now?
TEAM/COACHING NOTES:
• The Rams will seek their second Super Bowl title and their first as a Los Angeles-based team in their fifth appearance. They last won 1999's Super Bowl XXXIV as the St. Louis Rams and last appeared in 2018's Super Bowl LIII. The Bengals will seek their first Super Bowl title in their third appearance. They last appeared in 1988's Super Bowl XXIII. Both teams finished the regular season as their respective conference's 4-seed, making this the first Super Bowl without a top-3 seed from either conference since seeding was introduced in 1975.
• This is the second-consecutive and second overall Super Bowl to feature a team playing in its home stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV in Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida, their home stadium, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 on February 13, 2021.
• The Rams will be the first NFL team to have their home stadium host a conference championship and the Super Bowl in the same season.
• The Rams will be the designated visiting team as the home team alternates between the two conferences annually. Nevertheless, they will still use their locker room. The Bengals will use the home locker room of the Los Angeles Chargers, who share the stadium with the Rams.
• This will be the Rams' second Super Bowl in their home market after 1979's Super Bowl XIV, which was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
• As the designated home team, the Bengals chose to wear their home black jerseys with white pants. The Rams selected newly-unveiled alternate white jerseys with yellow pants.
• The Bengals are the third team to make the Super Bowl after having the league's worst record two years earlier, following the 1981 San Francisco 49ers and the 2003 Carolina Panthers.
• With McVay at age 36 and Taylor at age 38, Super Bowl LVI features the youngest pair of opposing head coaches and is the first where both were under 40.
• Taylor worked under McVay for two seasons as the Rams assistant wide receivers coach in 2017 and quarterback coach in 2018.
• The Bengals are one of six active teams that have not won a Super Bowl, NFL Championship, or AFL Championship. The other five are the Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.
• This will be the second time in Super Bowl history where two quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall will face each other in the championship game. In the previous matchup, Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos defeated Cam Newton’s Panthers 24-10 at Super Bowl 50.
• The last time the Bengals made the Super Bowl was in the 1988 season, where they were defeated 20-16 by the San Francisco 49ers. Only two active players on the Bengals roster were born when that took place – long snapper Clark Harris and punter Kevin Huber.
• Stafford and Burrow combined for 31 interceptions during the regular season. That total is the most for Super Bowl starting quarterbacks since New England Patriots quarterback Brady and St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner combined for 34 in 2001.
• The Rams are seeking their first Super Bowl win while playing in Los Angeles. Their last and only Super Bowl win, in 1999, came as the St. Louis Rams, their name/location from 1995-2015.
• The Rams won two championships before the Super Bowl era, first as the Cleveland Rams in 1945 and then as the Los Angeles Rams in 1951.
OFFICIATING CREW:
• Referee: Ron Torbert (#62)
• Umpire: Bryan Neale (#92)
• Down Judge: Derick Bowers (#74 — (XLIII)
• Line Judge: Carl Johnson (#101 — XLII, LIV)
• Field Judge: Rick Patterson (#15 — XXXVII, XXXIX)
• Side Judge: Keith Washington (#7)
• Back Judge: Scott Helverson (#93 — XLII, XLV)
• Replay Official: Roddy Ames
• Replay assistant: Sean McKee
Alternate officials:
• 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)
• Replay official: Mark Butterworth
STADIUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Attendees age 5+ must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative PCR test within 48 hours or negative antigen (rapid) test within 24 hours of gameday.
• Attendees 18+ are required to display government issued ID as verification.
• All attendees age 2+ are required to WEAR FACE COVERINGS AT ALL TIMES, except while actively eating or drinking regardless of vaccination status.
SUPER BOWL LVI GAME PROGRAM:
PRE-GAME CEREMONIES:
Country singer Mickey Guyton will perform the National Anthem, making her the first black female country singer to perform the national anthem at the game, while Jhené Aiko will perform “America the Beautiful” and Mary Mary accompanied by the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the “Black National Anthem.” Zedd, a Grammy winning DJ, will handle pregame music.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar; presented by Pepsi
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Super Bowl LVI will be televised by NBC, as part of a one-time modification to an annual cycle among the three main broadcast television partners of the NFL. The game will be broadcast in Spanish by NBC's sister network Telemundo, marking the first time that a dedicated Spanish-language telecast will air on broadcast television. The network plans to employ additional goal line, sideline, and end zone camera angles, and a new on-air graphics package. The broadcast will feature a special intro starring actress Halle Berry.
Under the normal cycle, the game would have been televised by CBS. However, in order to avoid counterprogramming the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing — which are televised exclusively by NBC — the NFL announced on March 13, 2019 that NBC had agreed to swap 2021's Super Bowl LV to CBS in exchange for Super Bowl LVI. This will be the first Super Bowl to occur during the timeframe of an ongoing Olympic Games: primetime coverage of the Olympics would have had to compete with the Super Bowl — diluting viewership and advertising revenue for CBS and NBC, and there is an unsaid gentleman's agreement between the NFL's broadcasters to not air competing original programming against the Super Bowl. This agreement gives NBC rights to both events, and the network to maximize the potential advertising revenue from both events (as it did for Super Bowl LII, which began prior to the 2018 Winter Olympics).
NBC subsequently announced in November 2021 that a block of primetime coverage for the Games will air after Super Bowl LVI in lieu of new entertainment programming. Unlike 2018, where he skipped Super Bowl LII in order to prepare for his first Olympics as primetime host, Mike Tirico will host both Super Bowl LVI and the Olympics. He plans to anchor the Games from Beijing through February 10, after which he will fly back to Los Angeles for the Super Bowl, and anchor the Games' primetime coverage remotely from a studio outside SoFi Stadium (which will be one of the main venues of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles) from February 11.
Super Bowl LVI will also be televised in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Turkey, Latin America, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Belgium, and the Philippines.
ADVERTISING:
NBC charged an estimated cost of $6.5 million for a 30-second commercial at Super Bowl LVI, more than the $5.5 million that CBS charged during the previous year. Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Hyundai, and Pepsi are among the sponsors that return after skipping the previous Super Bowl due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUPER BOWL LVI FACTS:
• The NFC and AFC alternate each year as to which conference representative will be "home" team. This year the AFC team (Cincinnati) will be the "home" club, and as such will get to select either their road "whites" or "home" colors. The Rams will then be forced to contrast colors, depending on what the Bengals choose. In 2021, the Bucs were hosting the Super Bowl in their home stadium, but chose to wear their "road whites", forcing the visiting Chiefs to wear their home "reds"!
• Only two starting quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl for two different teams — Peyton Manning (Colts and Broncos) and Tom Brady (Patriots and Bucs).
• The Minnesota Vikings are the only team to have played in as many as four Super Bowls and never held a lead.
• The city of Miami has hosted the most Super Bowl games — 11.
• The Oakland Raiders were the first wildcard team to win a Super Bowl (1981 beat Eagles 27-10).
• Franco Harris still holds the career rushing yards record in Super Bowl games (354 total yards in four games as a Steeler).
• Ken Stabler (Oakland) was the first left-handed quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
• Two teams hold the record for most Super Bowl losses with 5 each (Patriots and Broncos).
• The Patriots and Steelers each have won the most Super Bowls — 6.
• The oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl was Tom Brady last year at age 43.
• The first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl was Doug Williams.
• The lowest scoring Super Bowl in history was Super Bowl LIII (Patriots 13, Rams 3).
• The earliest Super Bowl on the calendar was January 9, 1977 (Raiders beat Vikings). The latest will be February 13, 2022 - this year!
• NFL great Roger Staubach holds the record for most career Super Bowl fumbles (5 in four
games).
• Tom Brady led the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. After scoring only 3 points and down by 25 points, he led five consecutive scoring drives as the Patriots beat the Falcons in 2017, 34-28.
• The most points ever scored in one Super Bowl was 75 in 1995, 49'ers 49, Chargers 26.
• Only two players have ever won the Super Bowl MVP award in back-to-back years: Bart Starr and Terry Bradshaw.
• Tom Brady has played in the most Super Bowls (10). He has won the Super Bowl MVP award five times.
• The team that has had the most Super Bowl MVP's is the Dallas Cowboys (7)
SUPER BOWL LVI BY THE NUMBERS is HERE.
THE ROAD TO SUPER BOWL LVI:
WILD CARD WEEKEND
Saturday, January 15
Cincinnati Bengals 26, Las Vegas Raiders 19
Buffalo Bills 47, New England Patriots 17
Sunday, January 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Philadelphia Eagles 15
San Francisco 49ers 23, Dallas Cowboys 17
Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Kansas City Chiefs 42
Monday, January 17
Arizona Cardinals 11, Los Angeles Rams 34
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Saturday, January 22
Cincinnati Bengals 19, Tennessee Titans 16
San Francisco 49ers 13, Green Bay Packers 10
Sunday, January 23
Los Angeles Rams 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27
Buffalo Bills 36, Kansas City Chiefs 42 (OT)
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday, January 30
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Kansas City Chiefs 24 (OT)
San Francisco 49ers 17, Los Angeles Rams 20
SUPER BOWL LVI
Sunday, February 13
Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20
Future Super Bowl Locations:
2023: Super Bowl LVII: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
2024: Super Bowl LVIII: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
2025: Super Bowl LIX: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
2026: Super Bowl LX: TBA
