Super Bowl LVI: Bengals’ Joe Burrow can complete unprecedented ‘QB Triple Crown’

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Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow will burnish his already sizable legend if he leads the Bengals to victory in tonight’s Super Bowl LVI by becoming the first signal-caller in history to win the rarest of triple crowns: the Heisman Trophy, the college football national championship and the Lombardi Trophy.

To do that, Burrow will need to defeat the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams on their home turf at SoFi Stadium in what is expected to be the hottest Super Bowl on record. Southern California’s temperatures were well into the 80s Fahrenheit before kickoff. 

If the Bengals do win, they’d make fools of some big bettors after massive last-minute wagers on the favored Rams moved the point spread from 4 to 4.5 points at several sportsbooks.

According to BetMGM, three $1 million wagers on Los Angeles were placed by the same bettor: Rams -0.5 (+105) for the first quarter; Rams -2.5 (-120) for the first half; and Rams over 13.5 (-115) for the first half. If all three bets win, the bettor would clear more than $2.75 million.

Other large bets placed on the NFC champion Rams at the sportsbook included wagers of $500,000 and $330,000. One bettor took the underdog Bengals for $200,000 at +4.5 (-110).

‘As of Sunday morning, the sportsbook will need the Rams,’ said Jason Scott, vice president of trading at BetMGM. ‘We expect the majority of the Super Bowl action to come in today, which could change BetMGM’s rooting interest.’

Super Bowl LVI could make history at kickoff before either the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals begin the opening drives.

The temperature two hours before kickoff was 85 degrees with the chance for the gauge to go even higher by the time the ball is kicked off. That would make this the hottest Super Bowl ever, topping the record of 84 set on Jan. 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

California has been dealing with a heat wave with eight locations in the region posting record temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s earlier this week.

Getting into Sunday’s Super Bowl was predictably expensive.

StubHub says the get-in price Sunday was $3,800, a jump of 10 percent from Saturday, and the average price for tickets sold was $6,136. That’s a dip of 8 percent from Saturday.

The site still had more than 1,400 tickets available Sunday morning.

Fans from California have bought nearly 40 percent more tickets over the last 24 hours and also nearly 35 percent of new tickets sold in that span.

The Cincinnati faithful have been busy with buyers from Ohio accounting for 8 percent of sales.

One man who didn’t pay his way in was the Bengals’ C.J. Uzomah, who was cleared by team doctors.

The tight end who took off the brace around his left knee at a pep rally a week ago in Cincinnati and tossed it back over his head is active for the season finale at SoFi Stadium. Uzomah was limited to nine snaps in the AFC championship game after hurting his knee.

The Rams also confirmed running back Darrell Henderson and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day are active for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles’ home stadium. Rookie running back Jake Funk was inactive to clear a spot for Henderson.

Henderson, who rushed for 688 yards this season, hasn’t played since Dec. 26 because of a knee injury. Joseph-Day, a three-year starter and perhaps the Rams’ top run-stopper, injured his pectoral muscle in October and underwent surgery in November.

The Bengals scratched defensive tackles Mike Daniels and Tyler Shelvin, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, defensive end Wyatt Ray, offensive lineman Fred Johnson, wide receiver Trenton Irwin and running back Trayveon Williams.

The Rams’ inactives were third quarterback Bryce Perkins, Funk, linebackers Terrell Lewis and Chris Garrett, offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum Jr., defensive lineman Bobby Brown III and defensive back Blake Countess. 

Burrow won the Heisman in leading Louisiana State University to a 15-0 record and the national crown during the 2019 season. Another Southeastern Conference quarterback, Auburn’s Cam Newton, was the only other quarterback to even have a shot at hitting the rare trifecta, but lost in the Super Bowl L to the Denver Broncos.  

The Auburn quarterback won the Heisman and led the Tigers to the national championships in 2010, then took the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50, where he fell short against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Only Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen has had the distinction of winning the triple crown, winning the Heisman and the NCAA title with USC and then powering the then-Los Angeles Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XVIII over the Redskins. He even added the MVP award for a performance that included one of the greatest runs in Super Bowl history. 

Only 10 Heisman winners have won in the previous 55 Super Bowls, including just two quarterbacks – Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland’s Jim Plunkett.  

Burrow (+225) is the betting favorite at BetMGM for Super Bowl MVP honors, drawing 18 percent of the tickets and 25 percent of the handle.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (+1400) has received 17.9 percent of the bets and 19.2 percent of the handle for MVP honors at DraftKings.

Among other prop bets at BetMGM, 59 percent of the tickets and 58 percent of the handle favor “tails” (-105) for the pregame coin toss. The betting favorite for the color of the postgame Gatorade shower is Yellow/Green/Lime (+350), with 29 percent of the tickets and 26 percent of the handle.

The mercury in Southern California is expected to hover in the mid-80s for the 3:30 pm (local time) kickoff, challenging the 84 degrees at game time in 1973 – when the Miami Dolphins capped the only perfect season in NFL history with a win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII at the LA Coliseum.

The architects behind $5.5 billion ‘indoor-outdoor’ stadium said the hot conditions will play to its strengths, despite the fact that the stadium lacks air conditioning.

The stadium’s curved form and aerodynamic canopy was inspired by the Southern California coastline to promote natural cooling, said Lance Evans, HKS director of sports and the architect who led the stadium’s design.

‘Because there are no walls – the roof is “anchored” at four different spots – fans feel the Pacific breeze while “inside” the 70,000-seat stadium,’ Evans told Reuters in an email.

Perforations on the canopy act as a valve to let hot air out and cool air in, said Bill Zahner, CEO of Zahner, which implemented HKS’s vision for the semi-translucent roof.

‘Even the color of the canopy was deliberate – the custom white finish of the facade panels reflects the sun’s infrared light,’ Zahner said.

At night a 14-acre LED screen on the roof, essentially a giant television, serves as a ‘welcome card’ to visitors landing at nearby Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), displaying images of all kinds.

‘@RamsNFL bring another ring to LA!’ read a tweet by Lakers great Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson that appeared on the stadium, which is home to the LA Rams, who will take on the Bengals in Sunday’s championship game, and the LA Chargers.

Once inside, fans are greeted by a 360-degree, double-sided infinity screen that draws them into the action no matter where they are in the stadium. 

At more than 125 yards long and 75 yards wide, the screen is larger than the field it hangs above and is the largest ever made for a sports venue.

In addition to the stadium, which can hold more than 100,000 fans, the complex also includes a 6,000 seat theater, a 2.5 acre plaza and a 25-acre community park. 

And there is still more to come.

Commercial and residential properties are set to open in Hollywood Park, with SoFi, funded and developed by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, serving as the centerpiece.

SoFi’s schedule is already filling up.

The stadium is set to host College Football Playoffs next year, will likely host World Cup soccer matches in 2026, may hold the Super Bowl again in 2027, and will be the stage of the Olympics opening ceremony in 2028.

‘We wanted to create the living room for the city of Inglewood while also creating a global stage,’ said Mark Williams, a global director at HKS.

‘It will be very visible to the world as it hosts mega events, like what we’re going to see with the Super Bowl.’

For the underdog Cincinnati Bengals and their long-suffering fans, a win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday might feel like too much to hope for given the team’s painful history dating back to 1968.

Prior to their thrilling upset over Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game on January 30, the Bengals had reached only two Super Bowls ever, losing to Joe Montana’s San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and 1989.

Since then, the franchise has defined ineptitude under owner Mike Brown, the son of franchise’s founder and first coach, Paul. Once-promising quarterback prospects like David Klinger and Akili Smith flamed out of the league, players like receiver Carl Pickens publicly criticized the front office, and the Bengals failed to win a single playoff game for more than three decades.

Even in 2021, the Bengals still had little, if any, expectations.

The perennial NFL doormats entered the preseason as 150-1 long shots to capture a league title for several reasons: they won just six combined games under head coach Zac Taylor in 2019 and 2020, and their anointed savior, Burrow, was coming off a season-ending knee injury.

History certainly wasn’t on their side. Only 11 teams since 1977 had reached the Super Bowl after facing odds of 50-1 or longer before the season, according to Sporting News.

But the Bengals wouldn’t be the first 150-1 longshot to win the Lombardi Trophy. The Rams, of all teams, already accomplished that remarkable feat in 1999.

Led by grocery store clerk-turned-Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, the then-St. Louis Rams shocked the NFL universe by going 13-3 before beating the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.

It remains the franchise’s only Super Bowl title, which is why the stakes are somewhat different for these Rams, who are still trying to win over a city the team once abandoned in 1995 by moving to St. Louis.  

Founded in Cleveland in 1937 and now in their second stint in Los Angeles, the Rams have struggled to capture the hearts of the famously fickle Southern Californians since returning in 2016.

They just barely averaged more fans in 2021 than the 9-8 Los Angeles Chargers, with whom they share SoFi Stadium. And in the NFC title game against the visiting 49ers, the Rams appeared to have fewer supporters in the stands despite reported efforts to limit ticket sales around the San Francisco area.  

Of course, winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl in LA could win favor with Angelenos — something the Rams failed to do against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. 

As for advantages, well, the Rams are playing in their own stadium and haven’t had to leave California for weeks. The Bengals needed to escape Cincinnati’s winter and headed west two days before they were scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles.

No matter; the Bengals have arrived and actually are designated the home team because of the conference rotation for the big game. They don’t appear in awe of, well, anything.

‘This is what you work so hard for,’ Burrow said. ‘We didn’t go into last season saying that we have to have a great offseason to make it to the Super Bowl next year. I think everyone just went into it and knew they had to get better as players so we could be better as a team.’

Mission accomplished – with one huge step remaining.

LA has the experience and, appropriately, within reach of Hollywood, most of the established stars in this matchup: Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey on defense; Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. on offense.

Yet the Bengals won the awards contest, Burrow (Comeback Player) and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (Offensive Rookie) against Kupp’s top offensive player honor.

Quite often it’s the bigger names who stand out in the Super Bowl. But some of the intrigue here centers on guys who seemed to have made breakthroughs in these playoffs. Many of those are on Cincinnati’s side: rookie kicker Evan McPherson, perfect on all his kicks, including two winning fields goals on the final play; tight end C.J. Uzomah, emerging in his seventh pro season; defensive end Sam Hubbard; and linebacker Logan Wilson. 

Even Cincy’s coach, Taylor, has risen toward the heights of the profession after a 6-25-1 mark in his first two seasons.

‘It’s awesome,’ says Rams coach Sean McVay. ‘Zac’s a great coach. I think the resilience, the mental toughness, the things that they’ve gone through to get to this point is great. I think it’s such credit to his leadership.

‘I love Zac Taylor. I’m so happy for him. I think that team plays with a swagger and a confidence similar to the way Zac carries himself. He’s so steady. He’s always so neutral.’

Of course, Taylor worked under McVay for two seasons before the Bengals came calling. And McVay, still only 36, is in his second Super Bowl and has taken his team to the playoffs in four of his five years in charge.

One worry about the Rams is how they keep some games closer than maybe they should be. Turnovers, poor play calls and poorer decisions have damaged them, though not enough to keep them from winning the NFC.

Overall, it’s hard, maybe impossible, to argue that the Bengals are more talented than the Rams. Indeed, Cincy might not rank in the top eight or so in the NFL in that area.

But talent isn’t always the deciding factor. Resolve, versatility, confidence and even luck play a role. Sometimes a big one.

That said, the Rams are 4-point favorites according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks can ride with them.

There will be more than enough star power on the field Sunday at the Super Bowl to match the celebrities in the stands at SoFi Stadium.

‘I think if you look cool in the dictionary, there’s a picture of him in some Cartier shades,’ Beckham said of Burrow, a fellow LSU product. ‘This guy is smooth and truly, as … he’s going to be one of the greats, I feel like. And I truly believe that Joe Burrow yes, is definitely cool, for sure.’

Burrow has earned plenty of attention leading the Bengals far beyond worst to first in just his second NFL season. With Cincinnati’s first Super Bowl berth since the 1988 season, Burrow is the toast of Ohio. LeBron James has reached out to him and rapper Kid Cudi direct messaged Burrow on social media.

It’s why Burrow is staying off social media.

‘I haven’t checked in a while,’ Burrow said. ‘My phone hasn’t been blowing up as much, so that’s been nice. Just trying to eliminate those distractions. But yeah, the social part of the position that I’m in, it’s crazier than the football part to me.’

Burrow showed off his fashion sense at the AFC title game. First with a big coat on his way into Arrowhead Stadium, then with a gold and diamond necklace over his classic black turtleneck postgame. Cincinnati rookie kicker Evan McPherson says Burrow’s style is pushing him to up his own game for the Super Bowl.

‘I probably learned a thing or two from him …,’ McPherson said. ‘My favorite one is probably the jacket from this past (game) in my opinion. It’s definitely special and definitely unique.’ 

The Rams live in Los Angeles – Hollywood, you know – so style comes naturally. No outfit can come close to matching the sheer star power on the roster for a team that seemingly can’t collect enough big names.

They traded for Stafford, upgrading significantly at quarterback. During this season, they traded for linebacker Von Miller, the NFL’s active sacks leader and Super Bowl 50 MVP; signed Beckham in November after he was released by Cleveland; and lured safety Eric Weddle out of retirement for the postseason.

‘We got a lot of stars over here,’ Ramsey said. ‘We oozing with confidence as well. So don’t forget about who we really are over here. We’ve been playing some great ball in this postseason. And you know obviously we got individual guys who have been great and doing great things in this league for years and years and years.’

Kupp turned in the best performance by a receiver in the NFL with 145 catches for 1,947 yards. He credits coach Sean McVay with not shying away from letting his best players work against each other.

‘I get to line up against Jalen Ramsey and compete against Jalen Ramsey every single week,’ Kupp said. ‘Now, that is a huge advantage for me, and so thankful that coach allows us to be in those positions to compete against each other to sharpen each other.’ 

McVay, who has the Rams in their second Super Bowl in four seasons, sees all those stars sharing several of the same traits. They all love football, are extremely intelligent and want to win. McVay and his coaches explain why something needs to happen, and the Rams follow through.

‘That has been a huge part of why this team has been special,’ McVay said. ‘Yes, you have a lot of guys who’ve established themselves as big-time players in this league, but one of the thing’s that’s common about all those guys, they’re great competitors that they want to win a championship.’

In addition to Burrow, Cincinnati has a star in the making in Pro Bowl rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

For a team used to playing at 1 p.m. each Sunday through the season far from nationally televised games, the Bengals are eager to take advantage of this spotlight.

‘We got to prove ourselves to get on the big stage, and that’s what we’ve done,’ Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Boyd said. ‘And it’s showing off.’

Exactly the way stars do.