-
Tory BarronESPN Editor
At the risk of stating the obvious, it all comes down to this. After 13 seasons in the NFL (12 with the Detroit Lions), Matthew Stafford finally has a chance to capture an elusive Super Bowl ring in his first season as quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams.
On the other end of the equation is Joe Burrow, who looks to put an exclamation point on his Comeback Player of the Year season by leading the Cincinnati Bengals to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.
A Bengals win would not only cement Burrow’s position in Who Dey Nation lore, but his status as the only quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, a national title and a Super Bowl. Not too shabby for a second-year quarterback.
For the Rams, a win would justify a plethora of splashy personnel moves that include adding Stafford, Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller to a roster already touting defensive powerhouse Aaron Donald and standout wideout Cooper Kupp.
As the Rams and Bengals prepare for one more day of work, there is someone sitting at home who feels, well, left out.
Super Bowl regular — and recent retiree — Tom Brady took to Twitter to seemingly lament not having the opportunity to compete for an eighth ring.
Sh*t… pic.twitter.com/TR6kr6Bgss
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 13, 2022
Super Bowl Sunday without Brady? That one is likely going to take some getting used to.
If you can’t be at SoFi Stadium today, this is basically the next best thing. Here’s what’s going down in Los Angeles:
Bengals in the building
The Tiger King indeed. We’ve grown accustomed to flashy pregame fits from Joey B this season, and Super Bowl LVI was no exception.
Joe Burrow’s #SBLVI fit pic.twitter.com/TyHuJNkPCZ
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) February 13, 2022
Unmatched confidence.
While his QB opted for a louder ensemble, Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase had the laid-back West Coast look on lock.
OROY in the building. 1️⃣@Real10jayy__ | #RuleItAll
📺: #SBLVI — 6:30pm ET on NBC
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/EWAiNtiPp5— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022
Joe Mixon is clearly fluent in the art of manifestation. The running back came through with an ode to victory in the form of an intricate suit lining showcasing the Lombardi Trophy, himself and Joe Schiesty.
.@Joe_MainMixon brought it. #RuleItAll | #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Azdyvtj9d5
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 13, 2022
Calm before the storm
It’s a beautiful day for some Super Bowl football. NFL Nation Bengals reporter Ben Baby took a moment to serve up a customary empty stadium picture, er — bask in the sites, before SoFi Stadium was overtaken with a sea of championship-starved fans and celebrities.
It doesn’t get much better than this. #SBLVI pic.twitter.com/DeD4ry13vY
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) February 13, 2022
Gear check
That Cincinnati No. 9 is looking right.
Joe. pic.twitter.com/uHikTXfqcZ
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 13, 2022
Burrow’s jersey likely won’t be that clean for much longer if the Rams’ Donald has anything to say about it.
9️⃣9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/xNmoNBnsyL
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 13, 2022
Meanwhile, OBJ’s kick game is exceptional. What else is new?
Custom cleats for the Super Bowl. 🔥 @obj | #RamsHouse
📺: #SBLVI — 6:30pm ET on NBC
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/CQDZuH5FPX— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022
That’s gonna cost you
Don’t worry, you can park within walking distance to the stadium. It’s just going to set you back $400.
Parking prices four blocks from the stadium going for as much as $400 this morning pic.twitter.com/g0KwCMW935
— Chris Grandstaff (@c_grandstaff) February 13, 2022
Supply and demand makes for a cold business.
Coin toss coincidence?
If losing the coin toss ahead of overtime is oftentimes the sign of one’s demise, winning it prior to opening kickoff at the Super Bowl might have the opposite implication.
Quirky but true: The team that loses the opening coin toss now has won the past seven Super Bowls, via @EpKap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2022