Entering the 2021 season, the Cincinnati Bengals were among the longest shots to make it to the Super Bowl. They surprised “experts” first by contending for a playoff spot, and then by clinching the AFC North title with a win over the Chiefs. They further proved people wrong, not only by winning their first playoff game in over 30 years, but by making a run all the way to the Super Bowl, where they would face the Los Angeles Rams.
It was a slow start for the Bengals offence, who was unable to take advantage of an opening drive stop by the defence. The Rams would open the scoring after getting good field position on their second drive. A 20 yard pass to Cooper Kupp was sandwiched in between a few shorter gains. Matthew Stafford would cap off the drive by hitting Odell beckham jr. for a 17 yard TD.
Later on, Zac Taylor dialled up a deep shot. Burrow launched it down the right sideline where Ja’Marr Chase made a spectacular one handed catch at the 11. Unfortunately, they would stall out and have to settle for a field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3.
On the next drive, Stafford was able to hook up with OBJ for 35 yards. This was followed up by a 25 yard pass to Henderson. Two plays later, Matt Stafford would find Kupp for an 11 yard TD, extending their lead to 13-3.
Cincinnati would respond. It was their most complete drive to this point. Boyd, Chase, and Higgins were all involved, while Joe Mixon finally found some running room. On 2nd & goal from the 6, Zac Taylor called a rare trick play. You could call it the Cincy Special, as it was Joe Mixon who lobbed it to the back of the end zone for Tee Higgins. The Bengals first major score on the day made it 13-10. Thanks to a Jessie Bates interception in the end zone, the score would remain this way at the half.
The Bengals exploded out of the gate in the 2nd. On the opening play, Burrow was able to evade pressure and find Tee Higgins deep down the left sideline. With Ramsey on the ground, Higgins was able to get into the end zone untouched. It was a 75 yard touchdown, and it gave the Bengals their first lead of the day.
Exactly one play later, Stafford was picked off by Chidobe Awuzie. It was intended for Skowronek, but the ball bounced off his hands, right to Awuzie. But even with the good field position, the Bengals had to settle for a field goal, giving them a 20-13 lead.
The Rams would match Cincy’s field goal, making it 20-16, which is how it would stay for a while, as the two defences battled it out. Guys like Aaron Donald and Von Miller gave Burrow trouble in the backfield, while Reader, Hubbard, and Hendrickson did their part to limit what Stafford was able to do.
After all the stalled drives, the Rams offence would break the long deadlock since the last score. They went on a massive 15 play drive. Rookie TE Brycen Hopkins saw some involvement, but there was a clear point being made by the Rams to include Cooper Kupp. They made sure to lean on their top guy, and he gashed the Bengals for a 22 yard catch to get deep into Cincinnati territory.
Now in a 1st & goal situation at the Bengals 8 yard line, Stafford threw 2 straight incompletions. On 3rd down, Logan Wilson made a great play to break up a pass intended for Kupp, but he was called for a phantom holding call. This flag gifted the Rams a new set of downs. They would find the end zone on the next play, but it was nullified due to offsetting penalties. A few plays later, Stafford found Kupp for a 1 yard score.
In do or die mode, the Bengals offence entered the field, down by 3. Burrow started the drive with a 17 yard pass to Chase, which was followed by a 9 yard pass to Boyd. An incompletion on 2nd down put them in a 3rd & 1 situation. A questionable call to hand the ball to Perine led to a stuff at the line, meaning the Bengals had one down left.
4th & 1 from the Rams 49. Burrow took the snap and was immediately pressured by Aaron Donald. Donald had Burrow in his grasp, and the Bengals QB let go of a desperation throw in Perine’s direction. Unfortunately, the pass fell incomplete, ending the Bengals chance at a Super Bowl. Adding some salt to the wound was the fact that Chase had beaten Ramsey deep, but Burrow did not have time to look his way.
It is an unfortunate end to a great season put together by the Bengals. What Burrow, a 2nd year QB coming off a major injury, was able to put together is nothing short of spectacular. As well, rising stars like Higgins, and established vets like Mixon, Boyd, Reader, and Hendrickson, played a big role in getting the Bengals this close to the end goal.
The future remains bright, and the Bengals will have their sights set on improving the weaknesses on the roster. They now have the 31st pick in the draft, as well as over $50M in cap space. The OL will be a priority, as well as re-signing key players like Jessie Bates.
Homescreen Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)
