NFL Playoffs: Bengals and Rams score late to set up Superbowl clash

The 2022 NFL playoffs might be the craziest yet. Walk-off field goals sealed three unlikely results in the divisional round as the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals overcame underdog status to knock out higher-seeded opponents, and the late heroics certainly didn’t relent in the Conference Championships. 

It has been 33 years since the Cincinnati Bengals reached a Super Bowl and, given Zac Taylor’s side entered the postseason as the fourth seed in the AFC with a historically bad 0-7 record in playoff road games, the general vibe was that the drought may continue. But after drafting star quarterback Joe Burrow and accomplished rookies, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and kicker Evan McPherson, the Bengals dared to dream. That dream came true on Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to an early 21-3 lead courtesy of passing touchdowns to Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman. The game looked all but over at Arrowhead with 5:03 left to play in the second quarter. However, a momentum-shifting 41-yard screen pass touchdown from Burrow to Samaje Perine and a goal-line stop to end the half sparked life into the Bengals.

A range of subtle adjustments made by defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo led to a better organised and stingy Bengals defence in the second half, which forced the Chiefs to punt four times and turn the ball over once. In the interim, Chase and McPherson racked up points for the road side. Chiefs had to rely on a late Cairo Santos field goal to force overtime.

Winning the coin toss decides the game, right? Wrong. Chiefs received the ball first and could have won the game with a touchdown, but Vonn Bell’s clutch interception on third-and-10 saw Mahomes leave the field desolate. A few plays later McPherson sealed the win.

In their two previous Super Bowl appearances (1981, 1988) the Bengals were beaten by the 49ers, and those who strongly believe in fate may have anticipated an identical match-up this year. But the Rams proved resilient in the NFC Championship game and similarly came from behind as the secondary picked off a wayward Jimmy Garoppolo pass and kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter to win 20-17.

Heavily investing in free agency has been crucial for the Rams. Acquiring Matthew Stafford and Odell Beckham revitalised an already powerful offensive unit, while Von Miller’s presence at linebacker dramatically strengthened the pass rush. And achieving a lengthy playoff run is a major box ticked in the young career of innovative head coach Sean McVay.

In a wild season with numerous shocks and surprises, the 2022 Super Bowl will be contested by the Bengals (2.72) and the Rams (1.57), who perhaps hold a slight edge with the game being played at their home field, SoFi Stadium. A shootout between two versatile offences is expected and, judged by how the playoffs have gone so far, it is fair to say that it could go either way.