Well, we’ve reached the final Sunday in the NFL season. That’s right, it’s time for Super Bowl 56 – the big game that simply commands your attention.

While the four podcasters predicting the outcome of this one have no horse in the race, they can all agree upon the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams certainly earned their way into this one. The Bengals earned their trip to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles with a remarkable second half comeback to take down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Trailing 21-10 at the half and clearly being outplayed, the Bengals, led by superb second-year quarterback Joe Burrow, rallied and dominated KC. However, the unsung hero in this one might be whatever scout put the work in on kicker Evan McPherson as the rookie nailed a 31-yarder for the win, his second OT kick this postseason. If you had the Bengals in the Super Bowl at the start of the year you are either a Bengals fan or knew something that many others did not as the team was picked by most to be middle of the pack.

The Rams, on the other hand, have been on most people’s radar since their big trade during the off-season that brought them quarterback Matthew Stafford – and, essentially, relegated them to day 2 status during the draft for the foreseeable future. Much maligned for his lack of playoff success, Stafford has proven himself this year and has the Rams on the verge of their second Super Bowl championship (though the first one came when the team played in St. Louis). The Rams made it to SoFi – their home stadium – by finally beating division rival San Francisco, something they could not do in the regular season. While Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham, Jr. are the ones who get much of the press, the key for the Rams in this one may be their defense. Led by 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, linebacker Leonard Floyd, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the Rams’ defense has the potential to make life very difficult for Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the rest of the Bengals’ offense.

Of course, the Super Bowl is often about more than just the game as players must deal with lengthy pre-game ceremonies, a longer than usual halftime, and the pomp and circumstance that comes with the once a year spectacle. Time will tell if the Rams’ 2019 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII benefits them this time around as several key members of the team and head coach Sean McVay were on hand for that game. Of course, sometimes even experience is no match for destiny and – in this year’s Bengals team – swagger.

So, sit back and take a listen as our Pigskin Podcasters take command of the airwaves and discuss Super Bowl 56 on the PBHS Edge Pigskin Podcast.

Pigskin Podcast – Super Bowl Weekend (Youtube)

Pigskin Podcast – Super Bowl Weekend (audio)