Super Bowl LVI Is Ripe With Compelling Storylines

Stoney Keeley takes a look at some of the most interesting storylines of the game heading into Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

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We’ve finally made it to the end of another zany Super Bowl week, and now that all of the questions about Zubaz have come and gone, it’s time to get down to the game: Super Bowl LVI. If you had told me I’d be sitting here writing about the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams playing for a championship, I would’ve called you crazy. And yet, here we are. Most sports books have the Rams as the favorites at around -4, with a point total set at over/under 48.5. Both numbers are highly interesting. Even though this match-up feels unexpected and random, that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of interesting storylines heading into the game. Let’s the hit the highlights.

Super Bowl LVI Storylines

Matthew Stafford, my goodness – we have to start here, right?! The Rams quarterback gave his all for the Detroit Lions for 12 seasons before being traded to Los Angeles. Because of the inability of that franchise to sustain success, he’s often been considered among the second tier of NFL quarterbacks because of his lack of success (and experience, for that matter) in the postseason, although he has the pedigree and talent of a champion. He’s an easy guy to root for, and in a society and culture that values the concept of ‘hard work pays off,’ few deserve it more than Stafford.
For Rams head coach Sean McVay, this game is about chasing the Super Bowl that got away. Three years ago, the Rams and New England Patriots had what many consider to be one of the more boring Super Bowl match-ups of all time. It was a defensive battle that saw the Rams on the losing end of it. Since then, McVay hasn’t been back. With all of the hype surrounding McVay, and everyone who’s ever had a cup of coffee with the guy getting a head coaching job, the pressure is on McVay to start delivering. Personally, I think he’s an easy guy to root for – he’s gracious and giving to the media, and he absolutely glows when he gets the chance to talk about one of his players. He’s one of the greatest in the game today, but he has to start building his trophy case if he’s going to ascend to that next level in NFL history.
The rise of Joe Burrow throughout this NFL postseason has installed a new version of ‘Joe Cool’ into the American tackle football lexicon. There’s no doubt that he has arrived – now, the question’s going to be whether or not he can deliver in the biggest game of them all. The comparisons to Tom Brady are already being drawn (fair or foul), and I can’t imagine the parallels that will be drawn if he actually beats the Rams in his first Super Bowl just as Brady did.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has a bit of a ‘rags to riches’ story going for him. I mean, it wasn’t too long ago that folks were starting to say Taylor’s seat was beginning to warm up. But, what he’s done with this franchise is laudable.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Ja’Marr Chase is going to be one of the most hotly contested match-ups in the actual game. I’ll be interested to see if the Rams decide to just have Ramsey shadow Chase, and how the Bengals use Chase in response. Taylor and company will try to get creative to put Chase in advantageous situations, but this is an instance of iron sharpening iron. I can’t wait to see who wins.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was kind of vilified after his run with the Cleveland Browns. Folks called him toxic, said he was a locker room cancer, and all kinds of things that just simply weren’t true. Since signing with the Rams, he’s been nothing but a good teammate and a reliable spark on offense. This has been a nice little redemption story for a guy who was once considered to be the most electric playmaker in the NFL. He is one of several veteran players in this game that deserves to be called a champion.
The Bengals are going from four wins a season ago to the Super Bowl this year. It’s a testament to the parity in the NFL, and it gives every other team and fan base in the league hope that that could be them next season. Even you, Jags and Texans fans….even you.
I don’t think you can talk about this game and guys who genuinely deserve a Super Bowl ring without talking about Aaron Donald. He is a generational talent, and could go down as the best defensive lineman in NFL history. The king deserves a crown.
Bengals punter Kevin Huber was born in Cincinnati, played for the University of Cincinnati, and ended up being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he has played his entire NFL career since 2009. Now, he has a chance to help his team win a Super Bowl for his hometown. Does Hollywood make movies about punters?!
Ricardo Allen joined the Bengals this season because he didn’t want to be apart of another rebuild with the Atlanta Falcons. He was apart of that team that blew the lead to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI, and apparently, he hasn’t heard the end of that this week. Sunday will be a chance at redemption for Allen as well.
It feels like the Bengals have been winning in spite of their poor offensive line play. They haven’t been good, but all they’ve heard for the last two weeks is how much they suck. Could it inspire the game of a lifetime from this unit going up against a fierce defensive front? Those guys need to rise to the occasion.

If I missed one, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments. I attended as many of the virtual press conferences as I could this week, but I couldn’t get to ’em all. Regardless of what you’re doing for the game on Sunday, stay safe and be responsible. If you drink, don’t drive. Do the watermelon crawl.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley