Super Bowl LVI: Los Angeles Rams eager to ‘finish this deal’ and triumph on home turf against Cincinnati Bengals
- The Rams are on the brink of fulfilling their target six years after the franchise returned from St Louis
- Bengals are on a high after rallying against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game to reach their first Super Bowl since 1989
There could not be a more perfect scenario for the star-studded Rams. Six years after returning from St Louis, they fulfilled a mandate to play in Super Bowl LVI at owner Stan Kroenke’s US$5 billion SoFi Stadium. Coach Sean McVay and his team have spent two weeks preparing at their own practice facility – and sleeping in their own beds.
On Sunday, they will play AFC champions Cincinnati Bengals with an opportunity to celebrate a victory on their home turf. All they must do is complete the final step and win.
“Just like any other Sunday – it just happens to be a Super Bowl and the biggest game of our lives,” Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald said. “One last game to let everything hang out and find a way to win …. Couldn’t write it no better.”
The Rams began plotting for this day in January 2021 when they traded for star quarterback Matthew Stafford, adding him to a roster that included All-Pro players such as Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. During the season they traded for star linebacker Von Miller and signed star receiver Odell Beckham Jnr, and then topped it off by signing retired star safety Eric Weddle before the play-offs.
“Hey, we got one more game to go,” general manager Les Snead said. “We know the opportunity we have.”