For 55 years I have been able to watch the Super Bowl without caring who won or loss. I didn’t care about bad calls, bad plays, interceptions, fumbles, etc. I just sat back and watched and enjoyed. Yesterday was different. I was not a neutral observer. I wanted Matt Stafford to play well and win. Like how I was nervous prior to Nathan Chen’s performance earlier in the week, I found myself getting very nervous prior to this game. After Stafford led the Rams to an early 13-0 lead, I was starting to relax, but then the Rams missed the extra point. When it happened, I said to Leah, that may comeback and haunt them. I was right.
The 13-0 lead was down to 13-10 by half time, with the Bengals having the momentum. The Rams had lost star wide receiver Odell Beckham to a knee injury, and he was not going to return in the second half. One play into the second half, the Bengals took the lead 17-13 on a 75-yard touchdown pass that had me screaming at the TV. I couldn’t believe the referees could miss such a blatant offensive pass interference call as the Bengal receiver yanked the facemask of the Ram player while throwing him to the ground, allowing the Bengal receiver to catch the ball and run untouched into the end zone. My emotions were at a peak, as I was thinking there is no way the football gods are going to allow the Bengals to win after blatantly cheating and getting away with it. On the Rams first play following the Bengal touchdown, Stafford’s pass bounced off the hands of the intended receiver into the hands of the Bengal’s safety for an interception. A few plays later, the Bengals kicked a field goal to take a 20-13 lead. By this time, I was thinking the “curse of Bobby Layne”, not only applied to the Lions but also to former Lions quarterbacks.
Fortunately, the Rams defense made some adjustments, and the Bengals offense couldn’t move the ball. The Rams were not much better, however they did manage to squeeze a field goal in between their multiple three-and-outs. When the Rams took over on offense with just over six minutes to play, I said to the TV, “Come-on Matthew, do what you did for the Lions 45 times, and lead the Rams on a last-minute game winning drive”. As Stafford ran onto the field he looked as cool as a cucumber. He knew it was time to abandon the running game and put the game on his right arm and Cooper Kupp’s skilled hands. Even though every player on the Bengal’s team knew where the ball was most likely going, there was not much they could do to stop it. Stafford sprinkled just enough throws to his third string tight end to keep the Bengal defense honest. Stafford and Kupp connected on four receptions for 39 yards, plus a jet sweep run by Kupp on fourth and three to keep the drive going. In addition, Kupp drew two pass interference calls in the endzone which set up the go-ahead TD pass to Kupp with 1:15 left.
Even though Stafford had led the Lions to 45 last minute victories, there were many more that he led them to the go-ahead-touchdown with less than a minute to go, only to have the defense falter and have the victory snatched away at the last second of the game. With 1:15 left on the clock, I was not feeling confident because I knew that “curse of Bobby Layne” and the missed extra point were going to come back and haunt Stafford and the Rams.
Fortunately for the Stafford, the Rams defense had Aaron Donald and Von Miller on their defensive line, and the two all-pro linemen did not give QB Joe Burrow and the Bengal’s offense any room to breathe as they stuffed the Bengals on the last two plays to secure the victory for Stafford and the Rams.
It is said that the stars must shine in the big games to win. Yesterday in the last 6 minutes the Ram’s big stars Stafford, Kupp, Donald and Miller shined the brightest. For the first time in 56 years I cared who won the Super Bowl, and I was not disappointed.
What are you doing to stop the violence? Get vaccinated and get your booster.
Orchid of the Day: The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Onion of the Day: I am still trying to fathom $5 billion for a football stadium.
Quotes of the Day: “There are 32 fireplaces in the White House. The fact that he stuffed papers down the toilet shows that this man is not fit to hold public office.” Sent to me by a friend.
Video of the Day: Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0H-THRfYRQ
Biggsie, great GAME summary! And the anonymous quote is priceless! boz