This week’s review recaps the Cincinnati Bengals’ Super Bowl LVI loss. While providing a preview of the week ahead. In local College Basketball and the Winter Olympics.

Bengals wrap up monumental season with Super Bowl loss

The Cincinnati Bengals’ wild ride of a 2021-22 season concluded Sunday. With a 23-20 down to the wire loss to the Los Angeles Rams. After all the pregame hoopla, the Bengals began the game on defense. Giving one of the most improved Bengals defensive units in years a chance to shine early. Trey Hendrickson and B.J. Hill had big tackles in the game’s opening drive. Forcing the Rams to punt three minutes into the game.

The Bengals went for it on 4th and short and had it work out a few times this season. Cincinnati’s opening drive was not one of those times. Going four and out and taking roughly two minutes off the clock. After Logan Wilson knocked the Rams back to start the next drive. The Rams made big gains and worked their way into the red zone in a hurry. Odell Beckham Jr. scored the first touchdown of the game. Culminating a six-play three-minute offensive drive.

Joe Burrow tried to get the Bengals key playmakers the ball in the next drive. From Joe Mixon to Ja’Marr Chase to Chris Evans. It mostly didn’t work out and the Bengals were forced to punt after another quick drive. After the Rams were forced to punt in the next drive. The Bengals showed life with Joe Mixon’s catch to start their drive. Followed by a 46-yard reception from Chase. Putting the Bengals in the red zone for the first time.

Jalen Ramsey stopped a would-be third down conversion Tee Higgins touchdown. Prompting the Bengals to get on the board through Evan McPherson’s field goal. Giving the Bengals the 7-3 deficit they wrapped up the first quarter with. Odell Beckham Jr. had another big reception to start the second quarter. While Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was seemingly out to sow doubt. Among those that thought the Rams were crazy to trade for him. Given how his time with the Detroit Lions mostly went.

Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp for the Rams second touchdown. Giving the Rams a 13-3 lead early in the second. Fortunately for the Bengals, they were able to capitalize on a Rams mistake. A flubbed snap on the point after attempt. Getting the ball and almost losing it in that same play. Starting their next drive near the middle of the field.

Chase completed a third down conversion reception. That got the Bengals into first and goal territory. While Mixon threw the Bengals first touchdown pass. Connecting with Tee Higgins for a “Philly Special” style touchdown. Mixon is the fifth non-quarterback to throw a touchdown in Super Bowl history.

After having some of the Rams biggest plays of the half. Odell Beckham Jr. was sidelined by an injury. With roughly four minutes left before halftime. At the two-minute warning of the first half. Jesse Bates III snagged an interception in the end zone. While an inactive Bengals’ player joined in the post-interception celebration. Prompting a taunting penalty on the Bengals.

After concerns over his availability due to his AFC Championship Game knee injury. C.J. Uzomah was one of the playmakers in the Bengals next drive. Nevertheless, the Bengals were knocked back and forced to punt on 4th and 14. Giving the Rams the ball back with 30 seconds left in the first half. Instead of capitalizing on a chance to take the lead before going into halftime. The Rams were forced to punt with four seconds left in the half. As has often been the case, the Bengals took a knee and went into halftime.

Cincinnati received the second half kickoff and scored on the next play. With Tee Higgins taking a 75-yard reception to the house. Giving the Bengals their first lead of the game. While Higgins also avoided having a face mask penalty called against him. Facing Rams cornerback star Jalen Ramsey, Cincinnati rarely gets away with that.

McPherson’s extra point gave Cincinnati a 17-13 lead 12 seconds into the half. Ten seconds later, Bengals’ cornerback Chidobe Awuzie snagged an interception. In a drive that featured a spectator running on the field. Along with a Rams/Bengals skirmish near the Bengals sideline. Cincinnati put pressure on the Rams in a way they didn’t experience in the first half.

The Bengals extended their own drive converting on 4th and one. Rams defensive extraordinaire Aaron Donald sacked Burrow. Prompting a 38-yard field goal that gave Cincinnati a seven-point lead. A Rams field goal whittled it back down to a four-point game. Bengals’ veteran punter Kevin Huber was sent out to punt on the next drive.

D.J. Reader sent Stafford off limping after a sack. That forced the Rams to punt as the Bengals kept their lead. The Bengals were knocked back into 3rd and 22 and forced to punt. Cincinnati wrapped up the third quarter with a 16-20 lead. Keeping the lead and getting the ball back early in the fourth.

The ensuing Bengals drive wrapped up on a rough note. With Burrow limping off after a sack that made it 4th and long. On a night where Burrow was sacked seven times. Cincinnati got the ball back quickly through a punt. Burrow was back in the game but turned to the running game. Through Mixon launching into the drive with big gains early in it. The drive ended with a rare drop this season from Tyler Boyd.

The play prompted Kevin Huber to punt for a sixth time; with 6:13 left in the fourth. Los Angeles worked their way to 1st and Goal by the two-minute warning. Incomplete Stafford passes helped the Bengals in the first two plays. Then the Bengals got themselves into penalty trouble. Receiving a reprieve on a would-be touchdown through offsetting penalties.

Another penalty gave the Rams another 1st and Goal opportunity. Matthew Stafford’s first and goal quarterback sneak was foiled. Cooper Kupp caught a touchdown reception a play later. The extra point gave the Rams a 23-20 lead with 1:25 left in regulation. Cincinnati’s ensuing drive began with receptions from Chase and Boyd. Putting the Bengals close to midfield in the final minute of regulation.

Semaje Perine came close to a first down. Setting up 4th and 1 with 43 seconds left in regulation. Burrow’s attempted pass to Perine was thwarted. By whom else, Aaron Donald and Super Bowl LVI Most Valuable Player Cooper Kupp. Putting the Rams in position to run out the clock and win Super Bowl LVI. Becoming the second team in a row to win the Super Bowl on the home field. While marking the end of a season where the Bengals defied expectations.

This was a season where the Bengals have people believing as it concludes. That they could return to the Super Bowl again before the 2020’s conclude. As far as I’m concerned, this was a season worthy of a celebration regardless of Sunday’s result. Meanwhile, for a review of Super Bowl week itself. From the pregame festivities to non-Super Bowl news of local interest. Check out Cincy Sports Journal’s Super Bowl LVI journal.

What to watch this week

Men’s College Basketball

Cincinnati vs. Memphis, Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WLW-AM (700).

Xavier vs. St. John’s, Wednesday at 6:30 PM Eastern on CBS Sports Network and WKRC-AM (550).

Cincinnati vs. Wichita State, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN2 and WLW-AM.

Northern Kentucky at Detroit Mercy, Friday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM (1530).

Xavier at Connecticut, Saturday at Noon Eastern on FOX and WLW-AM.

Cincinnati vs. Temple, Sunday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN2 or ESPNU and WLW-AM.

Northern Kentucky at Oakland, Sunday at 3 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM.

Women’s College Basketball

Cincinnati at South Florida, Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky at Youngstown State, Friday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier vs. Connecticut, Friday at 7 PM Eastern on SNY in Connecticut.

Cincinnati vs. East Carolina, Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky at Robert Morris, Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier at Butler, Sunday at 7 PM Eastern on FloSports.

Winter Olympics

The last week of the 2022 Winter Olympics are upon us. Team USA’s Women’s Hockey team will face Canada again in the gold medal game. After the U.S. beat Finland their semifinal game 4-1 Monday morning. Team USA lost their preliminary stage game against Canada. The opening face-off in the gold medal game is Wednesday at 11 PM Eastern on NBC. Team USA’s Men’s Hockey team is preparing for their quarterfinal game; against either Germany or Slovakia Tuesday at 11:10 PM Eastern on USA. Their tournament schedule is available here through USA Hockey’s website.

Striving to add gold to his Olympic medal collection. Indiana native Nick Goepper’s delayed freestyle skiing men’s slopestyle event will take place tonight. Originally scheduled to start late Super Bowl Sunday. The event is now scheduled to start at 11:30 PM Eastern on USA Network. The final round for that event is Tuesday at 8:30 PM Eastern.

Goepper’s fellow Indiana native James “Jimmy” Reed will compete in bobsleigh. Along with being the mastermind behind his team’s headline-making fundraising calendar. Reed is part of the four-man bobsleigh event. With training heats starting around 8:40 PM Eastern Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night.