For a second straight year, the Cincinnati Bengals are on the precipice of winning the franchise's first Super Bowl. While many Super Bowl runner-ups struggle to duplicate their success, the Bengals are actually a better team than the one that came up a few plays short of defeating the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Underdogs no more, the Bengals' continued success this season has legitimized last year's success. It has also reinvigorated a fan base that had endured decades of heartbreak. Cincinnati's fan base has been rewarded in spades and could be further rewarded should the Bengals capture the franchise's first title less than three weeks from now.
To do that, Cincinnati will have to defeat two of the league's best three teams in Kansas City, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Each of those teams possesses a legitimate threat to the Bengals, who enter Sunday's game having won their past 10 games. The Bengals, however, have enough talent to beat the other three teams still in contention for the title.
Below are the three ways the Bengals can win the Super Bowl, starting with the team's star quarterback and receiver.
Burrow, Chase become Montana, Rice 2.0
Joe Burrow
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In one memorable, PG-13-rated quote, Joe Burrow summed up the trust he has in Ja'Marr Chase, his former college teammate who joined him in Cincinnati last season. Burrow's memorable quote came when asked about a touchdown pass he threw to Chase during the Bengals' 2021 regular season win over Kansas City.
"F it, Ja'Marr's down there somewhere," Burrow said of his teammate. "I'm gonna just throw it up there and he's going to make a play."
That trust has allowed the two to become arguably the NFL's best QB-WR combo. It has also played an integral role in the Bengals' immense success over the past two seasons. And it could have let to the greatest play in Super Bowl history had Burrow had slightly more time to get the ball to a wide open Chase on the Bengals' final offensive play of last year's Super Bowl.
The duo has continued to make big plays together this season and into the postseason, as they connected on touchdown passes during the Bengals' playoff wins over the Ravens and Bills. In those games, Burrow completed 70% of his passes to Chase for 145 yards and the two touchdowns.
Ja'Marr Chase
CIN • WR • #1
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Burrow and Chase's chemistry calls to mind the one that Joe Montana and Jerry Rice enjoyed during the 49ers' heyday. The combination of Montana and Rice, despite defenses gearing up to stop them, was unstoppable at times in the postseason. They connected 11 times for a record 215 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' win over the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. A year later, Rice caught three of Montana's five touchdown passes in San Francisco's blowout win over Denver in Super Bowl XXIV.
Rice and Montana's magic wasn't just reserved for Super Bowls, however. It was Rice's 61-yard touchdown early in the 1988 NFC title game that set the tone in the 49ers' decisive 28-3 win in chilly Chicago. The Bengals could benefit from a similar play from Chase at the start of Sunday night's game in Kansas City.
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 9, 2023OTD 1989
° 1988 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP °A wind chill of -26°F at Chicago's Soldier Field does little to thwart the visiting #49ers, who methodically trample the Bears, 28-3, for their third NFC title.
Joe Montana fires three TD passes, two to Jerry Rice, in the one-sided affair. pic.twitter.com/71iyb8dpNd
As great as Chase is, he hasn't necessarily been dominant in the postseason. He hasn't had a 100-yard receiving game in the playoffs since last year's divisional round win over theTitans. Stats obviously aren't everything, but if the Bengals are going to finish the race, they're going to need more splash plays from arguably the game's best receiver.
If that happens, Chase will elevate his status as the NFL's premier receiver. It will also help open things up for the Bengals' other talented players at the skill positions, including fellow wideouts Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, and tight end Hayden Hurst.
Chase needs to be a dominant player, but he and Burrow can't do it alone. For the Bengals to win it all, they are going to have to continue to receive production from their entire skill position group. Coach and play-caller Zac Taylor also can't forget about Mixon, whose postseason success last year has carried into this postseason. Cincinnati will also have to continue to receive stellar play from an offensive line that fielded three new starters last weekend in Buffalo due to injury.
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The defense can't rest
For the past year, the Bengals defense has mostly been hiding in plain sight. While the Bengals offense has understandably received most of the headlines, their defense has quietly been the backbone to Cincinnati's success. In fact, the Bengals defense was the team's strength early in the season when Cincinnati's offense struggled to find its footing.
Make no mistake about it: the Bengals defense is a championship-caliber unit. It has some of the NFL's best players at each level, especially in the front seven. D.J. Reader has made an invaluable impact since coming off injured reserve, while defensive ends Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson continue to be among the league's best duos. Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson, who despite their success have no Pro Bowl selections to their credit, continue to serve as stalwarts in the middle of Cincinnati's defense.
What it gives up in passing yards, the Bengals' secondary makes up for in big plays. Safety Vonn Bell is a football magnet, while rookie Cam Taylor-Britt has also made plenty of big plays while helping overcome the loss of injured starter Chidobe Awuzie. The secondary continues to be anchored by Jessie Bates III, whose versatility as a run-stuffer and cover man has been a big key to Cincinnati's defensive success.
Creating big plays in critical moments is what separates great defenses from good ones. So far, the Bengals defense has made the big plays befitting a great unit. The biggest example of this was Hubbard's 98-yard fumble return that served as the game-winning touchdown in Cincinnati's win over Baltimore on Super Wild Card Weekend.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) January 16, 2023Sam Hubbard has spent his entire football career in the state of Ohio.
• Archbishop Moeller High School (2010-14)
• Ohio State (2014-17)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2018-present)The hometown kid is a hometown hero. pic.twitter.com/tA2BVXNwCw
In order to be truly considered a great unit, the Bengals defense will have to make more splash plays in the coming weeks. While it was unable to do that in last year's Super Bowl, the Bengals current defense has the talent and experience to do so this time around.
Shooter McPherson
Evan McPherson
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Remember the kicker who booted two game-winning field goals last postseason, then further made headlines by watching the Super Bowl halftime show from his team's sideline? Evan McPherson, who is referred to as "Shooter" by Bengals fans, has somewhat fallen into the background in his second season.
McPherson probably doesn't mind less attention, especially after the 2022 season started. McPherson, who dealt with an injury to his long snapper in Week 1, missed two kicks in Cincinnati's season-opening loss to Pittsburgh. He missed two kicks again during the Bengals' most recent loss back on Halloween.
His regular season didn't match up to last year's success, but McPherson has appeared to re-gain his touch this postseason. He's made both of his field goal tries this postseason and has made all but one of his point-after attempts. McPherson will surely be called upon to make more clutch kicks in the coming weeks.
As we just saw with the Cowboys, a shaky kicker can be a difference between a championship and an early vacation. If the Bengals are able to win their first Super Bowl, rest assured McPherson's right foot will have played a significant role.
FAQs
How much will the Bengals pay Joe Burrow? ›
Burrow's calculated market value, according to Spotrac, is six years at $264,002,724. The average salary of that calculated contract is $44 million, which would make Burrow the NFL's sixth-highest player.
Did Joe Burrow want to go to the Bengals? ›CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't want to play football anywhere else. In an interview with NBC ahead of the Sunday wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens, Burrow emphasized his desire to play with the team that drafted him and alongside coach Zac Taylor.
How the Cincinnati Bengals ever been to the Super Bowl? ›The Bengals won the AFC championship in 1981, 1988, and 2021. After the first two conference championships, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowls XVI and XXIII. The 1990s and the early 2000s were a period of great struggle.
Who makes the most money on the Bengals? ›- Contract: 4 years, $60,000,000.
- 2022 salary: $11,976,460.
- Free agency: 2025.
Under his current rookie contract, Burrow's is one of the league's biggest bargains, earning $3.9 million this year. By average annual value, the 27-year-old Mahomes makes $45 million, fifth-most in the NFL. Burrow, who is an unrestricted free agent in 2025, makes $9 million, good for 226th.
Did the Dolphins want Joe Burrow? ›Despite some public statements, they never considered a trade, and their actions showed it. According to sources with direct knowledge of the talks, the Dolphins called Cincinnati and attempted to trade for the selection that wound up being LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.
How does Joe Burrow feel about the Bengals? ›Burrow pointed to the growth he has seen from Cincinnati since last season and believes his team has the components needed to win. "I think we're a more complete team," Burrow said comparing the 2021 Bengals to the 2022 Bengals (via NFL.com). "I think we're a better team, and we just seem to make plays when it counts.
Does Joe Burrow want to stay in Cincinnati? ›Burrow is up for an extension this offseason and has recently said he wants to spend his entire career in Cincinnati.
How many Hall of Famers do the Bengals have? ›How many Cincinnati Bengals are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Anthony Muñoz is the only player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame that played his whole career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Muñoz, one of the greatest offensive tackles in NFL history, was inducted in 1998.
How many teams have never won a Super Bowl? ›Twelve current NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans.
What team has the most Super Bowl wins? ›
When it comes to most Super Bowl wins, the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most in history, each hoisting the Lombardi Trophy six times.
How much does a Bengals cheerleader make? ›Surprisingly, NFL cheerleaders do not earn as much as you might think. On average, the cheerleaders earn about $150 per game. This comes out to about $22,500 per year.
How much would you win if you bet $100 for the Bengals to win the Superbowl? ›Here are what multiple sportsbooks think of Cincinnati's Super Bowl odds. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Bengals at +2200 odds, meaning a $100 bet would pay out $2,200 if they were to win the Super Bowl.
How much cap space do the Bengals have left? ›For now, the Bengals get a little extra wiggle room before dealing with a free-agent class that includes Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell, Germaine Pratt, Hayden Hurst and more. They're projected at $44.5 million in free cap space for now.
How much does aaron Rodgers make? ›Current Contract
In 2023, Rodgers will earn a base salary of $1,165,000, a signing bonus of $58,300,000 and a workout bonus of $50,000, while carrying a cap hit of $31,623,568 and a dead cap value of $99,778,568.
As part of being the first overall selection, Burrow's contract was fixed as a four-year deal worth $36.190 million. Included in that was a $23.880 million signing bonus and roster bonuses in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
How much is Burrow making? ›Burrow, 26 is going to make at least $40 million per year when you look at the top 10 quarterback contracts by year in the NFL right now. Expect Burrow to be right in that range with Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen – who have hit that second contract.
What does Tom Brady have to say about Joe Burrow? ›“He's done a great job,” said Brady when asked about Burrow. “He's a great young player. He's got a great arm, runs well, very athletic. I'm really impressed by him overcoming the adversities that he has.”
What did Joe Burrow say about Tom Brady? ›CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow didn't want to overplay his upcoming matchup against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady this weekend. "I don't really pay attention to it," Burrow said Wednesday. "He's Tom, and I'm Joe."
Why is Joe Burrow so special? ›But what makes him so good at it? Cincinnati's offensive coordinator Brian Callahan believes Burrow is special. "He sees things happening. He's got incredible vision and understanding of what defenses are trying to do, where they're located on the field," Callahan said on Peter Schrager's "The Season" podcast.
How long does Joe Burrow have to play for the Bengals? ›
Joe Burrow signed a 4 year, $36,190,137 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, including a $23,880,100 signing bonus, $36,190,137 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9,047,534.
Why is Joe Burrow the best? ›And here they are, and that's why he's an awesome leader." The two truths were that Burrow is top-three in passing yards (3,446 yards) and TDs (25). Plenty of analysts have noted how Burrow leveled up in 2022. He is taking fewer sacks while maintaining his downfield aggression.
How much is Paycor paying the Bengals? ›The venue will now be known as Paycor Stadium, with Sportico reportsing that the agreement could be worth between US$8 million and US$12 million annually. Ahead of the 2022 NFL season the reigning AFC champions will unveil the new Paycor branding.
Why did Carson Palmer leave the Bengals? ›We all know the story well enough. Palmer divorced himself the team after he decided that they weren't doing enough to help build around him. While this essentially made him a martyr, it wasn't like his complaints were particularly incorrect. Sign up for NFL FanPulse and share your thoughts on the Cincinnati Bengals!
How long is Joe Burrow's contract with the Bengals? ›Burrow has one year remaining on his rookie contract that will carry an $11.5M cap hit in 2023. He's set to become a free agent in 2025, but is expected to receive a long-term extension before the start of the 2023 season.
How much did the Bengals make for the Super Bowl? ›Each member of the winning team will receive $150,000, according to the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Who is the highest paid quarterback in the NFL? ›- Titans QB Ryan Tannehill: $38,600,000.
- Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: $35,793,381.
- Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: $31,416,668.
- Lions QB Jared Goff: $31,150,000.
- Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: $28,533,569.
- Commanders QB Carson Wentz: $28,294,119.
Current Contract
In 2023, Rodgers will earn a base salary of $1,165,000, a signing bonus of $58,300,000 and a workout bonus of $50,000, while carrying a cap hit of $31,623,568 and a dead cap value of $99,778,568.
Tom Brady signed a 1 year, $15,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $15,000,000. In 2023, Brady will earn, while carrying a cap hit of $35,104,000 and a dead cap value of $35,104,000.
What is the net worth of Tom Brady? ›When NFL legend Tom Brady left the field at the end of the final game of the 2022 season, he was the league's career leader in passing yards (89,214) and touchdowns (649). He also left with an estimated net worth of $512 million.
How much does Joe Burrow QB make? ›
He signed last year for one year at $1.6 million.
What if I bet $100 on the Bengals to win Super Bowl? ›At some sportsbooks - both online and in states that allow gambling - the Bengals were given odds as long as 200-1, which means if someone bet $100 on them to win the Super Bowl they stand to collect $20,000 if they beat the Los Angeles Rams on Feb.
How much would you win if you bet $100 for the Bengals to win the Super Bowl? ›Here are what multiple sportsbooks think of Cincinnati's Super Bowl odds. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Bengals at +2200 odds, meaning a $100 bet would pay out $2,200 if they were to win the Super Bowl.
How much money will Mattress Mack win if the Bengals win the Super Bowl? ›Houston business owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale poses for a portrait at his store Gallery Furniture in Houston, Texas on February 17, 2021. If the Bengals conquer the Los Angeles Rams, the $7.7 million dollars McIngvale will win will allay the cost of the refunds, he said.
How much do NFL refs make? ›The NFL does not release salary figures for referees but, according to Sporting News, the highest paid NFL refs make $250,000 annually. NFL referees on average usually make about $205,000 per year.
Who is the richest quarterback in the United States? ›Who is the richest active NFL quarterback? The richest active NFL quarterback is Tom Brady, who has a net worth of approximately $250 million. After playing for the New England Patriots for almost two decades, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Who is the highest paid person in the NFL right now? ›NFL's highest-paid players 2022. Rodgers signed a three-year extension with the Packers that will make him the NFL's highest-paid player in 2022.