NFL Super Bowl 2022 Highlights and Key Moments You Might Have Missed

I still remember sitting in my living room last February, watching the clock wind down during Super Bowl LVI, thinking about how this game perfectly encapsulated the entire NFL season. The Los Angeles Rams' 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals wasn't just another championship game—it was a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and those subtle moments that casual viewers might have overlooked. As someone who's followed professional football for over fifteen years, I've learned that the real story often lies buried beneath the headline plays and viral highlights.

Looking back at the 2022 NFL season leading up to the Super Bowl, what struck me most was how both teams defied expectations to even reach SoFi Stadium. The Rams, despite their star-studded roster, had been written off multiple times during the regular season. I recall thinking in Week 12 when they sat at 7-4 that they might not even make the playoffs, let alone win it all. Meanwhile, the Bengals' journey felt like something straight out of a Hollywood script—coming off their first playoff win in 31 years the previous season, they battled through what many considered the toughest division in football. The AFC North sent three teams to the playoffs that year, which honestly surprised me given how competitive the conference was throughout the season.

The game itself contained numerous pivotal moments that casual fans might have missed while focusing on the obvious highlights like Cooper Kupp's game-winning touchdown or Aaron Donald's final pressure. One moment that particularly stood out to me occurred late in the third quarter when the Rams trailed 20-16. Matthew Stafford completed what appeared to be a routine 15-yard pass to Van Jefferson, but what made this play special was Stafford's adjustment at the line. I noticed he changed the protection call twice before the snap, something he did only 12 times all game according to my review of the film. This subtle adjustment allowed him just enough time to find Jefferson on a dig route against Cover 3—the kind of defensive look that had given Stafford trouble earlier in the game. These micro-adjustments are what separate good quarterbacks from great ones in championship moments.

Another underappreciated aspect was how the Rams' defensive front managed to contain Joe Burrow despite what the final sack numbers might suggest. While Aaron Donald rightly received most of the attention with his 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits, what impressed me was how defensive coordinator Raheem Morris used Leonard Floyd in containment rather than pure pass rush on 68% of passing downs. This strategic decision limited Burrow's ability to extend plays outside the pocket, where he had been most dangerous throughout the playoffs. Having studied Burrow's tendencies all season, I can confidently say this adjustment was crucial—Burrow's passer rating when forced to stay in the pocket dropped from 112.3 during the regular season to just 89.2 in the Super Bowl.

The emotional landscape of the game shifted dramatically after Tee Higgins' controversial 75-yard touchdown to open the second half. Many viewers focused on the potential pass interference, but what fascinated me was how both teams responded emotionally. The Bengals gained undeniable momentum, while the Rams could have unraveled. This reminds me of something Rams coach Sean McVay said during his midweek press conference that resonated with me: "That's just the situation now we're with the team. Yes, we're gonna be down but with so many games to come, you could never cut us out of this scenario. As much as we want to cry, there is nothing that's gonna change the outcome of this game." This mentality perfectly described how the Rams approached not just the Super Bowl but their entire season—acknowledging adversity while maintaining belief in their capability to overcome it.

Special teams played a surprisingly decisive role that many analysts have overlooked in their post-game breakdowns. Johnny Hekker's 59-yard punt in the fourth quarter that pinned Cincinnati at their own 6-yard line was arguably as important as any offensive play in the final quarter. Field position became increasingly crucial as both defenses tightened, and that punt changed the complexion of Cincinnati's final meaningful drive. From my perspective, this highlighted how championship games are often won in these less glamorous phases—the Rams gained approximately 42 yards in hidden yardage through superior punting and kickoff placement, which doesn't sound like much but becomes massive in a 3-point game.

The final drive showcased offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell's brilliant play-calling, but what stood out to me was Stafford's management of the situation. On the game-winning drive, Stafford utilized play action on 4 of 8 plays, despite the Rams having minimal running game success throughout the night. This counterintuitive approach worked because it manipulated Cincinnati's defensive expectations—they anticipated the Rams would abandon the run in crunch time. Stafford's experience and understanding of defensive tendencies in critical moments proved invaluable, something I believe directly resulted from his twelve seasons in Detroit where he frequently operated in high-pressure situations without the supporting cast he enjoyed with the Rams.

Reflecting on Super Bowl LVI months later, what makes it memorable for me isn't just the outcome but how it demonstrated the multidimensional nature of championship football. The obvious stars shined brightly, but the subtle adjustments, emotional resilience, and strategic nuances truly decided the contest. The Rams built their roster specifically for this moment, sacrificing future draft capital for immediate success—a approach I've always admired despite its risks. Meanwhile, the Bengals proved that strategic team building through the draft could compete with the "all-in" approach, setting up what I believe will be an intriguing philosophical debate across the league for years to come. Super Bowl LVI ultimately reinforced my long-held belief that championships are won through preparation that acknowledges both the obvious and the subtle, the emotional and the tactical—a complex tapestry that makes football the compelling drama we celebrate each season.