Cincinnati Bengals

Before the opening kickoff at Super Bowl LVI, Mickey Guyton turned heads with a memorable national anthem.

The Grammy-nominated country singer took the field Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to open the festivities before the Los Angeles Rams took on the Cincinnati Bengals.

.@MickeyGuyton’s incredible rendition of the National Anthem! #SBLVI pic.twitter.com/G6099dDz1U

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022

Fans were quick to discuss Guyton's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" on social media:

Mickey Guyton representing women of country music beautifully 🤍

— Paxton Elrod (@paxton_elrod) February 13, 2022

mickey guyton giving you vocals AND gospel? aight. aight. AIGHT.

— Brandon Caldwell (@_brandoc) February 13, 2022

Wow @MickeyGuyton . 🙌🏼✨#SuperBowl

— Maren Morris (@MarenMorris) February 13, 2022

Now y’all know who Mickey Guyton is. She’s amazing.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 13, 2022

WOW! I didn’t know who Mickey Guyton was before… but I do now. Chills.

— Tim Williams (@realtimwilliams) February 13, 2022

Mickey Guyton did that.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 13, 2022

Mickey Guyton absolutely crushed the National Anthem. Legit tears came to my eyes. 🇺🇸

— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) February 13, 2022

The big story for many fans, however, is the national anthem length as a common prop bet ahead of Super Bowls. Guyton might have shifted the odds herself during an interview with the Associated Press, saying she was called "quickie Mickey" for her anthem speed.

According to Darren Rovell of The Action Network, Guyton clocked in at one minute and 51 seconds.

National anthem hits over on 1:44.5.

Unofficially 1:51. Helped by adding an additional “still there.”

No legal sportsbook could take the bet.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 13, 2022

This led to quite a reaction online:

OVER BETTORS COLLECT YOUR MONEY 💰 pic.twitter.com/Yt6OhwNwCe

— br_betting (@br_betting) February 13, 2022

Mickey Guyton CRUSHED that OVER!

— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) February 13, 2022

Anthem over bettors ✅ pic.twitter.com/PnplYdeHcS

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) February 13, 2022

Guyton was still able to make her mark while joining a long list of high-profile artists to sing the anthem ahead of the Super Bowl.

"This is a huge moment for me," she told Chuck Arnold of the New York Post. "It's a huge moment for Black people. And I want to represent that in the best possible way that I can."

It will certainly be a moment the 38-year-old will remember forever.

If it seems like Joe Burrow took his game to another level down the stretch this season, there's a good reason for that.

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback told reporters that the difference in his surgically repaired left knee is "night and day from the first half of the season" and that he's "starting to finally feel like myself" as he prepares to lead the team into Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

Burrow suffered a torn ACL and MCL, among other structural damage, in a Week 11 game against the Washington Football Team during his rookie season in 2020.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery, told NFL Network's Ian Rapaport that it became evident in November and December that Burrow was much closer to full strength than when the season began:

The thing you saw towards November and December was what everybody had seen at LSU —that he could run. The kid could run and evade people and he was elusive. If you watch him on film and see where he was that first game, you notice he got better and better as the season went on. And his throwing was there, he was throwing the ball well, but he started to do more with difficult pass routes as the season went on. That indicates he's very confident.

Over the final four games of the regular season, starting Dec. 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, Burrow threw for 1,476 yards, 11 touchdowns, zero interceptions and completed 75.9 percent of his attempts.

Burrow's elusiveness was never more evident than in Cincinnati's 27-24 overtime victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. He tied a season high with 25 rushing yards, with 18 coming on two crucial third-down scrambles as he evaded Kansas City's pass rush to help set up the Evan McPherson field goal that put the Bengals up 24-21 midway through the fourth quarter.

If Burrow can avoid a Los Angeles Rams pass rush that features Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Leonard Floyd, the Bengals will be in a fantastic position to win their first championship in franchise history.

The Rams and Bengals will kick off Super Bowl LVI from SoFi Stadium at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The two head coaches in Super Bowl LVI could reportedly cash in with new deals from their respective teams this offseason.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams and Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals are in line for contract extensions.

McVay's future has become a surprising talking point leading up to the Super Bowl. The 36-year-old is still the youngest head coach in the NFL despite being in his fifth season with the Rams.

Speaking to reporters Friday, McVay indicated he could retire from coaching sooner than one might expect:

I love this so much that it's such a passion but I also know that what I've seen from some of my closest friends, whether it's coaches or even some of our players, I'm gonna be married this summer, I want to have a family and I think being able to find that balance but also be able to give the time necessary. I have always had a dream about being able to be a father and I can't predict the future, you know? I jokingly say that. 

I don't really know. I know I love football and I'm so invested in this thing and I'm in the moment right now. But at some point, too, if you said what do you want to be able to do? I want to be able to have a family and I want to be able to spend time with them.

One NFC team executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler in January that McVay is "trying to get that Super Bowl ring quickly so then he can have options."

The executive added: "If he wants to do TV for a while, he'd be great at it and can always go back and coach any team he wants after that."

There's been no indication that McVay is looking to leave the Rams this offseason. And if there is already speculation about a contract extension, it would seem unlikely he wants to walk away in the near future.

McVay's deal, which he signed in July 2019, runs through the 2023 season. He has a 55-26 record with two Super Bowl appearances, four playoff berths and three division titles in his first five years with the Rams.

Taylor, who was an assistant on McVay's staff in 2017 and 2018, received a four-year deal from the Bengals when he was hired as head coach in February 2019.

Schefter noted Taylor's average annual salary of $3.75 million is the lowest of any head coach in the league.

After going 6-25-1 in his first two seasons, Taylor led the Bengals to a 10-7 record and an AFC North title in 2021. Their 26-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the AFC Wild Card Round was the franchise's first playoff victory since Jan. 6, 1991.

The Bengals are playing in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1988 season. They have never won a championship in 54 years of existence.    

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson might have a Super Bowl to win, but he's still hopeful of catching a star-studded halftime show that includes Eminem, Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar.

"I hope I get to watch it, honestly," he said to TMZ Sports (starting around the 1:25 mark).

McPherson explained how his duties in the locker room at halftime are typically limited as a member of the special teams unit. He doesn't spend much time there before he's back out on the field warming up for the second half.

That could theoretically allow him to enjoy the halftime show as it's happening, and the rookie said he'll be "super bummed" if he can't at least watch the performance on a TV screen.

Considering McPherson is a perfect 12-of-12 on field goals in the playoffs and nailed the game-winner in the AFC title game, he has earned some special privileges.

Granted, McPherson and his Bengals teammates might be in no mood for music if they're staring at a big deficit to the Los Angeles Rams following the first half.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has grown into a team leader in just his second year, but a pivotal moment occurred before he even played in an NFL game.

Burrow reportedly made a strong impression on his teammates during a 2020 team meeting about racial injustice when he shared a personal story and pledged to fight against racism for the rest of his life.

"He won the team over real quick -- every leader has that moment," a former Bengals staff member said, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The team had gathered together in August of Burrow's rookie year in the wake of George Floyd's murder and the ensuing protests against racial injustice across the country.

According to Fowler, Burrow "decided to address the team by telling a personal story about the racial injustice a Black teammate experienced during their high school basketball days." Burrow's emotion when telling the story and his promise to fight against those types of situations was well-received by his teammates.

"He kind of broke down talking about it," Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader said. "He's a guy who stood there and he supported his friend as he should because you know it's not right. As a person it meant a lot to hear how he stood up for him. [Racism] is not something he's not just now learning."

Burrow's father Jim confirmed the story about the racial slurs being directed at his teammate and how it affected his son.

"I think it opened his eyes that something like that could happen," Jim told Fowler of his son. "For us, just the normal core values we grew up with: Always show respect, treat people with respect no matter who they are, what their background is, and be willing to help others when you can."

The 25-year-old signal caller has gained the respect of his teammates for his efforts both on and off the field.

"When he does [speak], everybody listens," cornerback Mike Hilton said.

Burrow has the chance to win a title in just his second year as the Bengals will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is set to play in the Super Bowl in just his second season in the NFL, and he told reporters Friday that he's aiming to reach one specific quarterback's level in order to be the best. 

"I'm chasing Aaron Rodgers to try to be the best," Burrow said. "He's been doing it for a long time."

Rodgers won his fourth MVP award, which was his second straight, on Thursday night after leading the Green Bay Packers to yet another NFC North division title. In 16 regular-season games, he completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns against four interceptions. 

Burrow also included former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in that elite category. 

Brady, who recently announced his retirement, is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and three-time MVP, among numerous other accolades. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes in 2021 for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. 

Mahomes, the 2018 MVP, also had another impressive season, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,839 yards and 37 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. 

If those players are who Burrow is chasing, he's certainly on the right path. The 25-year-old completed 70.4 percent of his passes this season for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. His 2021 season has been remarkable, especially considering it was his first full season after tearing his ACL as a rookie in 2020.

The Bengals are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989, and a lot of that has to do with Burrow. And while he knows Sunday's game could do a lot for his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, that's the last thing on his mind. 

"I try not to think about that kind of stuff because I think if you go down that road, you start worrying about the wrong things," Burrow said. "So I've tried to stay focused on the job at hand."

The Rams are considered the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl, according to DraftKings, but Burrow and the Bengals likely won't go down without a fight. 

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As Cincinnati Bengals fans try to enjoy the franchise's first appearance in a Super Bowl in 34 years, one of their former quarterbacks is apparently trying to throw them into a state of panic. 

Appearing on NBC Sports' Brother From Another (h/t Chris Roling of Bengals Wire), Carson Palmer speculated about Joe Burrow's long-term future with the organization:

I think Joe’s gonna sit back after this game, win or lose and be like ‘man, am I gonna re-sign with this team? Are they willing to do what it takes to continuously build to get back to the next Super Bowl? Next year and the year after that and the year after that? How are they willing to structure salary cap wise to be able to afford me, but to also be able to afford Ja’Marr Chase when he comes up or Tee Higgins or maybe even re-do this offensive line?'

Palmer does speak from experience with the organization. He was selected No. 1 overall in the 2003 NFL draft and spent the first seven years of his career in Cincinnati. 

The Bengals made the postseason in 2005, their first playoff berth in 15 years. Palmer's first playoff pass was a 66-yarder to Chris Henry, but he also suffered a torn ACL on the same play. 

Cincinnati only made the playoffs one more time with Palmer (2009) and never won a postseason game with him at quarterback. 

It's silly to suggest right now that Burrow will leave the Bengals. The 25-year-old led the franchise to the Super Bowl in his first full season as an NFL quarterback. His rookie campaign in 2020 ended in Week 11 when he tore his ACL and MCL.

Burrow has two more guaranteed years on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for 2024 that seems almost certain to be picked up.

Tee Higgins is under contract through 2023, and Chase's rookie deal could run through 2025 if his fifth-year option gets picked up. 

Bengals owner Mike Brown, who has a reputation for being cheap, did open up his wallet in free agency last offseason. They signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $60 million contract. He made his first Pro Bowl this season after setting career highs with 27 quarterback hits and 14 sacks. 

Despite making the Super Bowl, this isn't a perfect Bengals roster. Their offensive line ranked 20th in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson. Burrow was sacked a league-high 51 times during the regular season and 12 more times in three playoff games. 

Cincinnati will go into this offseason with $55.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac. 

There will be time in the future for Bengals fans to question Brown's ability to build a sustained winner if he can't capitalize on this moment. 

For now, though, the Bengals and their fans should enjoy the moment as they try to win the franchise's first championship on Sunday when they play the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56.    

Houston-area businessman Jim McIngvale really believes in the Cincinnati Bengals.

ESPN's David Purdum reported McIngvale, who's known as "Mattress Mack," placed a $5 million wager on the Bengals to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI. 

The 71-year-old had already put $4.5 million on the AFC champions, so he could be looking at a massive payout should Cincinnati prevail Sunday.

Mattress Mack is not playing around 😤

He just put an additional $5M on the Bengals bringing his total to $9.2M to win $16.2M on the Super Bowl

(via @kprc2Mario/@caesarssports) pic.twitter.com/eEKv68Pxar

— br_betting (@br_betting) February 11, 2022

The Bengals are a four-point underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook. Joe Burrow was sacked an NFL-high 51 times in the regular season, so he may find himself under constant pressure from a Los Angeles front seven that includes Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Leonard Floyd.

McIngvale is nonetheless optimistic about Cincinnati.

"I figure it's more of a toss-up," he said to Purdum. "It could come down to a final field goal, like a lot of these exciting playoff games."

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Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow was honored as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year for the 2021 season.

Burrow had a promising start to his rookie season before tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee.

For fans, the callbacks to Carson Palmer were all too obvious, with Palmer suffering a major injury in his first full year as Cincinnati's starter. The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner never quite recaptured the magic he displayed in 2005.

Fortunately for the Bengals, Burrow was electrifying in his second year. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick threw for 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He led the NFL in completion percentage (70.4) and adjusted yards per attempt (9.0), according to Pro Football Reference.

Reuniting Burrow with former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase proved to be a shrewd move. Chase torched opposing secondaries to the tune of 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The chemistry between Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow is excellent, especially outside the numbers.#NextGenStats powered by @awscloud. pic.twitter.com/bHpE9C7a8S

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 16, 2022

Pro Football Focus named Burrow as its Comeback Player of the Year in January ahead of the Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott, who was limited to five games in 2020 after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his ankle:

Joe Burrow's knee injury was far more catastrophic and destructive, and there was real concern that he might not return the same player, let alone take significant strides in Year 2. Burrow didn't just get back to his previous play but took a huge leap forward. Being rested in Week 18 was the only thing that stopped him from finishing the season as the No. 1-ranked quarterback in PFF grade. Burrow's performance was incredible, but doing it after a knee injury that threatened to seriously change the path of his career makes him the Comeback Player of the Year.

With Burrow at the helm, Cincinnati not only claimed an AFC North crown but also won its first playoff game since the 1990 season on the way to the Super Bowl.

As the Marvin Lewis era drew to a close, it looked like the Bengals were falling back into the cycle of futility that predated Lewis' tenure. The team failed to post a winning record in his final three seasons and then won six games total in Zac Taylor's first two years.

But Burrow symbolizes a change for the organization. A level of swagger permeated the 2021 Bengals, something that wasn't really true of the playoff teams they had when Andy Dalton was the starting quarterback.

Cincinnati had some bad losses this past year—defeats to the Chicago Bears and New York Jets and a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Browns jump out—but the team also knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch a division title. It also went 4-0 against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bengals are still searching for their first Super Bowl title, and Burrow may just bring it to them Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah will have a weird way of celebrating if his team defeats the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium. 

Uzomah told reporters Thursday that he will take a bath in Cincinnati-style chili if the Bengals win their first Super Bowl title. Cincinnati-style chili is often served over a bowl of spaghetti, which would certainly make for an interesting celebration, if the chili itself already weren't enough.

"You put it in a swimming pool, I'll dive in there and eat my way out," Uzomah said.

If the Bengals win the Super Bowl, CJ Uzomah promises to swim in Skyline Chili. "Easy 100 percent... Put in a swimming pool I'll dive in there and eat my way out." @WLWT @Skyline_Chili #Bengals pic.twitter.com/wYlKKciUWj

— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) February 10, 2022

While Uzomah can already imagine himself celebrating, it's still unclear if he will participate in Sunday's contest. The 29-year-old has not practiced this week after spraining his MCL in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

However, Uzomah said earlier this week he's "not missing the biggest game of my life." He also provided a crowd-pleasing moment when he ripped off his knee brace at a Bengals fan rally at Paul Brown Stadium on Monday.

Uzomah has been a big factor in Cincinnati's postseason, catching 13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown in three games.