The Super Bowl LVI matchup is set with the Bengals and Rams. Here's a look at the names to know heading into the game.
The 38-year-old Taylor is in only his third season as the Bengals head coach after serving as an assistant under Sean McVay with the Rams for two years. He also has extensive experience as a college football assistant coach.
McVay is making his second Super Bowl appearance in his fifth season as the Rams head coach. The 36-year-old offensive whiz was former an NFL assistant in Tampa Bay and Washington.
The son of legendary NFL offensive line coach and former Raiders head coach Bill Callahan, Brian has been the offensive coordinator for Cincinnati for three years. He was formerly a quarterbacks coach for the Lions and Raiders.
O'Connell played for several NFL teams as a quarterback before his career as an NFL coach began in 2015. After serving as Washington's offensive coordinator in 2019, McVay brought him to fill the same role with LA one year later. O'Connell has also garnered consideration from other teams as a head coaching candidate recently.
Anarumo is in his third season as the Bengals defensive coordinator. He also served in the role with the Dolphins and Giants.
Morris is in his first year as the Rams defensive coordinator, but he spent the last decade in the same role for Washington and Atlanta. He was also Tampa Bay's head coach from 2009 to 2011.
Burrow has had quite a three-year run from winning the Heisman Trophy and National Championship at LSU in 2019 to appearing in his first Super Bowl this year. The first overall draft choice in 2020, Burrow overcame a major knee injury that ended his rookie season to throw for over 4,600 yards and 34 touchdowns this year.
After 12 seasons in Detroit, Stafford was traded to the Rams in the offseason. The former first overall draft choice in 2009 had a terrific regular season, throwing for nearly 4,900 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Mixon has become a star in his five-year NFL career, reaching 1,400 yards from scrimmage three times. He was named to his first Pro Bowl this year.
Akers had a good rookie season in 2020 before suffering a torn Achilles in the preseason. He made a miraculous recovery to return late in the year and has been LA's featured back during the playoffs.
Perine backs up Mixon and also gets work on third down for the Bengals. He also served as Mixon's backup while in college at Oklahoma.
Michel saw significant work late in the season for the Rams with Darrell Henderson sidelined. The former Patriots running back has served as a backup for Akers in the playoffs.
A former teammate of Burrow at LSU, Chase had a historic rookie season with 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's quickly become a featured member of Cincinnati's offense.
Kupp has become an All-Pro and superstar in 2021 with the addition of Stafford, finishing the regular season as the league leader in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and receiving touchdowns (16). It was his second career 1,000-yard receiving season.
Higgins was the 33rd overall draft choice in the 2020 draft and has shown impressive production. The Clemson alum had 1,091 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, though he was overshadowed by Chase.
Beckham is well known for his one-handed catches and ability to run after the catch, making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons with the Giants. After two-plus seasons playing for the Browns, Beckham was released and signed with the Rams at midseason. He's been a key addition after the Rams lost No. 2 wideout, Robert Woods, to injury.
One of the most talented No. 3 wide receivers in the league, Boyd had a good 2021 season with 67 catches for 828 yards and five touchdowns. He could see more looks if tight end C.J. Uzomah is unable to play.
Jefferson has taken a huge step forward in his second NFL season, finishing with 50 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Like Boyd on the other side, Jefferson could see more attention if Tyler Higbee is unable to play in the Super Bowl.
Hendrickson was a huge free-agent addition in the offseason after spending his first four years in New Orleans. He finished the regular season with 14 sacks, making his first Pro Bowl.
Higbee left early in the NFC Championship with a knee injury, and his status for the Super Bowl is unclear. The tight end is a key outlet receiver for Stafford, with 61 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season.
Hubbard had a strong 2021 season, recording 62 tackles and 7.5 sacks. The fourth-year pro had a strong career at Ohio State.
Now in his eighth season, Donald is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. The pass rusher was an All-Pro for the seventh straight season, recording 12.5 sacks and 84 tackles.
Reader is a key run-stuffer in the middle of Cincinnati's defense. He finished the regular season with 43 tackles and two sacks.
Miller played his entire career with the Broncos until he was traded to the Rams at the trade deadline this year. The Super Bowl 50 MVP had eight Pro Bowls and recorded 9.5 sacks during the regular season.
Wilson had a breakout season for the Bengals, recording 100 tackles in 13 games during the regular season. He's also been a key player in coverage, with four interceptions.
Floyd has been an excellent pass rusher in back-to-back seasons for the Rams since coming over from Chicago. He had 70 tackles and 9.5 sacks this season after recording 10.5 sacks last year.
Pratt is a key player in Cincinnati's run defense. He recorded 91 tackles this year after recording 89 tackles last season.
Reeder has gained regular snaps for the Rams late in the year. He had 91 tackles and two sacks during the regular season.
Awuzie was signed by Cincinnati in the offseason after playing his first four seasons in Dallas. The versatile cornerback had 65 tackles and two interceptions in 14 games during the regular season.
One of the top corners in the NFL, Ramsey was an All-Pro for the third time this year. He finished the regular season with 77 tackles and four interceptions in 16 games.
Hilton has been an excellent performer as a nickel corner for Cincinnati after coming over from the rival Steelers in the offseason. He had two picks in the regular season, and also had a key interception in the Divisional Round against Tennessee.
Williams had an excellent regular season for the Rams and has continued to perform well in the playoffs. He had a career-high 71 tackles in 14 games during the regular season.
The star of Cincinnati's secondary, Bates had 88 tackles and one interception in 15 games during the regular season. He's now in his fourth NFL season.
Rapps hasn't played in the playoffs due to a concussion but could be available for the Super Bowl. He started all 17 games during the regular season, recording 94 tackles and four interceptions.
Bell had 97 tackles during the regular season for Cincy after recording a career-high 114 tackles last year, his first with the team. He previously played four seasons with New Orleans.
Scott has seen more work in the playoffs after playing only part-time for the Rams during the regular season. The third-year safety had 47 tackles and two interceptions during the regular season.
A rookie fifth-round pick, McPherson has made back-to-back game-winning kicks in the playoffs for the Bengals. He also had an excellent regular season, making 28-of-33 field goals, including 9-of-11 from 50-plus yards.
Gay is in his second year with the Rams and made the Pro Bowl. He finished the regular season making 32-of-34 field goal attempts.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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