Unlike the Rams, Cincinnati used the draft to turn around their fortunes in the past couple of years, selecting Burrow with the first pick in 2020 and receiver Ja'Marr Chase, his former college team-mate, with the fifth pick in 2021.

The Bengals opted for Chase rather than an offensive lineman, which would have given their franchise quarterback greater protection.

Although Cincinnati still have one of the NFL's most porous offensive lines, Burrow became the first quarterback to reach the Super Bowl after leading the league in times sacked (51).

That was mainly because of his connection with Chase, who claimed a rookie record for receiving yards this season and the Rookie of the Year award.

After leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl in 33 years, they connected again for 46 yards to set up a successful field-goal attempt late in the first quarter.

When the Rams went 13-3 up, Cincinnati hit straight back with a 12-play scoring drive ending with a trick play, Burrow shovelling it off to running back Joe Mixon to find Tee Higgins for a six-yard touchdown.

Higgins scored again with a huge play from the first play after half-time, although he appeared to pull Ramsey's facemask before catching Burrow's deep pass to the sideline and running in a 75-yard score.

An interception on the next play resulted in another field goal to put the Bengals 20-13 up, but then LA began to capitalise on the visitors' Achilles heel.

The Bengals offensive line allowed Burrow to be sacked seven times as defences forced a run of seven straight punts - four of them by the Bengals - before the Rams ended Cincinnati's hopes of completing their Cinderella story.

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