Will the Bengals win the Super Bowl?

The Cincinnati Bengals found unexpected success this season, for three main reasons. Star + will have the Super Bowl live and in two languages to choose from: Spanish or English.

Joe Burrow, Joe Burrow and Joe Burrow.

Actually, the statement is not entirely fair to the others. Evan McPherson provided key kicks, Ja’Marr Chase made spectacular plays to earn The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award and the defense forced opponents to fumble at crucial times, especially in the playoffs.

But Burrow, the second-year quarterback, has lived up to Cincinnati’s most ambitious expectations and exceeded them, in fact in his return from a serious knee injury.

He racked up 4,611 yards through the air and 34 touchdown passes in the regular season. On Thursday, the AP awarded him the Comeback Player of the Year award.

More than his ability to make plays, Burrow has exerted leadership that permeates the entire roster.

And if the Bengals get more contributions from the quarterback on Sunday in the Super Bowl, they will take home their first-ever championship in an unprecedented campaign.

“The leader in team meetings is like a stone-faced bully who says, ‘We’re going to score here, we’re going to get the two-point conversion later and that’s it,'” said veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah, referring to the quarterback. “You’re left thinking, ‘Well, I loved hearing that. Now I’m going to do what it takes.'”

Burrow did get help guiding the Bengals to this point. In addition to Uzomah, Chase had a big season with 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Chase’s emergence also opened up offensive opportunities for receivers Tee Higgins (74 catches for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns), as well as Tyler Boyd (67 receptions for 828 yards and five touchdowns).

Running back Joe Mixon also stood out, with 1,205 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns.

Even when the offense has stalled in the playoffs, McPherson has made sure it hasn’t left empty-handed in many series. He has converted all 12 of his field goal attempts.

And, more importantly, he secured the team’s wins at Tennessee and Kansas City.

The Bengals’ offensive line has struggled for much of the season. Burrow was the most caught quarterback in the regular season (51 times). Opponents caught him nine times in the divisional round game alone, a win over the Titans.

However, Burrow showed his ability to escape compromising situations against the Chiefs.

The Bengals’ best chance for success on Sunday lies in mitigating the Rams’ pressure against Burrow. It will be tough, facing Aaron Donald, a unanimous All-Pro selection; Von Miller, Super Bowl 50 Most Valuable Player; and veteran Leonard Floyd.

Defensively, pressuring the opposing quarterback is always relevant. If the Bengals want to have success slowing down the Rams they have to disrupt the rhythm of Matthew Stafford and dynamic receiver Cooper Kupp, just named the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, who led the league in receptions yards and touchdowns.

That responsibility will fall primarily on Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. Hendrickson, who signed a huge free agent deal prior to this season, led the team with 14 catches in the regular season.

Hubbard made crucial catches from Patrick Mahomes late in the American Conference finals. If defensive tackles D.J. Reader and B.J. Hill contain the ground attack, it would free up the rest of the front seven to clog the Rams’ potent offense.

Another factor for the Bengals has been their ability to intercept passes in playoff games.

Lineman Germaine Pratt grabbed a Derek Carr delivery to secure the win over the Raiders. Logan Wilson caught a ball thrown by Ryan Tannehill in the final minute to knock off the Titans.

And Vonn Bell intercepted a Mahomes pass in overtime to secure the American Conference crown, depositing the Bengals in the big game.

Stafford has shown a penchant for throwing passes that end up intercepted. He tied for the most in the league with 17, including four in which he had the ball returned all the way to the diagonals.

Has thrown 27 interceptions that have ended in touchdowns during his career. He is tied for the most since 2000.

From the sidelines, Zac Taylor amassed a 6-25-1 record in his first two seasons. And he has contributed to the culture change the franchise required to post a 10-7 record this season.

“We’ve believed from the beginning,” Taylor said after the Bengals edged Kansas City 27-24 in overtime to win the American final. “Regardless of whether or not others have believed in the team, we’ve believed.”

The Bengals have already cut some long droughts this season. They hadn’t won the American Division North since 2015, hadn’t triumphed in the playoffs in 31 years, had never won a playoff victory as a visitor and hadn’t reached the Super Bowl in 33 years.

Another 60 minutes of quality (if not overtime) would net Cincinnati the biggest prize of all.