Sports
History Of The Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl
Apr
Cincinnati Bengals, is an American professional football team that plays in the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL).
The Cincinnati Bengals have had some of the biggest names of the sport wear their colors over the years, but that individual brilliance has never led to Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl glory. Boasting alumni such as Boomer Esiason, Ken Riley, Chad Johnson, and Ken Anderson, the Bengals haven’t lacked star power over their 55-year history. That hasn’t translated into playoff success, however, as Cincinnati has made just a handful of appearances in football’s biggest game over its 55-year history. Exactly how successful have the Bengals been?
Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl: What years did the Cincinnati Bengals go to the Super Bowl?
Since the NFL begins in one year and wraps up in another, it can be tricky to keep track of the actual years when the Bengals made it to the Super Bowl. Their first appearance came in the 1981 season but the Super Bowl was played in 1982. They also played in the 1989 Super Bowl and 2022 Super Bowl.
How many Super Bowls have the Cincinnati Bengals claimed victory in?
As mentioned previously, the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to win a championship. Cincinnati reached the big game twice in the 1980s and again in 2022, but they’ve fallen at the final hurdle each time in the Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl.
History Of The Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Opponents
Super Bowl XVI: San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21
The Bengals’ first Super Bowl came in 1981. Under coach Forrest Gregg, the team went 12-4 during the regular season to win the AFC Central and earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Cincinnati topped the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round before defeating the San Diego Chargers in the American Football League title game.
In Super Bowl XVI against Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers, the Bengals fell 20-0 before scoring 14 straight points in the third quarter but the 49ers prevailed 26-21.
The two teams would eventually meet in the Super Bowl later in the decade.
Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
The 1989 season played out similarly to the Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl appearance.
This team, coached by Sam Wyche, had a winning record of 12-4 and won the AFC Central, earned the No. 1 seed, and defeated the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills to reach Super Bowl XXIII where they would face the San Francisco 49ers once again.
The Bengals took a 16-13 lead in the fourth quarter when Stanford Jennings broke free for a 93-yard kick return touchdown.
But Montana found John Taylor for a touchdown pass to edge the Bengals again, delivering more heartbreak to the Cincinnati fans.
The franchise went through several stretches of mediocrity and some good runs but made the playoffs just seven times from 1991 to 2020 and lost in the Wild Card round every time.
Super Bowl LVI: Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20
Then came the magical NFL 2021 season. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, quarterback Joe Burrow, and Ja’Marr Chase led the team to a 10-7 regular-season record and AFC North title.
The Bengals beat the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card round, upset the No. 1 seed Tennessee Titans in the Divisional round and the defending Super Bowl champs Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game to reach the Super Bowl in Los Angeles.
Super Bowl LVI saw the Cincinnati faithful endure another disappointing loss. The Los Angeles Rams scored a late touchdown in the second half and held the Bengals on the final game of the drive to keep the Bengals winless in franchise history in the Super Bowl.
Despite not winning championships, the Bengals have a passionate fan base who supports their team no matter what happens. They have a stacked team and a great coaching staff, so it may be wise to say that a Super Bowl victory for the Bengals might be on its way.
Do the Bengals Stand a Better Chance with Joe Burrow on the Team?
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led this Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl LVI. Burrow orchestrated a comeback win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game and his experience in the postseason gives the Cincinnati Bengals a chance to win a Super Bowl title this year and future Super Bowls.
