By NFL Correspondent D.Higgins

We have come to my final NFL predictions article — it’s Super Bowl time!

Two weeks ago, I shared my predictions for the NFC and AFC championship games. Let’s see how I did:

Prediction: Chiefs 35 – Bengals 24

Actual Score: Bengals 27 – Chiefs 24 (OT)

Comments: The Chiefs took their foot off the gas and blew a 21-3 lead, shockingly dropping a home playoff game against the underdog Bengals. Cincinnati, who won just 6 games combined from 2019-2020, now has a trip to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988, when they lost to the Montana & Rice 49ers.

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Prediction: Rams 31 – Niners 24

Actual Score: Rams 20 – Niners 17

Comments: In a great defensive battle, the Rams prevailed, coming from behind to win the NFC and host Super Bowl LVI thanks to a 13-point comeback after falling behind 17-7 as the fourth quarter began. QB Matthew Stafford threw for 337 yards on 31-for-45 passing. In a 17-17 tie with about 6:30 to go, the Rams marched down field for Matt Gay to kick the eventual game-winning 30-yard field goal.

In the Championship Round, I went 1-1, and overall, my playoff predictions sit at an even 6-and-6. I guess Super Bowl LVI is the tiebreaker! Let’s get to my pick.

Super Bowl LVI

Prediction: Rams 27 – Bengals 24

The Super Bowl returns to Los Angeles where it all began, and for the first time since 1993’s game at The Rose Bowl.

I think this one is going to be a tight game and a classic. The Rams have the Los Angeles home crowd on their side and the better postseason experience. Joe Burrow and the Bengals had a great season and should be proud of how quickly they turned into an AFC powerhouse, but it is the Rams’ time. I think head coach Sean McVay makes all the right calls, and Von Miller, Aaron Donald, and the Rams defense makes the perfect stops at the perfect times.

Of course, in all honesty, I wouldn’t be sad one bit if the Bengals pull through and win this game. It’s hard to root against either team. I’m a Dodgers fan first and foremost, so I always love to root for the Los Angeles teams. But with a young and exciting Joe Burrow at quarterback, a wide receiver named Tee Higgins (my distant cousin, perhaps?), and memories of the Ickey Shuffle, one can’t help but load up on some Skyline Chili and holler “Who dey?” every time the Bengals score.

Still, it feels like the Rams’ time, who have never won a Super Bowl in Los Angeles (the St. Louis Rams beat the Titans in 1999 in Super Bowl XXXIV, and L.A. won a pre-Super Bowl Championship in 1951 over the Browns).

Crank up the Randy Newman, fire up some street dogs, and get ready to party, L.A., because the Rams will be the Super Bowl Champions.