Really trying to NOT be a salty Bengals fan, because hell they're a year or two ahead of schedule on their rebuild simply by hitting on Burrow and Chase in back-to-back drafts and then making smart defensive free agent signings.
However, with how loaded the AFC is for the foreseeable future (Mahomes, Allen, Tennessee if they ever get a QB, and Belichick building around Jones), even if they give Burrow an offensive line, it's no guarantee that they will have more than another chance or two at the Super Bowl in the next 10 years... so I find myself miffed at the officiating late in the game, and how the shift from "let them play" hurt the Bengals at a bad time.
And yes, I'm aware a huge momentum-swinging play was a result of a clear non-call on Higgins' OPI. I initially felt like the call on Wilson was a makeup they were saving for a good time, especially when you can throw a random holding flag on almost any play when the refs know they owe you one.
HOWEVER. Now I'll be a sore loser lol. The holding call should have never happened, because there should have been a snap infraction or a false start on LA before the play got going. Everyone on their line but the center moved early. Should've backed them up 5 and made it a worse situation, allowing for softer zone coverage with their drop-8 scheme.
And then, on the long bomb to Chase, Ramsey tugged his arm in what was clear DPI, but it didn't get called because Chase made an amazing catch... but if Ramsey doesn't hold him, Chase probably scores on the play, instead of the Bengals settling for 3.
Of course, I could watch the film and pick out missed holds and other calls on Cincy... but the idea is that generally, the refs let them play, which is how it should be in the Super Bowl. And it benefitted the Bengals in a huge way!... but the pendulum swung too far the other way when things were supposed to balance out, and it swung when there wasn't enough time for the players to settle the matter on their own.
But anyway, it was a great game that was immensely entertaining, and I'm thrilled that Andrew Whitworth and Aaron Donald get Super Bowl rings... even if they come at the expense of Big Whit's former team and Joe Burrow's health and safety.