Ice-cold Burrow is vital for Bengals

FOR the Cincinnati Bengals to win their first Super Bowl, they will need one player to make his mark on the showpiece.

In only his second season in the NFL, Joe Burrow has transformed the fortunes of the franchise, who face the Los Angeles Rams today.

The No1 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Burrow’s rookie campaign ended in only his 10th NFL game when he tore both his anterior and medial cruciate ligaments.

But the 25-year-old has recovered both physically and mentally, showing no scars from the injury during a magic carpet ride of a season.

He has proven capable of magnificent throws, damaging runs and inspirational play, and manages to be as likeable off the field as he is on it. Both team-mates and opponents talk about him in gushing terms.

‘If you look up the word “cool” in the dictionary, there should just be a picture of him,’ said Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

As for Burrow, he loves playing the pivotal role in a game. ‘My favourite part about playing quarterback... there are great players at every position in the NFL, but only a few really affect the game in a drastic way,’ he said.

‘Quarterback is the one position on the field that can really affect the game on every play. I like having the ball in my hands every play and being able to win or lose with me.’

When you read that, it may chide. But if you listen to Burrow you end up liking him — and rooting for him.

After winning the Heisman Trophy and the national championship with Louisiana State University in his final year of college football, he can join namesakes Namath and Montana as the only quarterbacks to complete the triumvirate.

Burrow could also give Bengals their first Super Bowl victory, with the franchise having lost in 1982 and 1989, their two previous appearances.

TV: Live on BBC One and Sky Sports NFL from 11.30pm.