Super Bowl 56: 10 likeliest players to win MVP

10. Tee Higgins, Bengals receiver

The prototypical outside receiver for the Bengals, Tee Higgins has quietly been going about his business in the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase. That hasn’t stopped him from being a 1,000-yard receiver in his second season. Higgins was at his best against the Chiefs too, catching six of his ten targets for 103 yards.

Ramsey could well be occupied by Chase for long periods of the game, which means Higgins could have some opportunities to work against the rest of the Rams secondary – which, by the way, is still a very good unit. But, the likes of Darious Williams and David Long Jr. are still a more favorable matchup than Jalen Ramsey. Burrow likes to go deep and Higgins is often the recipient of those targets, if he can work downfield and maybe add a touchdown on top of it, he might just sneak an unlikely Super Bowl MVP.

9. Jalen Ramsey, Rams cornerback

Ramsey needs no introduction. The trash-talking, uber-physical corner was built for the biggest moments. He’s undoubtedly been the best corner in the NFL over the last three years and, at only 27-years-old, Ramsey is still well in his peak. He’ll also square up against a trio of very good receivers this Sunday.

The Bengals don’t only have Chase on the outside, they’ve also got Higgins and Tyler Boyd in the slot. Ramsey, and the rest of the Rams corners, are going to have to be at their best. But Ramsey is the corner who has the chance to make the biggest impact. A couple of pass breakups, a big interception, some stops in the run game – Ramsey can do it all. The last defensive back to win Super Bowl MVP was Dexter Jackson, back in Super Bowl 37, so Ramsey would be in rarified air.