Super Bowl 56: 10 likeliest players to win MVP

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 30: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals rolls out to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

8. Odell Beckham Jr, Rams receiver

Since joining the Rams in mid-November, Odell Beckham has slowly been finding his feet. Showing us glimpses and flashes of his elite receiving ability. He’s become a great weapon for Matthew Stafford and a consistent red-zone target. It was the NFC Championship Game where Beckham really came to life, though, with nine catches for 113 yards.

If the Bengals make it a priority to slow down Kupp, Beckham will be the first receiver to truly benefit. He still has the ability to get open in a phone booth and is a threat at all three levels. After a murky start to the season and a very public break-up with the Cleveland Browns, this would be the ultimate turnaround for OBJ.

7. Trey Hendrickson, Bengals edge rusher

One of the best free-agent signings of the season, Trey Hendrickson has been a revelation for the Bengals this season – proving that his breakout season with the New Orleans Saints in 2020 wasn’t just a one-off. Hendrickson totaled 75 pressures and 14.5 sacks in the regular season and was part of a strong Bengals defensive line.

They’ll face an equally assured Rams offensive line in Super Bowl 56, and Hendrickson will likely match up with Andrew Whitworth on occasion, so he’ll definitely earn his reps. Stafford has only been pressured on 28 percent of his dropbacks so far in the playoffs, per PFF, so it’ll be a tough day for the Bengals pass rushers. However, Hendrickson has shown that he’s capable of stepping up in the big moments.

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