Cincinnati is set to make its first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years and its third overall as a franchise when it faces the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
Coached by Sam Wyche, the 1988 Bengals and quarterback Boomer Esiason were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers 20-16 in Super Bowl 23 (XXIII) in Miami. Seven years earlier, the 49ers defeated the coach Forrest Gregg-led Bengals 26-21 in Super Bowl 16 (XVI) in the first Super Bowl appearance for both franchises.
The Bengals, founded by the legendary Paul Brown, started play in 1968 and went to the playoffs in their third season in the league.
“I’ll say this, we’re very proud of the history here, Cincinnati Bengals back over the several decades,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said Monday. “There have been some tremendous teams, coaches, players and memories. But these players, it’s important to embrace all that and understand all that, but this is the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals, they weren’t a part of all that yet.”
Before beating the Raiders 26-19 in the wild-card round of the playoffs, the Bengals hadn’t won a playoff game since the 1991 season.
“They’re very much focused (on having) a very narrow focus on week to week and playing their best in winning these playoff games,” Taylor said.
There will be time to reflect.
“After the season when all the work is said and done,” Taylor said. “Just how memorable and how special that is to not only this team and this organization, but the city as a whole.
“But right now, we’ve got bigger things to focus on.”
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