I know I’m not alone when I say that this was (probably) the greatest front to back postseason in sports history — let alone NFL history. Of the 13 games, nine were decided by one score or less — including Super Bowl LVI, where the Rams just defeated the Bengals 23-20 in come-from-behind fashion.

Packer fans will have a sour taste in their mouth, as will some other fan bases. But, let’s be honest, will their ever be another ending as thrilling as the AFC Divisional Round game between the Chiefs and the Bills? It was bananas. 

This year’s Super Bowl was one I had no dog in the fight. I leaned toward Cincinnati because I have several friends from that way that have been miserable for more than 30 years. I also liked that Darlington grad Alex Erickson spent five seasons as a Bengal, but unfortunately not this year for the deep playoff run. That would have added some extra local flair and cheer.

However, I went into the game also knowing that if Matthew Stafford made it through 12 years of pain and misery in Detroit, he deserved to have a day of happiness.

As the game reached the final five minutes, I turned to my wife and son and said “This reminds me of the last time the Bengals were in the Super Bowl, and Joe Montana drove the 49ers the length of the field in three minutes to win.”

And just like that, the Rams worked their way down the field. Oh, you didn’t like the flags in the red zone? Meh. You don’t watch the NFL. There is nothing but inconsistency when the game is on the line (plus, lest we forget the massive no-call offensive pass interference in the third quarter on the 75-yard Higgins TD).

The game had drama. It completed a stellar postseason. I liked it.

I also am kicking myself for not making any side bets that go with the Super Bowl. “Tails”, “Bengals receive”, plus the winner, spread and over/under. I could have done very well had I not given up on sports gambling in 2007.

Now for the other fun (and not-so-fun) stuff.

The halftime show was phenomenal. Surely there are people out there perplexed by the hip-hop and rap-filled performance of legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Eminem and Mary J. Blige (plus Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent). However, this will go down easily in Adam’s Best Halftime Shows as No. 2 ever (I’m not sure anything will beat Prince’s Purple Rain in the rain (a heavy rain, at that). Though a Tupac/Easy E hologram, or an East Coast/West Coast symbiotic show could have pushed that a bit.

The commercials left a little something to be desired, though. I keep a 1-5 scale for each commercial all night, and I had just four that were 5/5. Actually, one of those, the claymation leading into halftime, was my wife telling me it was a five while I changed a diaper in the other room. Other props go to Scarlett Johnanson and hubby Colin Jost, Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan, plus the return of “Scrubs” with T-Mobile.

These rankings are definitive and cannot be appealed. Until next year.

— Adam Krebs is the editor of the Times and listened to Dre & Snoop’s “Next Episode” as the last song on his mixtape before he competed in every sporting event between the ages of 15-31. He can be reached at editor@themonroetimes.com.