Superbowl

After getting knocked out of the playoffs in the second round of the 2020-2021 season, the Los Angeles Rams entered the 2021 season on a mission. The Rams acquired QB Matthew Stafford in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions during the off season. The Rams sent away their supposed franchise QB Jared Goff in exchange. This trade reshaped the Rams whole team. The Rams finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, and went on to dominate the 11-6 Arizona Cardinals, with a score of 34-11. The Rams then faced the defending Super Bowl champs in Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round. The Rams came into the game as underdogs. But with a strong start in the game, they were up at halftime: 20-3. The Rams were able to stay on top and win the game 30-27 to advance to the conference championship. The Rams would go up against their arch rival in the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams overcame a 10-point deficit to win the game 20-17. This was the Rams second Super Bowl appearance in four years. In 2019 they lost to the New England Patriots. This time they were up against the up-and-coming Cincinnati Bengals. The Rams were ready to strap up and play in front of their home crowd at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It was a back and forth matchup, with the score being 13-10 Rams at the end of the first half. However, in the 3rd quarter the Bengals took the lead, 20-16. It was a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter. With one minute left, and the Lombardi trophy on the line, Matthew Stafford threw a go ahead touchdown to Cooper Kupp to take the lead 23-20. The Rams star defense was able to hold the determined offense of the Bengals and win the Superbowl.

World Series

The Houston Astros finished the regular season first place in the AL West division, with a record of 106-56, sending them to their sixth straight postseason. The Astros played the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS, winning the series 3-0 and making a dominant statement over the young and electric Mariners team. The Astros then faced the New York Yankees in the ALCS for a trip to the World Series. The Astros are very familiar with the Yankees in postseason play, having met four times since 2015. The Astros would go on to sweep the Yankees 4-0 and head to the World Series undefeated in postseason play. The World Series matchup was the “Dominant” Houston Astros against the “Cinderella Story” Philadelphia Phillies. The Philadelphia Phillies were coming in hot to take on the Astros, after not making a World Series appearance in 13 years. This was a back and forth series. The Phillies won games 1 and 3, taking a 2-1 series lead, before the Astros pulled away and won three straight games to win their second World Series title in five years. 

NBA 

The Golden State Warriors have been the model organization in the NBA for the past decade. Having won four titles in eight years and having one of the greatest players ever in Stephen Curry, the team has many other stars and Hall of Famers. The Warriors run came to a halt during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 NBA season. Due to injuries and new players, the Warriors missed the playoffs both years. Finishing 39-33, only six wins above .500 and 8th in the western conference, with no chance at a playoff appearance in 2021, the season was a disappointment to the players and community of the Warriors. However, knowing they had to flip the switch, the Warriors came back in 2021-2022 with sights on wanting to get back to the NBA championships. Before the season, the Warriors had high expectations. They were predicted to have a 55-27 record and finish 4th overall. 

NHL

After finishing the 2020-2021 season with the most points in the league, the Colorado Avalanche were out in the second round of the NHL playoffs. The Avalanche entered the 2021-2022 season as favorites to win the Stanley Cup. With a roster loaded with talent, the Avalanche propelled their huge expectations, and finished the regular season with 119 points; second in the league, behind the Florida Panthers. The Avalanche began their postseason run by dominating the Nashville Predators, sweeping the series, 4-0. They would then go on to face division rival, St. Louis Blues in the second round. A competitive series, but the Avalanche were too good for the Blues, winning the series 4-2. In the Western Conference Final, the Avalanche went up against prodigy Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid is known to be the best player in all of hockey. However, the Avalanche were once again, just too good, sweeping the Oilers 4-0. The Avalanche would then face a massive challenge in the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning were the two-time defending champions. This set up one of the most interesting Stanley Cup matchups in recent history. The Avalanche started off strong against the champs, winning the first two games of the series, including a 7-0 throttle. The Lightning showed the heart of a champion winning two of the next three games. But there would be no comeback. The Avalanche would go on to win game 6 and dethrone the back-to-back champs.  

World Cup

The 2022 World Cup was hosted by Qatar. This was going to be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup ever. All the pressure in the world was put on him and Argentina to finally deliver a World Cup Championship for the first time since 1986. However, Argentina’s run couldn’t have started off any worse. In one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their first match. Despite this massive upset, Argentina was able to win its next two of the group stage and advance to the knockout stage. In the round of 16, Argentina went up against a tougher Australia team than expected, but were able to move on. This set up a heavy weight showdown in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. Argentina had a 2-0 in the 80th minute. However, the Netherlands scored two clutch goals to force extra time. Argentina was able to overcome a huge letdown and defeat the Netherlands in PKs. In the semifinals, Argentina dominated an experienced Croatia team 3-0. This set up an epic matchup in the final. Argentina was up against the defending champions in France. Kylian Mbappe was becoming the new face of soccer. This game was an instant classic. Like in the quarterfinals, Argentina was up 2-0 in the 80th minute. However, presumably being the best player in the world, Mbappe scored two clutch goals for France to show the heart of a champion. Each time scored a goal in extra time, including Mbappes’ third. It was all Argentina in PKs though, beating France 4-2 in PKs. Argentina officially became World Cup Champions and Lionel Messi solidified himself as perhaps the greatest player ever.