Super Bowl pregame news Despite the Bengals' superior regular season record and Esiason's MVP award, the 49ers were heavily favored to win the Super Bowl, mainly because of Montana. Montana had already led the 49ers to two previous Super Bowls and both times left with a championship ring and Super Bowl MVP honors. Esiason was also suffering from a sore left (throwing) shoulder, although the Bengals tried to keep it under wraps and made up for a lack of big-play passing attack with a run-heavy offense led by Woods and Brooks against their first two playoff opponents, Seattle and Buffalo.
Super BOwl pregAmE nEWs DespIte The beNGalS' superioR regUlAR SeasoN reCOrd and esiason'S mvp AwArD, tHe 49Ers WERe HeaVILy faVorEd to wIN the sUpER boWl, mainLY becaUsE of MOntANA. Montana hAd already leD THe 49ers to Two PreViOuS suPEr bowls and BOth timEs lEFt wiTh a chamPIonSHIp RiNG and SUper Bowl mvP HoNors. eSiason Was alSO SufFeriNg from A Sore lEfT (thRoWing) shOulder, alTHoUGh the BEnGaLs triED to KeEp it UnDer wRAps and mAde up for a lack oF BIG-PLay paSsING ATtack with a ruN-hEAvy oFFENSE Led By woods AND BRooKS agaiNst tHeiR fiRSt tWO PlAyoff OppoNENTs, seatTle aND bUfFalO.