Whether it’s the single-digit temperatures, the coronavirus shutdown or a love of football and pageantry that has you staying in Sunday, be prepared for the Super Bowl and all its trappings. Here’s our guide on what to make or order in, what to watch — from the halftime show to Puppy Bowl — and what to expect, starting with …
Everything you need to know about TV and radio coverage
From who’s carrying the game to who’s calling it to what show CBS is running afterward, here are the details about Super Bowl LV, which is set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Central time Sunday in Tampa, Florida. Your ultimate watch guide.
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The best and worst commercials so far
After a year in which advertisers struggled to cope with the new realities imposed by the pandemic (indeed, some big names are sitting this one out), this year’s Super Bowl spots mostly set all that tough news aside. Life, at least in this year’s crop of massively expensive commercial pitches, resumes more or less as it was, and the results are a little disconcerting even as the attempts at humor seem safer and less successful. See Steve Johnson’s ranking here.
21 game-winning dip recipes
One game day food category reigns supreme: dip. From Buffalo chicken to French onion dips to salsa, guacamole, hummus and everything in between, these 21 dip recipes will score with your team. Get the recipes here.
Or maybe you want wings
Looking to replicate the flavors of the wings from your favorite sports bar? We’ve got your back with 15 epic recipes — from classic Buffalo to garlic Parmesan, barbecue, teriyaki and even tofu. Get the recipes here.
Take it easy: Order in
Be ready for kickoff at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 with a game-day spread from one of these Chicago and suburban restaurants. Remember: The best game day strategy is to order ahead. Scroll through your options here.
The Weeknd owns the halftime show
Three-time Grammy Award winner The Weeknd will headline the halftime show. Known for his falsetto vocals and chart-topping albums, including his most recent, “After Hours,” The Weeknd spoke recently about the full-face bandages he has been wearing, leaving many fans wondering what they mean, and whether he will sport them at the game. More on that here. He also sat down for a Q&A session about what to expect for his halftime show following a Grammy snub.
A look back at some of the worst halftime shows
As you wait for Sunday’s halftime show, indulge in one of the most popular pastimes: Trashing past shows. Here are some of the worst of the modern era.
Miley Cyrus headlining TikTok Tailgate
Miley Cyrus, coming off her seventh full-length album, “Plastic Hearts,” will headline the NFL TikTok Tailgate at the Super Bowl — a pregame event for the 7,500 health care heroes invited to attend the game for free. Fans can tune into @NFL on TikTok for access to two hours of live, pregame content, including TikTok creators, surprise musical performances and game day cooking segments. More details here.
Jesse Collins gets the spotlight
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Finally, Jesse Collins is getting the spotlight he’s worked so hard for. From the Grammy Awards to the BET Awards to CBS’ “John Lewis: Celebrating a Hero” special, Collins has seemingly produced it all. Now the Emmy nominee is set to become the halftime show’s first Black executive producer. See the story here.
Local puppy makes it big
A shepherd mix puppy that survived a house fire, recovered from a contagious disease, blossomed in foster care and found a new home with an Oak Park family is slated to be featured on Sunday’s broadcast of Puppy Bowl XVII. Foofur, the Oak Park puppy, is set to appear in one of the “Pup Close and Personal” segments during the three-hour program, which will air at 1 p.m. on Animal Planet and stream via the Discovery Plus platform. Get all the Puppy Bowl details here.
Place your bets
The Bears may be in hibernation once again, but Chicago fans can still have some skin in the game for this year’s Super Bowl. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday in Super Bowl LV, Chicagoans can legally wager on the big game for the first time, the culmination of a pandemic-challenged but promising inaugural year of sports betting in Illinois. See the story here.
Chicago championships: A look back
Chicago sports teams have won 12 championships since 1985 — with the Bulls winning six. As sports fans look ahead to Super Bowl LV, we look back at the rings issued to Chicago coaches, players and owners, including the Bears’ Super Bowl XX victory. See the rings here.
100 greatest NFL players of the 21st century
How many Chicago Bears in this ranking of the 100 greatest NFL players of this century? See the ranking here.
Alternative programming: the 11 best football movies
You’re not watching the Super Bowl? Maybe you’re watching these super football movies instead — from “Brian’s Song” to “North Dallas Forty.” Check out the list here.