Led By QB Matthew Stafford, Rams Beat 49ers, Advance To Super Bowl

You can’t lose ‘em all—or even seven in a row.

The Rams proved that Sunday as they snapped their six-game losing against divisional-foe San Francisco in the NFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl—head coach Sean McVay’s second in his five years on the job.

“The previous six games where we didn’t find a way to finish had nothing to do with what’s going to occur at 3:30 or 3:40 when we kick this thing off,” McVay said. “Those are separate entities. Our guys did a great job of continuing to compartmentalize. We always talk about being totally and completely present, having a short memory for good and bad. Being able to hit that reset button. I thought our guys did that in a big way.”

The Rams become the second team in as many years to advance to a Super Bowl to be played in their home stadium, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers accomplished the feat last season.

“To be able to play at home in this house that Stan Kroenke built, this iconic venue, is really unique,” McVay said. “A little bit easier travel schedule for us since we traveled all over the country during the course of the year … Just so happy with this group. Proud to be associated with it.”

On the anniversary of his trade to Los Angeles from Detroit, quarterback Matthew Stafford led three consecutive fourth-quarter scoring drives to negate a 10-point deficit, while receiver Cooper Kupp caught a pair of touchdown passes—including one during the aforementioned rally.

Stafford finished 31-of-45 for 337 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on a tipped goal-line pass. He had been 0-3 in the playoffs over his first 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions. Stafford will be the seventh quarterback to start a Super Bowl in his first season with a team (Tom Brady, 2020 Buccaneers; Trent Dilfer, 2000 Ravens only ones to win it).

“It’s great that it’s here,” Stafford said. “If we were playing in it, I didn’t give a hell where it was. I’m like, I just want to play in the dang thing. But the fact that it’s under this roof, it’s going to be awesome. Our fans did an unbelievable job tonight, making it a tough environment. And it’s nice to send some of those red jerseys home.”

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald helped seal the deal after Matt Gay notched a 30-yard field goal to break a 17-17 tie with under two minutes left.

His pressure forced 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo into an ill-advised throw that was intercepted by linebacker Travin Howard; a few plays in victory formation later and Los Angeles was headed to… its home stadium for a Super Bowl matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on February 13.

“I’m so proud of this group,” Stafford said. “We’ve had high expectations all year, done nothing but everything in our power to try to meet those. It’s a terrific group we have in there. Today wasn’t easy. It wasn’t perfect in some spots, but we found a way to win the game and that’s what it’s all about. I’m just happy and proud to be a part of this group. We’ve got some more work left to do.”

The Rams opened as four-point favorites on some sportsbooks.

The win comes one week after L.A. staved off legendary—and possibly former—quarterback Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The Rams trailed 17-7 entering the fourth quarter, but some good luck—including 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt dropping a certain interception—found everyone knotted at 17.

The Rams found the red zone on their ensuing drive, but they wound up settling for the go-ahead field goal.

“Wish I could have gotten that ball out maybe,” Stafford said. “Made them burn a timeout. But at the same time, wish we’d have put seven up there. It would have felt a whole lot better sitting on the sideline, but I’ve got so much trust in our defense, so much faith in those guys. They went out there and did their thing and got the win.”

Prior to the game, the Rams were 0-14 (0-4 this season) under McVay when trailing by 10 or more points entering the fourth quarter, including playoffs.

L.A. pressured Garoppolo on just four of his 22 dropbacks in the opening three quarters (18%), but amped that up to pressures on seven of his nine fourth-quarter dropbacks (77%). Donald and Von Miller combined for seven QB pressures Sunday—all in the second half—and Garoppolo went 1-of-7 passing on them.

“It was great,” Miller said. “He’s been Aaron Donald—vocally, physically, emotionally … That’s what leaders do. He’s a great leader. It just feels good to contribute. Like I said, a Super Bowl is all he needs. He could walk off into the sunset, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make that happen for him.”

Odell Beckham Jr. caught nine passes for 113 yards, including a 29-yard jaunt on L.A.’s tying drive. The one-year deal he signed includes up to $3 million in postseason incentives; he earned $1.25 million with the first two wins and another $750,000 Sunday.

“Everything about this place is right, and it’s done right,” Beckham said. “It’s just been an incredible opportunity that I feel like I’m just trying to make the most of. Here we are playing in the Super Bowl, one game away from our dreams. Just keep going.”

Kupp, the fifth player since 1970 to win the NFC’s receiving triple crown, finished with 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns. His 386 yards are third most in a postseason prior to the Super Bowl.

The Rams will play in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in franchise history; they lost Super Bowl XIV, won Super Bowl XXXIV, lost Super Bowl XXXVI, and lost Super Bowl LIII to Brady and the New England Patriots after the 2018 season.

Article by Andrew Corselli