INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Down late in Super Bowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams went to a familiar offensive well to etch their names in sports history.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Cooper Kupp six times on the go-ahead drive, with the finale being a one-yard touchdown to polish off a 15-play, 79-yard journey that made it 23-20 with 1:25 left on the clock.
That score held, as the Rams claimed victory on their home field, SoFi Stadium, over the Cincinnati Bengals to claim the second Super Bowl title in franchise history (Super Bowl XXXIV, 1999, vs. Tennessee Titans).
Two Stafford interceptions and a questionable Cincinnati TD to begin the second half weren’t enough to stop Los Angeles, which became the second team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl on their home turf (Tampa Bay, 2021).
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Stafford completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards, and Kupp caught eight passes for 92 yards and two of Stafford’s three scores to garner MVP honors. Stafford’s first TD went to Odell Beckham Jr., who departed in the second quarter due to a non-contact knee injury.
L.A.’s defense combined for seven sacks with Aaron Donald and Von Miller each knocking Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow down twice. Donald, Miller, Leonard Floyd and A’Shawn Robinson dominated the game in the second half, constantly frustrating Burrow.
Donald sealed the game late as he powered his way through the offensive line and wrapped up Burrow, forcing an ill-advised throw that fell to the ground on fourth down. Burrow finished 22-of-33 for 263 yards and a touchdown, while Cincy running back Joe Mixon (72 yards on the ground) also threw a touchdown pass; both scores were hauled in by Tee Higgins, who caught four passes for 100 yards.
On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Burrow hit Higgins deep down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown to make it 17-13 in the visitors’ favor. However, the score was immediately questioned as replays showed the receiver clearly grabbed the facemask of cornerback Jalen Ramsey. No penalty was called, though.
The Bengals increased their lead to 20-13 before the Rams closed the door with the final 10 points of the game.
The Bengals went 3-for-14 on third downs.
To add insult to injury, Sean McVay announced on Monday that the Los Angeles Rams…
The Panthers named Andy Dalton as their new starting quarterback earlier this week, relieving 2023…
Once known as the worst clutch quarterback in the NFL, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins…
On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve with a concussion.…
The Chicago Bears learned the hard way last week that not all wins are pretty.…
Quarterback Daniel Jones has had to field multiple questions about negative Giants fans last week.…