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).
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.
