Super Bowl 2022 LIVE: Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals result as Cooper Kupp wins MVP
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl and the Vince Lombardi Trophy
The Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl 56 after a rollercoaster game with the Cincinnati Bengals. Cooper Kupp scored the winning touchdown before Aaron Donald made the decisive play in a 23-20 game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for three touchdowns as he out duelled Joe Burrow in a see-saw game that went back and forth before LA, on their home field, emerged victorious in the fourth quarter. It is a second Super Bowl win for the Rams, following their first - as the St Louis Rams - back in 1999, as coach Sean McVay makes amends for defeat in the big game three years ago.
Odell Beckham Jr grabbed the opening score in the first quarter before Kupp hauled in his first of the night as the Rams jumped out to an early lead. But the Bengals, who have gone from the foot of the AFC North a year ago all the way to the showpiece game, came roaring back and a pair of Tee Higgins touchdowns either side of half-time saw them come back to lead heading into the fourth.
Crucially though Stafford still had time and on the Rams’ final possession drove all the way down before finding Kupp in the end zone to recapture the advantage. And with time ticking down Donald sacked Burrow on fourth down on the following drive to end the game and spark jubilant scenes in LA.
Los Angeles Rams 7-3 Cincinnati Bengals
I’d say the Rams have probably been overly conservative so far. There has been limited creativity on early downs, which have featured a heavy run bias and limited pre-snap motion, and the Bengals have so far stood up strongly.
The Bengals will be pleased to have so far kept the Rams’ pass rush at bay, though Joe Burrow is getting the ball out very quickly.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER! Los Angeles Rams 7-3 Cincinnati Bengals
Another first down run of limited success for the Rams will be the final play of the opening 15 minutes. Even stuff so far. A good quarter for former LSU receivers, with Odell Beckham’s touchdown and Ja’Marr Chase’s outstanding deep catch.
Field Goal! Evan McPherson narrows the Rams’ lead
A short field goal for McPherson, who has had such an impressive playoff run.
Los Angeles Rams 7-3 Cincinnati Bengals, 0:28, 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Rams 7-0 Cincinnati Bengals, 0:38, 1st Quarter
Von Miller gets a big paw up to block Joe Burrow’s first-down pass, and then Joe Mixon shells a short toss as he braces for the hit from Eric Weddle.
3rd and 10, for the endzone...dropped! Tee Higgins fights for the ball against Jalen Ramsey but neither can quite wrestle it free from the other, and eventually it hits the deck. A hint of a tug on Higgins’ hip from the cornerback but a fair enough no call, and Evan McPherson will line up three...
Los Angeles Rams 7-0 Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00, 1st Quarter
First down Bengals! Out of 21 personnel, the Bengals go to their running game, and Joe Mixon bursts free from an arm tackle.
HUGE COMPLETION! Ja’Marr Chase beats Jalen Ramsey! From off coverage, Chase puts on a double move and forces Ramsey to stumble, blowing by the cornerback on the nine route. Chase somehow reels in Joe Burrow’s pass at full extension with a single hand and the Bengals are all the way down to the Rams’ 11-yard line.
Los Angeles Rams 7-0 Cincinnati Bengals, 2:09, 1st Quarter
Sony Michel takes the handoff and bashes into the back of guard Austin Corbett, reaching over the top of his teammate for a minimal game.
3rd and 7. Stafford quickly works through his options as the Bengals drop bodies out, and has to again check it down. Chidobe Awuzie makes another strong tackle on Van Jefferson well short of the marker and the Rams will punt.
Johnny Hekker’s kick is a beauty, but Trent Taylor shows impressive burst and gets 10 yards or so on the return.
Los Angeles Rams 7-0 Cincinnati Bengals, 4:00, 1st Quarter
The Rams have run on every first down so far, but break that trend with a play-action rollout to the right, with Matthew Stafford dumping off to Ben Skowronek underneath for five yards.
11 personnel, shotgun, tight formation, and Stafford tries to adjust something late. Too late - delay of game and a five-yard penalty against the Rams. Second and 10.
DOTS!
Another look at the Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown. The Bengals drop eight, but expecting something underneath drop two pass rushers into robber coverage. That means it is man coverage and single high elsewhere, a bad strategy against the Rams’ receivers - and Beckham and Stafford took advantage.
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