Super Bowl 2022 LIVE: Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals result as Cooper Kupp wins MVP

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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.