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 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 6:13, 4th Quarter
This could be the Rams’ final drive. Six minutes is a long time in the NFL, but the Bengals have shown an ability to produce long, game-killing drives this season. This might be Matthew Staffford’s moment. He is operating without his top tight end and wide receivers two and three, and the run game has been actively detrimental to the Rams’ hopes: surely he will look to Cooper Kupp, who has just six targets....
Can the Los Angeles Rams get something going offensively?
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 6:13, 4th Quarter
Dropped! It’s the first one of a year for Tyler Boyd, and it could be a crucial one. Double slants: Ja’Marr Chase clears out space underneath and Boyd might have a first down if he catches and powers through David Long, but the ball thumps against his midriff and then away from his fingertips. The Bengals punt.
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 7:30, 4th Quarter
Third and short, Chris Evans brought into the game in the backfield and the rookie out of Michigan converts! Ernest Jones can’t quite close quickly enough to drag down the Bengal in the flat.
The Bengals screen game has been brilliant all season, but we haven’t seen it at all tonight - their first attempt at setting one up is marshalled by the Rams, and Joe Mixon is felled for a three yard loss.
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 9:00, 4th Quarter
Joe Mixon up the middle! To slow the Rams pass-rush, the Bengals run right at the teeth of the defence, Aaron Donald pushed off the ball and a great chasm opening for Mixon to charge for a first time.
A draw play this time - Mixon gains seven.
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 10:07, 4th Quarter
Three and out! A slight miscommunication on the routes as two Rams try to run for the same space on the left side of the formation, and that causes Ben Skowronek to be on his heels rather than continuing the out-breaking route for which Stafford’s pass is directed. the Rams punt again.
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 10:30, 4th Quarter
Still the Rams run. After a five-yard first-down completion, Sony MIchel tries to get to the outside but Logan Wilson and Mike Hilton combine to chop the running back down. 3rd and 4.
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals, 11:29, 4th Quarter
The Rams have tied the Super Bowl record for sacks with more than 11 minutes still to play. That Von Miller one was their seventh, and took Miller’s Super Bowl tally to 6.5, which also ties a record.
Los Angeles Rams 16-20 Cincinnati Bengals
That did not look good for Burrow, howling in anguish as he grasped for his right knee. It was his left knee that he injured last year.
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