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 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 0:48, 2nd Quarter
This time Burrow finds Tyler Boyd on the left sideline, but the receiver is tackled inbounds. The Bengals call their first timeout of the half as they prepare for a 3rd and medium.
Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 0:55, 2nd Quarter
Aaron Donald gets hands on Joe Burrow as he pursues the Bengals quarterback rolling out. Incomplete. 2nd and 10.
Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00, 2nd Quarter
The Bengals were penalised for taunting in the aftermath of that Jessie Bates interception, with a non-dressed player joining their celebrations.
Joe Burrow thus starts from his own ten-yard line, and hits a five-yard completion followed by a six-yard toss to CJ Uzomah releasing after providing chip help, moving the chains.
INTERCEPTION! Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 2:00, 2nd Quarter
The Rams go tempo, and then slow things down. The Bengals drop eight bodies out, rushing only three, which affords Matthew Stafford plenty of time.
He rolls out to his left, directing downfield traffic, heaving for the endzone...and Jessie Bates catches the fly-ball! Van Jefferson was the intended recipient, but Bates was in perfect coverage, sliding across from the central zone of what looks like Cover 3, and he tracks it all the way to come down with the game’s first defensive turnover to send us to the two minute warning.
Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 3:30, 2nd Quarter
Odell Beckham comes out of the blue medical tent and heads elsewhere, possibly towards the tunnel for further examination.
On the field, a false start, incompletion and short Cam Akers run leave the Rams facing an unfavourable 3rd and 14.
Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 3:30, 2nd Quarter
That will really affect the Rams’ offensive plan. They now don’t have a proven after-the-catch receiver outside of Cooper Kupp.
So Sean McVay gets funky on third down. Some pre-snap motion and then a tight bunch on the right of formation, two receivers clearing space for tight end Brycen Hopkins, who runs a curl and catches for a first down! Looked like a Bengals blitz, but as he has done all season, Stafford cuts it up.
Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 4:30, 2nd Quarter
Oh no! A Matthew Stafford pass hits Odell Beckham right in the hands but the wide receiver drops it, and immediately clutches his knee as he hits the deck! It’s a non-contact injury but Beckham was in instant pain as he planted his left leg - that could well be a damaged ligament of some sort.
Beckham grimaces as the trainers help him off. He is able to walk, assisted, and will try to battle through it given the stage, but that did not look encouraging.
Los Angeles Rams 13-10 Cincinnati Bengals, 5:30, 2nd Quarter
That was Joe Mixon’s first pass in the NFL, by the way. You always have to have something up your sleeve in the Super Bowl.
Over to Los Angeles. The Rams gain six yards through Cam Akers on first down, and then Van Jefferson creates some yards after the catch to move the chains.
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