The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Head coach Sean McVay's squad capped an aggressive, all-in roster strategy with a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive, sealing the franchise's second Super Bowl title.
This victory validated a high-stakes team-building model that traded future draft capital for immediate veteran impact. Rather than rebuilding through the draft, general manager Les Snead acquired elite talent like quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and edge rusher Von Miller to secure a championship window at home.
The Path to Super Bowl LVI
The Rams finished the 2021 regular season with a 12-5 record, winning the NFC West before navigating a rugged playoff bracket. They defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round and outlasted the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional round. In the NFC Championship Game, Los Angeles overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to beat their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, erasing years of regular-season frustration.
The Cincinnati Bengals arrived as the AFC representative after a worst-to-first turnaround led by second-year quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals won a tight AFC Wild Card matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, stunned the top-seeded Tennessee Titans, and erased an 18-point deficit against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
Game Flow and Key Turning Points
The game kicked off at 3:35 p.m. PST before a crowd of 70,048. The Rams struck first when Matthew Stafford connected with Odell Beckham Jr. for a 17-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Los Angeles extended their lead to 13-3 in the second quarter following a touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp, though a missed extra point kept the door open.
Cincinnati responded before halftime. Running back Joe Mixon threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins on a trick play, cutting the deficit to 13-10 at the break.
The momentum flipped instantly on the first play of the third quarter. Bengals receiver Tee Higgins caught a deep ball from Joe Burrow, eluding cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a 75-yard score. On the very next play from scrimmage, Stafford was intercepted by Chidobe Awuzie, setting up a field goal by rookie Evan McPherson that gave Cincinnati a 20-13 lead.
The Defensive Slugfest and Game-Winning Drive
The fourth quarter turned into a defensive struggle. The Rams pass rush, anchored by Aaron Donald and Von Miller, repeatedly harassed Joe Burrow, finishing the game with seven total sacks—tying a Super Bowl record.
Trailing 20-16 late in the game, the Rams needed a sustained offensive march. Taking over with under six minutes remaining, Stafford engineered a 79-yard drive. Key plays included a fourth-and-one conversion hauled in by Cooper Kupp and a series of defensive penalties by Cincinnati inside the red zone. With 1:25 left on the clock, Stafford lofted a back-shoulder pass to Kupp for a 1-yard touchdown, giving the Rams a 23-20 advantage.
Cincinnati's final possession ended when Aaron Donald pressured Burrow on fourth-and-one, forcing an incomplete desperation pass that sealed the victory.
Key Player Statistics and Milestones
- Cooper Kupp: Named Super Bowl LVI MVP after catching 8 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, capping a historic triple-crown season.
- Matthew Stafford: Completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in his first Super Bowl appearance.
- Aaron Donald: Recorded two crucial sacks, including the game-sealing pressure on the final drive.
- Sean McVay: At 36 years and 20 days old, became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
Read more about the official box score on Pro-Football-Reference or explore historical game archives on the NFL Official Site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Super Bowl LVI and what was the final score?
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals with a final score of 23-20.
Who won the Super Bowl LVI MVP award?
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp won the MVP award after recording the game-winning touchdown catch in the final minutes.
Where was Super Bowl LVI played?
The game took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, making the Rams the second consecutive team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
How many sacks did the Rams defense record?
The Rams defense sacked Joe Burrow seven times, tying the all-time Super Bowl record for sacks in a single game.
