The stage was set for the Los Angeles Rams to win Super Bowl 56 on Sunday.
They played the most prominent game of the season on their home field of SoFi Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals. They were up at halftime 13-10 but then collapsed at the beginning of the second half. But in true Hollywood fashion, the Rams saved their best for last as quarterback Matthew Stafford capped off a 15-play, 79-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp, his second of the game, with 1:25 minute remaining to win 23-20. The Rams lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000.
Kupp, who was named the Super Bowl MVP, was the only significant threat the Rams (16-5) had left after Odell Beckham suffered a knee injury late in the second quarter. For the game, Kupp had eight receptions for 92 yards and two TDs, including four catches for 39 yards on the game-winning drive. Stafford went 26 out of 40 for 283 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Bengals (13-8) got the ball back and immediately got to midfield. But they got stifled as Aaron Donald showed why he's the best defensive player in the NFL. First, he stuffed Samaje Perine on the third and one. Then on fourth and one, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow rolled out of the pocket. Donald came barreling down at Burrow and grabbed ahold of him. Somehow, Burrow had the strength to throw the ball, but it fell incomplete.
Burrow went 22 of 33 for 263 yards with one touchdown.
Here is what happened at Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.