LA Rams Defeat Bengals to Win the Super Bowl

Inglewood, California —(Map)

The result of the 2022 Super Bowl came down to the last minute and a half of play. The Los Angeles Rams scored a game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard pass to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 and walk away with this year’s Super Bowl title.

Over 70,000 fans of American football crowded into SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sunday to watch the 56th Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Rams were playing on their home field against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Rams got off to a good start, with Odell Beckham Jr. scoring off a 17-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Bengals got a field goal. But LA responded with another touchdown, as Stafford found Cooper Kupp in the end zone with an 11-yard pass. That gave LA a 13-3 lead early in the second quarter.

But after that, Cincinnati began to come alive. After a strong drive up the field, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow got the ball to Joe Mixon, who threw a 6-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins.

The second quarter brought a new problem for the Rams when Beckham injured his knee, and was forced to leave the game.

The Rams got off to a good start, with Odell Beckham Jr. scoring off a 17-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford, above. The Bengals got a field goal. But LA responded with another touchdown, as Stafford found Cooper Kupp in the end zone with an 11-yard pass.

Early in the second half, the Bengals jumped out to a strong lead on a touchdown that upset many people. Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins ran a 75-yard touchdown off a pass from Burrow.

But video showed that to make the catch, Higgins had grabbed and pulled on the face mask of Jalen Ramsey of the Rams. If the move had been seen by the referee, it would have resulted in a penalty.

With Beckham out of the game, LA had a hard time scoring. But their strong defense kept them from falling too far behind. They started the fourth quarter trailing 20-16.

In the second half, Cincinnati’s Higgins ran a 75-yard touchdown off a pass from Burrow. But video showed that to make the catch, Higgins had grabbed and pulled on the face mask of Jalen Ramsey of the Rams. Above, Higgins makes the catch as Ramsey falls to the ground.

With about six minutes left to go, the Rams were 79 yards away from the end zone. They settled in to work, pushing up the field. With 1:29 left on the clock, the Rams faced off against the Bengals on the 1-yard line.

Stafford snapped a quick pass to Kupp, who had charged into the end zone. Kupp had the ball in his arms almost before defender Eli Apple realized the pass had been thrown. LA completed the kick, putting them up 23-20.

With 1:29 left, the Rams faced off against the Bengals on the 1-yard line. Stafford snapped a quick pass to Kupp, who had charged into the end zone. Kupp had the ball in his arms almost before defender Eli Apple realized the pass had been thrown (above).

But with 1:25 left, Cincinnati made a strong drive. It looked like the Bengals had a chance at tying things up with a field goal.

Rams defender Aaron Donald was determined to prevent that. Breaking through two Bengals defenders, Donald sacked Burrow, who threw a quick pass that wasn’t caught. That gave the ball back to the Rams, who were happy just to let the clock run down.

“I’m so proud of this team,” said LA Rams coach Sean McVay. At 36 years old, McVay is now the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl. Kupp was named the Super Bowl’s MVP (Most Valuable Player).

At age 36, McVay (blue shirt) is now the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl. Kupp (right) was named the Super Bowl’s MVP (Most Valuable Player). Above, the LA Rams celebrate with the trophy after their win.

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Did You Know…?
It was a hard defeat for the Bengals, who have gone to the Super Bowl three times, but never won. This was the team’s first trip to the Super Bowl since 1988.