On February 13, 2022, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 to win Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. This verified explainer outlines how the Rams secured the victory, detailing the scoring progression, pivotal sequences, and the performance that defined the championship moment. The game marked the Rams’ second Super Bowl title and first since 1999, affirming their resurgence under head coach Sean McVay. Below is a clear, fact-focused breakdown of the match, avoiding speculation and emphasizing documented outcomes.
Final Score and MVP
Final score: Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20. Super Bowl LVI Most Valuable Player: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams. Below is a concise summary of verified scoring and player performance metrics for the game.
| Team | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 3 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
| Bengals | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Source: Official NFL scoring summary, Super Bowl LVI.
Key First-Half Sequence
Early Field Goals Set the Tone
Both teams traded field goals in the opening quarter, with each kicking a 35-yarder to make the score 3–3. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with a 52-yard field goal by Matt Gay to take a 6–3 lead. The Bengals then scored a touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins, giving Cincinnati a 10–6 halftime advantage. The Rams countered with a 38-yard field goal right before the half to reduce the deficit to 10–9 at intermission.
Halftime Adjustments and Opening Drives
After halftime, the Rams received the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 75 yards in 11 plays, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp, giving Los Angeles a 16–10 lead. The Bengals answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive of their own, ending in a 1-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon to retake the lead at 17–16. Each team then traded field goals in the third quarter, setting up a tense fourth quarter.
Pivotal Fourth Quarter
Critical Stops and Conversions
With under five minutes remaining, the Rams faced fourth and three at their own 41-yard line. On the ensuing play, Stafford found Kupp in the middle of the field for a first down, a hold that proved vital. The Rams subsequently moved to the Bengals 31-yard line, where Matt Gay drilled a 48-yard field goal to put Los Angeles ahead 19–17. On the next possession, the Bengals reached the Rams 28-yard line but settled for a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 20–20 with 1:49 left.
Winning Drive and Clutch Performance
On the Rams’ final drive, Stafford completed three consecutive passes to move the chains, including a 16-yard completion to Kupp and an 11-yard completion to Robert Woods. Facing fourth and one at the Bengals 30, Stafford scrambled and found Kupp in the end zone for the winning touchdown with 31 seconds remaining. Gay’s extra point sealed the 23–20 victory. Defensively, the Rams forced a three-and-out on the Bengals’ final possession, securing the championship.
Season Context and Playoff Path
Both teams entered the postseason as playoff contenders in the 2021 calendar year. The Rams finished the 2021 regular season with a 12–5 record, earning the NFC’s No. 3 seed before defeating the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. They then overcame the top-seed 49ers in the NFC Championship Game to reach Super Bowl LVI. The Bengals posted an 11–6 record as the AFC’s No. 4 seed, upsetting the Bills in the Wild Card round and defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round before losing to the Rams.
Notable Stats and Comparisons
| Category | Los Angeles Rams | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 331 | 328 |
| Passing Yards | 224 | 228 |
| Rushing Yards | 107 | 100 |
| Time of Possession | 32:25 | 27:35 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties | 6 | 6 |
Source: NFL official game statistics, Super Bowl LVI.
Legacy and Takeaways
The 2022 Super Bowl win solidified the Rams’ identity as a resilient, postseason-savvy team capable of performing on the sport’s biggest stage. Kupp’s MVP performance, Stafford’s steady leadership, and the defense’s timely stops defined the narrative. For the franchise, the victory provided lasting momentum and added a second Lombardi Trophy to its history. From a competitive standpoint, the game underscored how special-teams execution, red-zone efficiency, and fourth-down decision-making can shape a championship outcome.
As the NFL continues to evolve, Super Bowl LVI remains a benchmark of composure under pressure and illustrates how preparation and execution converge in a one-game playoff. This verified account focuses on documented events and measurable outcomes, offering a clear reference for understanding how the Rams won Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Date: February 13, 2022
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Winning Team: Los Angeles Rams
- Losing Team: Cincinnati Bengals
- Final Score: Rams 23, Bengals 20
- MVP: Cooper Kupp (WR, Rams)
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- Attendance: 70,116
Tags: NFL, Super Bowl, Rams, 2022, verified breakdown