It was loud. Really loud.
If you were inside SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022, the air felt thick with that weird, expensive Los Angeles energy. People remember the celebrities. They remember the Dr. Dre halftime show. Honestly, though? The football was desperate. It wasn't some offensive masterpiece where the Rams super bowl win felt inevitable.
For most of the second half, the Rams looked like a team that had gambled their entire future on a single game and were about to lose it all to a bunch of kids from Ohio. Cincinnati had the lead. They had the momentum. Joe Burrow was doing Joe Burrow things.
Then, everything changed in about six minutes of clock time.
The Matthew Stafford Gamble That Actually Paid Off
Everyone talks about the "all-in" strategy now. General Manager Les Snead famously wore a shirt about draft picks that I can't repeat here. But look at the reality: the Rams traded Jared Goff, two first-rounders, and a third-rounder for Matthew Stafford.
People in Detroit knew he was good. The rest of the world wasn't so sure.
In that final drive, Stafford was basically playing without a functioning run game. The Rams finished the night with 43 rushing yards. That is pathetic for a Super Bowl winner. Cam Akers was hitting a wall every time he touched the ball, averaging 1.6 yards per carry.
Stafford didn't care. He went 26-of-40 for 283 yards and three scores.
You’ve gotta realize how much pressure was on those shoulders. If they lose that game, the Stafford trade is viewed as a failure. The Von Miller trade looks desperate. The Odell Beckham Jr. signing feels like a vanity project. Instead, Stafford drove them 79 yards on 15 plays when it mattered most.
It was ugly, gritty, and perfect.
Why the Rams Super Bowl Win Belongs to Cooper Kupp
When Odell Beckham Jr. went down with that non-contact knee injury in the second quarter, the stadium went quiet. He already had 52 yards and a touchdown. He was shredding the Bengals.
Without him, Cincinnati just bracketed Cooper Kupp. They knew the ball was going to No. 10. We all knew.
Kupp finished the season with the Triple Crown—leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. But his performance in the fourth quarter was something else. On that final game-winning drive, he converted a 4th-and-1 on a jet sweep. If he doesn't get those yards, the Bengals win. Period.
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Then he caught the 1-yard fade for the touchdown with 1:25 left.
He ended the game with 8 catches for 92 yards and two scores. He was the MVP, and honestly, there wasn't a close second on the offensive side. He was the only guy Stafford could trust when the season was on the line.
Aaron Donald and the Defensive Stand
The Bengals had one last chance. Joe Burrow had over a minute to get into field goal range.
If you watch the replay, pay attention to Aaron Donald on the final 4th-and-1. He didn't just rush the passer; he teleported into the backfield. He grabbed Burrow, spun him around, and forced a desperate heave that fell incomplete.
Donald finished with:
- 2 sacks
- 3 solo tackles
- A game-sealing pressure that might be the most iconic play in franchise history.
The Rams defense tied a Super Bowl record with seven sacks. Von Miller had two. Leonard Floyd had one. They essentially bullied the Bengals' offensive line for 60 minutes.
The Legacy of the "F Your Picks" Era
This win changed how NFL front offices operate. For years, the "right" way to build a team was through the draft. The Rams decided that was boring.
They wanted stars. They got Jalen Ramsey. They got Von Miller. They got Stafford.
It worked.
But it was close. If the refs don't call that holding penalty on Logan Wilson late in the fourth, we’re probably talking about the Bengals' first-ever title. That’s the thing about the NFL—the margin between a "genius" strategy and a "disastrous" one is usually about three inches of grass.
Key Stats from Super Bowl LVI
- Final Score: Rams 23, Bengals 20
- Rams Sacks: 7 (Tied Super Bowl record)
- Cooper Kupp: 8 REC, 92 YDS, 2 TD
- Bengals Rushing: Joe Mixon led with 72 yards (plus a passing TD!)
The Rams became the second team in history to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium, following the Bucs the year before. It was a Hollywood ending that almost didn't happen.
If you're looking to understand why this team hasn't quite reached those heights since, look at the cost. They traded the future for the present. Most fans in LA will tell you it was worth every single cent.
What to Watch for Now
If you want to see the ripple effects of this win, look at how teams like the Eagles or the Lions are currently managing their rosters. They aren't afraid to make the "big swing" trade anymore. The Rams provided the blueprint for the aggressive era of the NFL.
For fans wanting to relive the glory, the best move is to watch the "all-22" film of that final drive. It shows exactly how Sean McVay used Cooper Kupp as a decoy to open up space, even when everyone in the world knew he was the target. It's a masterclass in play-calling under pressure.