LOS ANGELES — After Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. went down to a knee injury in the first half after two receptions for 52-yards with one touchdown, the offense needed to find other ways to move the ball down the field. Even with the injury, the star-studded Rams roster was too good to lose this opportunity.

In the 2021 NFL off-season the Rams traded former quarterback Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions for star QB Matthew Stafford. Before the 2021 trade deadline ended the Rams traded for star linebacker Von Miller from the Denver Broncos. After the Cleveland Browns cut Odell Beckham Jr. in November, the Rams signed him due to an injury from receiver Robert Woods.

The first half ended in a Rams lead 13-10, Beckham Jr. scored the first touchdown of the game with a17-yard reception in the right side of the endzone (Matt Gay made PAT). 

The Bengals responded with a 29-yard field goal from Evan McPherson, cutting the lead to 7-3. 

In the second quarter Rams receiver Cooper Kupp caught a 11-yard touchdown in the right side of the endzone (2pt attempt failed). 

The Bengals scored last in the first half off a pitch play to running back Joe Mixon who then passed to the back of the endzone to receiver Tee Higgins (Evan McPherson made PAT).

The Bengals came out hot out of halftime with a one-play 75-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins from Joe Burrow, taking their first lead of the game 13-17.

On the Rams first play of offense in the second half Stafford threw an interception off a tipped pass, giving the Bengals the ball at the Rams 31-yard line.

With the Bengals good field position they ended their drive by extending the lead 20-13 from a 38-yard field goal from Evan McPherson.

The Rams offensive struggle continued to go on, the loss of Beckham Jr. looked to really throw the offense off. The attention on Kupp in the first half allowed Beckham Jr. to free himself up and get some catches. Since Beckham was downgraded to doubtful at halftime, Bengals defense was relieved from his success, putting more pressure on the other guys within the Rams offense.

In the third quarter the Rams cut the lead to 16-20 by a Matt Gay field goal from 41-yards out. 

For the next 15 minutes of play both teams’ offenses seemed to struggle not putting up any points within this time. 

 With 6:13 left in the fourth quarter the Rams received the ball from a Bengals punt at their own 21-yard line. With the inability to move the ball in the second half Stafford knew he needed to have a big drive and get the ball to his best player Cooper Kupp.

 On fourth and one at the Rams own 31-yard line, head coach Sean McVay (youngest head coach in modern NFL history) called for an end-around play for Cooper Kupp, which he avoided being tackled completing the fourth down. 

Later in the drive, on third and goal at the Bengals 8-yard line, Stafford threw to Cooper Kupp just short of a touchdown but was dropped due to a Holding call on Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, putting the ball at the 4-yard line on first and goal. 

The next play was a touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp but was taken back by penalties from both teams, forcing the Rams to replay first and goal at the four. On the replay Bengals corner Eli Apple was called for a Pass Interference call putting the ball at the 1-yard line on first and goal.

The drive ended after 15 plays and a Cooper Kupp receiving touchdown in the right side of the endzone (Matt Gay made PAT), giving the Rams the lead 23-20 with 1:29 on the clock.

The Bengals got the ball back and immediately went to Ja’Marr Chase for a 17-yard reception, putting the ball at the Bengals 42-yard line.

On third and one at the Rams 49-yard line Bengals running back looked like he had an easy first down but was wrapped up by Rams superstar Aaron Donald stopping him short and forcing fourth and one. 

McVay was seen saying “Aaron Donald’s going to make a play,” according to CBS Sports.

On fourth and one the ball was snapped to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and was immediately pressured by Donald forcing him to throw an off balance throw that hit the ground giving the ball back to the Rams with 39 seconds remaining in the Super Bowl.

The Rams kneel the ball and let the clock run out “crowning” the Los Angeles Rams as Super Bowl LVI champions.

Burrow was sacked seven times tying a Super Bowl record.

Kupp was announced after the game as Super Bowl LVI MVP, after leading the Rams with eight receptions for 92 yards and making big plays towards the end of the game.

Stafford ended with 283 yards and three touchdowns, Beckham Jr. contributed with 2 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown, both Von Miller and Aaron Donald ended with two sacks.