For the second time in as many years, the home team celebrated a Super Bowl victory when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI.
The most watched Super Bowl in five years saw an average viewership of 112.3 million.
After pulling ahead early with a 13-3 lead in the second quarter, the Rams looked ready to control the game before an injury to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. seemed to steal the momentum to the Bengals’ side.
The Bengals would struggle throughout the game on offense, but started to find their rhythm on offense shortly before half, when running back Joe Mixon connected with wide receiver Tee Higgins on a six-yard touchdown pass, and entered the locker room down 13-10.
The teams took to the field to start the second half following a star studded halftime performance that gave a nod to west coast hip-hop and included Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Anderson Paak.
The first play of the third quarter looked like it was starting to spell trouble for the Rams when Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow found WR Tee Higgins for a 75 yard touchdown to take their first lead of the night, and one they would hold until the closing minutes.
It was in the fourth quarter when things became apparent. This was why the Rams traded for quarterback Matt Stafford.
Stafford, who has spent his career playing for the Detroit Lions since being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, finally had his chance to silence critics and those that considered him a bust. The trade was met with excitement by Rams’ fans and sadness by Lions’ fans, but one thing was certain, everyone familiar with his story was rooting for him
With 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, Stafford led the Rams down the field all the way from their own 21 yard line and put them in position to win a Super Bowl, and win is what they did. Stafford found l Offensive Player of the Year and eventual Super Bowl MVP, wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a short yard pass to seal the victory 23-20.
Stafford would finish the day 26/40, 283 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Kupp finished his MVP game with 8 receptions, 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Bengals’ quarterback Burrow finished 22/33, 263 passing yards and 1 touchdown. WR Higgins ended his game with four receptions and 100 yards with two touchdowns.
