The Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.
The mysterious game ended with a fourth-down stop by the Rams' defensive tackle Aaron Donald and it all won. The big game took place at Sophie Stadium in Inglewood, California, and was the second time in Super Bowl history that a team played at its home ground. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the first team to do so, last year at Raymond James Stadium.
"I'm so happy, I wanted it so bad. I dreamed it, man. I dreamed it and it's like real," Donald said with tears in his eyes after the win. "It's the best feeling in the world. God is great."
Quarterback Matthew Stafford said he was proud of the team.
"We have a lot of people on our team who deserve it," Stafford said.
The Rams controlled much of the first half, with receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp scoring the first two touchdowns of the day. The Bengals responded with a trick play late in the second quarter that resulted in a touchdown and an interception by safety Jesse Bates III.
Beckham - one of the premier Rams receivers - left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury, according to the Rams' official Twitter account.
A Bengals touchdown and interception changed the pace within the first 22 seconds of the second half. Receiver T Higgins caught a 75-yard touchdown in the first 12 seconds of the half, and 10 seconds later, cornerback Chidob Ouzie pulled out a pass from Stafford.
The fourth quarter began with uncertainty over who would leave the game victorious, but it all came to a halt in the last two minutes. After a long drive that included 15 plays - four runs and 10 passes - Kupp scored a crucial touchdown, giving the Rams a three-point lead. The Bengals had a chance to respond, but were unable to convert in fourth place, ending the game.
Kupp — who had eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns — was named Super Bowl MVP on Sunday. Kupp was also named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday.
The Rams came into the Super Bowl to redeem themselves after losing the big game against the New England Patriots in 2019. According to the NFL, head coach Sean McVay in that game made the youngest Super Bowl debut to coach a team in the Super Bowl.
Stafford also had something to prove. It was his first season with the Rams after playing his first 12 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. McVay said a few weeks ago that without Stafford's leadership the team would not be where it is today.
The Rams reinvented themselves as "Hollywood's team" after returning from St. Louis to the City of Angels in 2016. Between Los Angeles and St. Louis, the Rams have made five Super Bowl appearances, with their only other championship win in 2000 in Super Bowl XXXIV.