In a venue built for champions, the Los Angeles Rams carried off the crown jewel: a Super Bowl trophy.
It took a precise 79-yard drive capped by Cooper KuppB次元官网网址檚 1-yard touchdown reception with 1:25 remaining for a 23-20 victory Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals to give the Rams their first NFL title since the 1999 season B次元官网网址� and their first representing Los Angeles since 1951.
They did it in their home, the $5 billion SoFi Stadium, making the Rams the second consecutive host to win the championship after Tampa Bay became the first a year ago.
The winning series, during which game MVP KuppB次元官网网址檚 4-yard touchdown reception was negated by offsetting penalties, ended soon after with the NFL Offensive Player of the Year easily beating Eli Apple in the right corner of the end zone for the winning score.
COOPER KUPP FOR THE LEAD!
B次元官网网址� Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL)
馃摵: on NBC
Kupp had four receptions for 39 yards, and a 7-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Rams 30 on the championship drive.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 feel deserving of this,B次元官网网址� Kupp said. B次元官网网址淭he guys standing here challenged me, they pushed me. I am just so grateful.B次元官网网址�
Even with that brilliant, decisive march to the Lombardi Trophy, it was LAB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渇earsome fivesomeB次元官网网址� that made the difference. Led by Aaron Donald and Von Miller, they sacked Joe Burrow a Super Bowl record-tying seven times, shutting down the Cincinnati offense after a 22-second spurt to start the second half gave the Bengals the lead.
Fittingly, Burrow was under pressure on fourth-and-1 and threw incomplete, setting off a football fiesta this city has not seen since the LA Raiders won the 1983 championship.
The 10 quick points at the outset of the third quarter put Cincinnati ahead for the first time. Tee HigginsB次元官网网址� 75-yard score made it 17-13 and was followed one play later by Chidobe AwuzieB次元官网网址檚 pick. Evan McPherson tied Adam VinatieriB次元官网网址檚 postseason record with his 14th field goal, a 38-yarder.
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Higgins beat All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the first play of the second half B次元官网网址� the receiver clearly tugged RamseyB次元官网网址檚 face mask on the play. After Matthew Stafford was intercepted on the next play, the Bengals got McPhersonB次元官网网址檚 field goal.
Then they tried to hold on as all of southwest Ohio held its breath.
But LAB次元官网网址檚 relentless pass rush, led by its two biggest stars, Donald and Miller with two apiece, allowed nothing more.
Then came the 15-play march in which Kupp also converted the fourth down with his run.
Kupp even earned the MVP honour despite often being double-teamed after fellow wideout Odell Beckham Jr. went out with a knee injury in the second period.
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