For 12 long years, Matthew Stafford never had the opportunity to take his team down the field for “the drive.” 12 seasons in Detroit, three playoff appearances, zero playoff victories.
The decision to head to the Los Angeles Rams during the offseason was made with one thing in mind — championships. On Sunday, Stafford finally got his opportunity to lead his team down the field for a ring, and the former number one overall pick came through.
Aided by multiple penalties on the Cincinnati defense, Stafford led the Rams on a 15-play, 79-yard drive, capped off by a one-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Cooper Kupp with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter to win Super Bowl LVI 23-20.
COOPER KUPP FOR THE LEAD!
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/vhHjVNRsnC— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
Without the services of Odell Beckham Jr., forced to exit the game in the second quarter with a knee injury, it was the connection between Stafford and Kupp which gave the Rams their first Super Bowl in Los Angeles.
The Rams force-fed Kupp, getting him five touches on the Super Bowl winning drive.
“That’s hard work,” Stafford said when asked about his connection with Kupp. “That’s hours together … [Sean McVay] kept calling plays for him, kept finding ways to get him the ball. He made unbelievable plays. That’s what he does.”
“Such a great game,” Stafford added.
Super Bowl LVI was going to come down to one matchup. The leaky Cincinnati Bengals offensive line versus the Los Angeles Rams vaunted defensive front.
Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and Von Miller were going to get pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. But it was a matter of whether Burrow could do what he has all postseason long — making just enough plays while under duress.
Burrow was sacked seven times on the night, and on a fourth-and-one from the Rams 49-yard line with 0:43 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Donald made the play of his career.
AARON FRICKIN' DONALD.#RAMSHOUSE #SBLVI pic.twitter.com/KbmZYWmjN9
— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
“One last play to be world champs, give it everything you got,” Donald said when asked about the fourth down play. “I found a way to get to him [Burrow]. We made a play and we won.”
Cincinnati entered halftime of the Super Bowl down 13-10, and much like their performance in the AFC Championship Game, looked like they were once again going to complete the comeback.
The first two plays of the second half quickly flipped the script, touched off with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tee Higgins on the first play of the second half.
Burrow to Higgins for 75 yards and the @Bengals have the lead! #RuleItAll
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/lTfM3W8nyA— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
On the very next play, Stafford threw his second interception of the game, giving the Bengals the ball at the LA 31-yard line.
What a start to the half for the @Bengals! #RuleItAll
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/Nj7ftyB3GU— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
Cincinnati tacked on a field goal to stretch their lead to 20-13.
Even though Beckham Jr. was only unable to go in the second half, his contribution was no small matter.
Halfway through the 2021 regular season, the Cleveland Browns parted ways with Beckham, allowing the star wide receiver to sign with Los Angeles. He found a home with the Rams, catching 19 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown in the Rams playoff run to the Super Bowl. Beckham quickly added to his playoff statistics on Sunday.
On the Rams’ second possession of the game, Stafford connected with Beckham for a 17-yard touchdown, putting the Rams up 7-0.
.@OBJ doing what he does on the biggest stage. #RamsHouse
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/xPx5eHrG6j— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022
Cincinnati responded with a first-quarter field goal from kicker Evan McPherson — perfect in his first postseason — following a spectacular one-handed 46-yard grab from Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase.
BURROW TO CHASE. INCREDIBLE. #RuleItAll
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/9GTKEeuqV2— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
Burrow finished the night with 263 yards through the air, completing 22-33 passes with one touchdown. The Rams were able to contain Chase for most of the night, grabbing five balls for 89 yards.
Stafford threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns, completing eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns to Kupp.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].
The Daily Wire’s first original film, Shut In, has made its cinematic debut, being met with rave reviews. The Daily Wire is building an alternative to the leftist entertainment industry, one gripping movie at a time. Join us in this mission and stream Shut In today by becoming a Daily Wire member.