Super Bowl updates from the Associated Press and NBC4

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — 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 Kupp’s 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 — and their first representing Los Angeles since 1951.

Rams win #SuperBowl LVI over the Bengals 23-20.
Live postgame coverage coming up tonight on NBC4 after the Olympics.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

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 Kupp’s 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.

Great season for the #Bengals. I know it hurts right now, but man this team is on the right track.
Now, GO GET AN OFFENSIVE LINE! #SuperBowl

— Whitney Harding (@WhitneyNBC4) February 14, 2022

Kupp had four receptions for 39 yards on the championship drive.

Even with that brilliant, decisive march to the Lombardi Trophy, it was LA’s “fearsome fivesome” that made the difference. Led by Aaron Donald and Vin 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.

1:25 left for Cincinnati.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

The Bengals have been the best red zone defense in the playoffs this season. They’ll get one more chance with the Rams facing 1st and goal around the 7-yard line inside the 2-minute warning

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) February 14, 2022

4th and 1 they bring Kupp around and he takes the hand off and gets the first down. Vonn Bell read it the whole way just couldn't catch up to Kupp. #SuperBowl

— Whitney Harding (@WhitneyNBC4) February 14, 2022

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The Los Angeles Rams offense has been stuck in neutral since late in the third quarter.

The Rams have rushed for 29 (!) yards today.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

The Rams got within 20-16 of the Cincinnati Bengals on Matt Gay’s 41-yard field goal but have gone three-and-out on three straight possessions. It is the second time in the playoffs the Rams have had three straight three-and-outs, but they had a 14-0 lead over the Arizona Cardinals in the wild-card round when it happened last time.

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The Cincinnati Bengals are minutes away from the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.

That is if the Bengals can keep Joe Burrow upright.

7 sacks.
And now both quarterbacks have limped off the field.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

The Bengals lead the Los Angeles Rams 20-16 through three quarters despite Burrow getting sacked five times in the third alone. It was the first time since at least 2000 that a quarterback has been sacked at least five times in a quarter in the playoffs.

Burrow now has been sacked six times in this game. It’s the fifth time in Burrow’s short career and third time this season he has been sacked at least six times.

Prince just made a bad play worse.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

The No. 1 pick overall of the 2020 draft now has been sacked a record 18 times this postseason, and he has been sacked 69 times all season.

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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has become the sixth player to throw for 6,000 yards in a single season.

He joins Drew Brees, who had 6,404 yards in 2011, Peyton Manning with 6,387 in 2013, Eli Manning had 6,152 and Tom Brady 6,113 in 2011 and Dan Marino with 6,085 in 1984. Stafford needed 209 yards to reach 6,000, and he got that with a 16-yard pass to Brycen Hopkins in the third quarter.

Three plays later, the Rams tried their version of the Philly Special with Cooper Kupp throwing to Stafford. But they didn’t connect, and Matt Gay kicked a 41-yard field goal with 6:02 left in the third. That pulled the Rams within 20-16 of the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Super Bowl 56 has turned in favor of the Cincinnati Bengals with two big plays all in the span of the first 22 seconds of the third quarter.

The Bengals scored a touchdown on their first offensive play of the quarter. Joe Burrow moved to his right and then up before throwing deep to Tee Higgins, who caught the ball as Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey fell. Higgins ran to the end zone to finish off the 75-yard TD for a 17-13 lead.

+TWO in turnovers for the Bengals.
Incredible turn of events.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

On the Rams’ first play to start the next drive, a pass from Matthew Stafford intended for Ben Skowronek bounced to Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie at the Los Angeles 32.

Burrow evading the rush made that happen, and then Higgins just worked over Ramsey.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

Evan McPherson hit a field goal to put the Bengals up 20-13.

Cincinnati Bengals’ rookie kicker Evan McPherson has made two field goals so far in the Super Bowl and is now tied with legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri for most field goals made (14) in a single postseason. https://t.co/1DE2hRQMaO

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) February 14, 2022

That interception gives the Bengals eight this postseason, most since the Green Bay Packers had eight in 2010.

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Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suffered an injury to his left leg on a noncontact play with 3:50 remaining in the second quarter.

Odell Beckham Jr. walks to the locker room after suffering a non-contact injury in the first half of #SuperBowl .https://t.co/cFAm80BngH

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) February 14, 2022

Beckham was running toward the right side of the field on a crossing route, but it appeared as though his foot got caught in the turf. He dropped a pass thrown by Matthew Stafford and clutched his leg as he fell to the turf.

Beckham was looked at by trainers on the field before being helped off. He was looked at briefly in the medical tent on the Rams’ sideline before heading to the locker room.

And there's the pick Cincinnati needs in this game.
They're now +6 in the playoffs in TO margin, and that's their 8th INT of the postseason.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

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The Cincinnati Bengals scored their first touchdown of Super Bowl LVI with a trick play on a throw from running back Joe Mixon to wide receiver Tee Higgins to pull the Bengals within three points of the Los Angles Rams.

Credit to the Bengals offensive line. So far, they've given Burrow some time when he's gone downfield. Mostly they've thrown quicker routes to help them out, but they're fighting up front.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

Running back Joe Mixon got the ball and ran to his right before throwing to a wide-open Tee Higgins in the end zone for a 6-yard TD with 5:47 left.

That capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive by the Bengals that chewed up 7:04 off the clock.

Mixon to Higgins and we have a lot of happy fans in Athens! @nbc4i pic.twitter.com/s0zpHKmuLk

— Eric Halperin (@EricHalperinTV) February 14, 2022

After the extra point, Bengals’ fans celebrated loudly chanting “Who Dey!”

Mixon joined some exclusive company as only the fifth non-quarterback to throw a TD pass in the Super Bowl. He joins Trey Burton for Philadelphia against the Patriots in 2018, Antwaan Randle El in 2006 for Pittsburgh against Seattle, Lawrence McCutcheon in 1980 for the then-St. Louis Rams against the Steelers and Dallas’ Robert Newhouse in 1978 versus Denver.

The Joe Mixon drive ends in him THROWING a TD. 13-10 Rams.
Mixon getting to the edges is a problem for LA. pic.twitter.com/51PFo2wu8Z

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

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Matthew Stafford is off to a nearly perfect start, and the Los Angeles Rams have a 13-3 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Stafford capped a 75-yard drive with an 11-yard TD pass to Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp with 12:51 left in the second quarter. None of the Bengals even touched Kupp coming off the line as he was wide open for his 21st TD catch this season, including the playoffs.

That puts him in exclusive company. Jerry Rice had 22 TDs in both 1987 and 1989. Randy Moss has the NFL record with 24 TD catches in 2007.

Stafford is 9 of 10 for 127 yards and two TD passes. His passer rating is perfect at 158.3.

Stafford is just the second quarterback with a perfect passer rating through four drives of the Super Bowl since 2000. Matt Ryan also was perfect for the Falcons against the Patriots in 2017.

A botched snap by the Rams on the extra point led to a flurry with the Bengals recovering the ball.

Evan “Shooter” McPherson is one field goal shy of tying the playoff record for most field goals made in a single postseason. Adam Vinatieri holds the record with 14

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) February 14, 2022

Easy score for the Rams, to Kupp running across the back of the endzone.
OBJ and Kupp already have touchdowns, and the Bengals are following their pattern against KC.
XP no good, 13-3 LA.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

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The Bengals managed to get on the board in the waning moments of the first quarter Sunday, but start the second trailing the L.A. Rams 13-3.

Money Mac.
7-3 Rams.
Excellent breakup by Ramsey on 3rd down.
McPherson's now 13-13 in the postseason.
Which is good.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

INCREDIBLE pitch and catch to Chase. Watching that ball in the air i thought it had NO chance. Sensational grab.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 14, 2022

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The Rams lit up the scoreboard first on a six-play scoring drive, leading 7-0.

OBJ scores the first TD in the Super Bowl. Hurts doubly for Ohio.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 13, 2022

And Rams go up 7-0 on the #Bengals#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/iPIkfkApd3

— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) February 13, 2022

The Los Angeles Rams have the first score of Super Bowl 56.

Matthew Stafford capped the Rams’ second drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Odell Beckham Jr. with 6:22 left in the first quarter. Beckham caught the ball over Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, then the wide receiver celebrated his TD with a quick moonwalk. Beckham signed with Los Angeles on Nov. 11 after being cut by the Cleveland Browns.

Stafford is 4 of 4 for 47 yards and a 155.2 passer rating to start the game.

The Rams only had to go 50 yards in six plays over 3 minutes, 35 seconds because the defense forced the Bengals to turn the ball over on downs to end Cincinnati’s opening possession.

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After three and out by the Los Angeles Rams, the Cincinnati Bengals will take over at the 35-yard line for the team’s first Super Bowl possession since 1989.

And a nice completion!#SuperBowl https://t.co/nh0cPFTSf1

— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) February 13, 2022

Cincy trusting its interior offensive line is a bold choice.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 13, 2022

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The Bengals picked up their first win of the Super Bowl — the coin toss.

Bengals get their first win of the day…the coin toss.

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) February 13, 2022

The Bengals deferred, choosing to start the game on defense.

Joe Burrow and Vonn Bell, former Ohio State University teammates, represented Cincinnati for the toss.

Vonn Bell and Joe Burrow played at Ohio State together in 2015. Now they’re representing the Cincinnati Bengals in the coin toss for #SuperBowl

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) February 13, 2022

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Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah promised he would play in this Super Bowl, and he is. The tight end who took off the brace around his left knee at a pep rally a week ago in Cincinnati and tossed it back over his head is active for the season finale at SoFi Stadium.

The Rams also confirmed running back Darrell Henderson and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day are active for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles’ home stadium. Rookie running back Jake Funk was inactive to clear a spot for Henderson.

Joseph-Day had pectoral surgery in November, while Henderson hasn’t played since Dec. 26 because of a knee injury.

Kickoff for the 56th championship game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Getting into this Super Bowl at the last minute will mean a big hit to the wallet.

StubHub says the get-in price Sunday was $3,800, a jump of 10% from Saturday, and the average price for tickets sold was $6,136. That’s a dip of 8% from Saturday.

The site still had more than 1,400 tickets available Sunday morning.

Fans from California have bought nearly 40% more tickets over the last 24 hours and also nearly 35% of new tickets sold in that span.

The Cincinnati faithful have been busy with buyers from Ohio accounting for 8% of sales.

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Kickoff at Super Bowl 56 is less than an hour away with both teams warming up on the field at SoFi Stadium.

Joe Burrow is leading the Cincinnati Bengals with Matthew Stafford all decked out in the Rams’ modern throwback white jerseys. This is the first Super Bowl berth for each.

Burrow is the fastest to go from No. 1 overall pick to starting in this game.

Stafford had never won a playoff game before this postseason after the Rams traded for him. Stafford comes in with 49,995 yards passing and 323 TD passes. That’s the most ever for a quarterback making his first Super Bowl appearance. Stafford needs only 209 yards passing to become the sixth player to reach 6,000 in a single season.

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The “Who Dey!” fans are making themselves known inside SoFi Stadium.

The concourses are packed with people with Bengals jerseys and they are outnumbering Rams jerseys by almost a 4-to-1 margin. The most popular jersey is that of Joe Burrow’s No. 9.

The Bengals faithful aren’t waiting for kickoff either. They’re walking around breaking into chants of “Who Dey!” inside the house of their opponent.

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Super Bowl 56 could make history at kickoff before either the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals begin the opening drives.

The temperature two hours before kickoff was 85 degrees with the chance for the gauge to go even higher by the time the ball is kicked off. That would make this the hottest Super Bowl ever, topping the record of 84 set on Jan. 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

California has been dealing with a heat wave with eight locations in the region posting record temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s earlier this week.

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The Cincinnati Bengals are the home team Sunday in the Super Bowl — technically. The home-field advantage belongs all to the Los Angeles Rams.

The NFC champions (15-5) will dress and work out of their usual locker room after spending the night before the big game in their usual hotel. The Rams’ logo is plastered all around and inside SoFi Stadium even with the banners making it clear this is the Super Bowl.

Yes, the Bengals (13-7) are represented inside the stadium with their name and “Who Dey!” mantra opposite the Rams.

This is the second straight Super Bowl where the home team has gotten to play on its own field after Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won a championship a year ago in Raymond James Stadium. Before that, the NFL went 54 years without a team playing a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

With a win, the Bengals would bring Ohio its first Super Bowl trophy. Don’t fret, though — there’s still plenty of time to jump on the Bengals’ bandwagon and become part of the Who Dey Nation. Sunday’s game is the 20th Super Bowl to be broadcast by NBC.