INGLEWOOD — For generations of Los Angeles Rams fans, it was a dream. For owner Stan Kroenke, it was a blueprint. For general manager Les Snead, it was a gamble. For coach Sean McVay, it was a game plan. For players like Aaron Donald, it was a bucket-list goal.
At precisely 7 p.m. Sunday, it became real.
The L.A. Rams are Super Bowl champions.
Aaron Donald, right, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with Jalen Ramsey, left, after the Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Rams players celebrate with the trophy after the Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Rams Aaron Donald (99), Nick Scott (33), and Greg Gaines (91)celebrate after stopping Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 to give the Rams a 23-20 win. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Cooper Kupp, left, and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate after the Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Rams swarm the field after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 to win Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams Aaron Donald pressures Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow into an incompletion on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams Aaron Donald celebrates after stopping Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 to give the Rams a 23-20 win. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, left, of the Los Angeles Rams catches a one-yard touchdown catch against cornerback Eli Apple (20) of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rams players mob Cooper Kupp after catching the game winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 as the Bengals Eli Apple (20) walks away. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Linebacker Ernest Jones, center, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after sacking quarterback Joe Burrow, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Liinebacker Ernest Jones, right, of the Los Angeles Rams of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback Joe Burrow, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Van Jefferson, lett, of the Los Angeles Rams misses on a long pass under pressure from cornerback Eli Apple of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Rams Von Miller (40) sacks Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals runs in for a 75-yard touchdown catch and run against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals throws for a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a 75-yard touchdown pass as cornerback Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams falls to the turf during the third quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after an injury during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals fades back to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, left, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with offensive tackle Rob Havenstein after catching an 11-yard touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after catching an 11-yard touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by the Bengals D.J. Reader (98) during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by the Bengals D.J. Reader (98) during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams Aaron Donald tackles Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams Aaron Donald tackles Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Bengals Tee Higgins (left) and Joe Mixon (28) celebrate after scoring during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 to give Cincinnati a 17-13 lead over the Rams. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald, left, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with linebacker Leonard Floyd, after Floyd sacks quarterback Joe Burrow, not pictured, of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Joe Burrow, center, of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass under pressure during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Free safety Jessie Bates, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass intended for wide receiver Van Jefferson, not pictured, of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Free safety Jessie Bates, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Van Jefferson of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Free safety Jessie Bates, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Van Jefferson of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams throws downfield during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams calls out a play during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Darrell Henderson, left, of the Los Angeles Rams runs into cornerback Chidobe Awuzie of the Cincinnati Bengals, on a 25-yard catch and run, during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams reacts and salutes after a first down on a 35-yard catch and run against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Darrell Henderson, right, of the Los Angeles Rams gets pulled down by defensive end Khalid Kareem of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrows (middle) is tackled by the Rams Greg Gaines (91) and Leonard Floyd (54) during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) intercepts a Matthew Stafford pass in the end zone intended for Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., left, of the Los Angeles Rams gets pushed out-of-bounds by cornerback Eli Apple of the Cincinnati Bengals, after a 35-yard catch and run, during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after the defense stops Cincinnati Bengals for an incomplete pass to force a field goal during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bengals wide receiver wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) hauls in a 6-yard touchdown pass thrown by Bengals running back Joe Mixon as Rams safety Nick Scott (33) defends during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) is tackled by the Rams Eric Weddle (20) during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Rams defense stops running back Joe Mixon, center, of the Cincinnati Bengals for no gain on a pass play during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., left, of the Los Angeles Rams catches a 17-yard touchdown pass against cornerback Mike Hilton of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, above of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles away from defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin, left, of the Cincinnati Bengals for a seven-yard gain during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, above of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles away from defensive end Sam Hubbard of the Cincinnati Bengals for a seven-yard gain during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., left, of the Los Angeles Rams catches a 17-yard touchdown pass against cornerback Mike Hilton of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) kicks a 29-yard field goal during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Bengals Trent Taylor (11) looks for running room as Rams defenders move in to make the tackle during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) makes a one handed reception as Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) defends during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams Odell Beckham Jr. (3) catches a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford as Cincinnati’s Mike Hilton (21) defends to give the Rams a 7-0 first quarter lead during Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams Odell Beckham Jr. (3) in congratulated after catching a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to give the Rams a 7-0 first quarter lead over Cincinnati during Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Running back Cam Akers, center, of the Los Angeles Rams gets stopped by cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, left, and linebacker Logan Wilson of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, right, of the Los Angeles Rams throws over cornerback Mike Hilton of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Cam Akers, center, of the Los Angeles Rams splits between linebacker Logan Wilson, left, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Rams running back Cam Akers (23) is tackled by a Bengals defender during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mickey Guyton performs the national anthem prior to Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Donte’ Deayon (21) of the Los Angeles Rams leads the team onto the field before the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald (99) and nose tackle Greg Gaines (91) of the Los Angeles Rams lead the defensive team onto the field before the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, on Sunday, February 13, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Los Angeles Rams take the field prior to Super Bowl LVI NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
It came true in a dramatic and fitting way, with quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cooper Kupp to give the Rams the lead over the Cincinnati Bengals with 1:25 to play.
The defense finished the job in equally trademark fashion, with Donald pressuring Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow into an incomplete pass on fourth and 1 near midfield to clinch the 23-20 victory in front of 70,048 fans.
After Stafford kneeled to run out the last 39 seconds of the 35th fourth-quarter comeback of his career, Rams players and coaches surged off the sideline to celebrate in a cloud of confetti.
“For the offense to be able to find a way, and then Aaron to be able to finish it off, it’s poetic,” said Rams coach Sean McVay.
Kupp was named Most Valuable Player of the game.
The game had been like the Rams’ season, brilliant to begin with, worrisome in the middle, as good as it could be at the end.
The game changed the first time on the first two plays of the second half.
Trailing 13-10, the Bengals took the lead for the first time on a first-down pass play from Burrow to Tee Higgins covering 75 yards.
TV replays showed Higgins grabbing Jalen Ramsey by the face mask, pulling down the All-Pro cornerback as they fought for the ball. Higgins caught it at about the Rams’ 35 and was untouched to the end zone. The Bengals were up 17-13.
The no-call of a face-mask penalty couldn’t be reviewed, by NFL rules.
On the next snap, Stafford threw to Ben Skowronek, who was replacing injured Odell Beckham Jr. The ball glanced off the rookie’s hands and straight to safety Jessie Bates. The Bengals had the ball at the Rams’ 31.
The damage from Stafford’s second interception of the day was limited by two sacks by Donald, among the Rams’ seven sacks of Burrow, forcing a field goal that put the Bengals up 20-13.
It turned into an exchange of field goals when a third-down trick play resulted in an overthrown pass from Cooper Kupp to Stafford, and it was Bengals 20, Rams 16.
Two quarterbacks respected by their teams for clutch, late-game performances had 21 minutes to show the world.
The game kicked off on an 82-degree afternoon with the Bengals seeking their first Super Bowl victory on their third try, and the Rams seeking their first Super Bowl win as an L.A. team after winning one in their St. Louis years and two mid-century NFL championships.
The Rams had extra incentive to win at their home stadium, built at a cost of $5 billion by Kroenke, and to do it in the season Snead went “all in” by acquiring Stafford and adding Beckham and linebacker Von Miller in a show of urgency.
The game went the Rams’ way early.
The defense held the Bengals without a first down on their first two series, rookie linebacker Ernest Jones deflecting Joe Burrow’s pass on fourth and 1 at the Rams’ 49.
Stafford took advantage of the field position, hitting Kupp for a 20-yard catch and run into the red zone, and then throwing a perfect pass to Beckham behind a Cincinnati cornerback in the right corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown.
The defense gave up a 46-yard pass from Burrow to rookie Ja’Marr Chase, who got behind Ramsey and took the Bengals to the Rams’ 11. But then it tightened, with Von Miller deflecting a pass and Ramsey breaking up a third-down pass at the goal line. Evan McPherson’s 29-yard field goal cut the lead to 7-3.
The Rams quickly went 75 yards. Beckham took a pass 35 yards into Bengals territory, and Darrell Henderson came out of the backfield to catch a 25-yarder up the left sideline. On second down from the 11, Stafford and Kupp made it look easy, play-action helping the NFL’s leading receiver get open crossing left to right in the end zone.It was 13-3 after a messed-up exchange from long snapper Matt Orzech to holder Johnny Hekker kept Matt Gay from trying the extra point.
Hoping to slow down Bengals running back Joe Mixon and mount a rush on the often-sacked Burrow, the Rams’ defense did neither often in the first half.
After the Kupp touchdown, the Bengals marched 75 yards in 12 plays, most of them involving Mixon. He carried and caught passes to help Cincinnati get inside the Rams’ 10. Then he took a pitch from Burrow and threw a pass to Tee Higgins, who got away from Nick Scott in the right corner of the end zone.
That made it a game at halftime, Rams 13, Bengals 10.
Ahead on the scoreboard, the Rams were down in the injury tent, Beckham having been helped off the field after quickly grabbing his left knee as he dropped a pass over the middle without being hit.