Blue and gold confetti floated through the air onto the turf, home fans rejoiced as the Los Angeles Rams celebrated becoming NFC Champions, sitting just one win away from hoisting a Lombardi trophy.
The Rams overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter and held the San Francisco 49ers scoreless in the fourth, punching their ticket to Super Bowl LVI in a 20-17 win on Sunday night at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles is set to become the second team in NFL history to “host” a Super Bowl in their home stadium, preparing to next face the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals on Feb. 13.
“To be able to play at home in this house that Stan Kroenke built, this iconic venue, is really unique,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “A little bit easier travel schedule for us since we traveled all over the country during the course of the year … Just so happy with this group. Proud to be associated with it.”
#SuperBowl bound #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/48r7HsJcNo
— Jarred Davis (@Jarreddaviss) January 31, 2022
Matt Gay converted a 30-yard field goal to give the Rams its 20-17 lead with 1:46 to go.
Jimmy Garoppolo had a chance for a game winning drive but was met by Aaron Donald, who forced the San Francisco quarterback to fling an inaccurate pass that ended up in the hands of Rams linebacker Travin Howard for the game sealing interception with 1:09 remaining.
“I thought we had them on the ropes. Still have to make the plays, still have to get it done,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We came up short on that.”
Matthew Stafford finished 31-of-45 for 337 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception that took place early in the first off a tipped ball intended for Cooper Kupp.
“I feel blessed to be able to play in this league for long as I have,” Stafford said. “But I sure am happy for this opportunity, for not only myself, but really so many guys in that locker room that deserve this.”
His favorite target in Kupp had 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns while Odell Beckham Jr. caught nine passes for 113 yards in his 10th game as a Ram.
“I think it’s a great sign of the stars shining the brightest when they needed to and then also guys stepping up when they were asked to,” McVay said.
#OBJ on facing the #49ers again after losing in Week 18.
“I keep saying I really believe in Gods plan..the story could not be written any better for us to play them in the NFC Championship and shut the door.”#ramsvs49ers #NFCChampionship #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/CbMR8VWhpW
— Jarred Davis (@Jarreddaviss) January 31, 2022
Stafford connected with Kupp on a 16-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter and an 11-yard score in the fourth to get within three, 14-17 with 13:30 left in the final period.
Deebo Samuel responded to the Rams’ score with a 44-yard touchdown of his own off a screen pass from Garoppolo to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the second.
“We have no chance of being here without Cooper Kupp,” McVay said of the team’s leading receiver.
The Rams were able to avenge six straight losses to the 49ers, the most recent being an overtime game where San Francisco was able to turn a 17-point deficit into a 27-24 victory in Week 18.
“I keep saying I really believe in God’s plan…the story could not be written any better for us to play them in the NFC Championship and shut the door,” Beckham Jr. said.
“The previous six games where we didn’t find a way to finish had nothing to do with what’s going to occur at 3:30 or 3:40 when we kick this thing off. Those are separate entities,” McVay said. “Our guys did a great job of continuing to compartmentalize. We always talk about being totally and completely present, having a short memory for good and bad. Being able to hit that reset button. I thought our guys did that in a big way.”
San Francisco led 10-7 at halftime, as Garoppolo threw a 16-yard touchdown to tight end George Kittle to take a 10-point advantage with less than two minutes remaining in the third but it was Los Angeles who went on to outscore the 49ers 13-0 in fourth thanks to a Kupp score and two field goals by Gay.
“Football is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” Kittle said. “And sometimes you just get kicked below the belt.”
Los Angeles will play in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in franchise history and the second time in five seasons.
“Everything about this place is right, and it’s done right,” Beckham said. “It’s just been an incredible opportunity that I feel like I’m just trying to make the most of. Here we are playing in the Super Bowl, one game away from our dreams. Just keep going.”
