Rams and Bengals advance to Super Bowl LVI

By Mike Hayes, Jason Kurtz and Karl de Vries, CNN

Updated 10:49 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022
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10:46 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Rams come back to beat 49ers and will host Bengals in Super Bowl LVI

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

For the second time in four years, the Rams are headed to the Super Bowl.

Led by Matthew Stafford under center and a run-stopping defense, the Rams closed the NFC Championship Game with 13 unanswered points to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 20-17.

Up next are the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on February 13.

Stafford, who threw for 337 yards, took over with 6:49 to play in a 17-17 ballgame. He calmly marched the ball down the length of the field, hitting all five of his pass attempts on the drive and setting up kicker Matt Gay for the eventual game-winning field goal from 30 yards out.

The Rams, who had trailed by 10 points at one point in the 4th quarter, cemented the victory by forcing 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo into a game-clinching interception. Facing pressure from elite pass rusher Aaron Donald, Garoppolo was forced out of the pocket and slung an ill-advised pass attempt toward running back JaMycal Hasty. Hasty was unable to corral the wild toss and it ultimately bounced into the waiting arms of Rams linebacker Travin Howard, ending San Francisco's attack and crowning the Rams NFC champs.

Los Angeles got another monster game from star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who caught 11 balls for 142 yards and hauled in both of Stafford's TD tosses. Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was also fantastic in the Rams' passing game, finishing with nine catches and 142 yards. LA's defense, meanwhile, limited San Francisco to just 50 yards rushing.

Throughout much of the game, the Rams seemed to be controlling the action, despite trailing on the scoreboard at halftime (10-7) and following the third quarter (17-7). They dominated time of possession (35:39 to 24:21), outgained the 49ers 396 yards to 282, and secured more first downs (25 to 16).

The win snaps what had been six straight head-to-head victories by San Francisco against Los Angels, and sends head coach Sean McVay and the Rams back to the Super Bowl. In 2019, LA fell 13-3 to Tom Brady and the Patriots in what remains the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history.

This year's game, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on February 13, will mark the second time in as many years that the Super Bowl will be played on the home field of one of the participants. A year ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium.

9:50 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Rams defeat 49ers to win Super Bowl berth

From CNN's Mike Hayes

Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts in the final moments of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, in Inglewood, California.
Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts in the final moments of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Under pressure on the 3rd and 13 from his 22-yard line, 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw one up for grabs that ended up in the hands of the Rams' Travin Howard.

The interception sealed the victory for Los Angeles, 20-17.

The Rams will face the Cincinnati Bengals in two weeks in Super Bowl LVI on February 13.

9:36 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Rams take 20-17 lead late in the 4th quarter

From CNN's Mike Hayes

The Rams are now in front, 20-17, with 1:46 left to play after kicker Matt Gay connected from 30 yards to take the lead.

On a critical 3rd down with three yards to go from the 49ers' 37-yard line, quarterback Matthew Stafford found his favorite target, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, on a short pass over the middle.

Kupp cut through the San Francisco secondary to pick up 25 yards before being downed at the 12-yard line. A Stafford sack pushed the Rams back to the 20-yard line and forced 3rd and 18. Stafford found Kupp again but he couldn't pick up the yardage, forcing the field goal attempt.

Kupp leads all Rams receivers with 11 receptions for 142 yards.

9:30 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

A flubbed interception helps Rams tie it up

From CNN's Mike Hayes

Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Jimmie Ward #1 and Talanoa Hufanga #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter during the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, in Inglewood, California.
Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Jimmie Ward #1 and Talanoa Hufanga #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter during the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

We're all tied up with just 6:49 left on the clock after a Matt Gay 40-yard field goal knotted the NFC Championship Game at 17.

Earlier in the possession, Niners safety Jaquiski Tartt let an easy interception slip through his hands. Then, on the next play, Rams QB Matthew Stafford connected with Odell Beckham for a 29-yard pass. The refs tacked on another 15 yards because of a Jimmie Ward unnecessary roughness penalty for helmet-to-helmet contact.

9:12 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Rams lose challenge and now have no timeouts left

From CNN's Mike Hayes

Rams coach Sean McVay challenged the ruling on the field that 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk was down before he lost the ball on a 3rd down run.

The ruling on the field was upheld, and because McVay's challenge failed, the Rams lost a timeout. They're now left with no timeouts with 10 minutes still left on the game clock in the 4th.

9:07 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Stafford again connects with Kupp as Rams creep closer

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass against D.J. Jones #93 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter during the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, in Inglewood, California.
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass against D.J. Jones #93 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter during the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, in Inglewood, California. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It's shaping up to be yet another 2022 NFL postseason nail-biter.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford found receiver Cooper Kupp for the second time tonight, this one from 11 yards out, for a touchdown to narrow the score to 17-14 49ers.

One thing to watch: The Rams are down to their final timeout, but the 49ers have all three of theirs.

8:49 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Three big stops and a touchdown give Niners 17-7 lead

From CNN's Mike Hayes

The Rams had 2nd and 1 to go for the first down in 49ers' territory. But the Niners' D came up with three big stops — including on a Matthew Stafford quarterback sneak on 4th down with less than a yard to go — to force a turnover on downs.

That allowed San Francisco to take over near midfield on their own 43-yard line, and soon after, Jimmy Garoppolo found George Kittle in the end zone from 16 yards out to make it a two-possession game.

It's now 17-7 49ers late in the 3rd quarter.

8:34 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

Rams winning everywhere except on the scoreboard

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) runs against San Francisco 49ers' Ambry Thomas on Sunday.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) runs against San Francisco 49ers' Ambry Thomas on Sunday. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Early in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers are clinging to a thin three-point lead, 10-7.

However, on every place other than the scoreboard, the Rams are clearly in control.

Here are some key stats midway through the 3rd quarter:

  • Time of possession: LA 23:03, SF 13:52
  • Total plays: LA 48, SF 28
  • First downs: LA 16, SF 10
  • Total yards: LA 245, SF 186

8:04 p.m. ET, January 30, 2022

49ers take the lead heading into the half

From CNN's Mike Hayes

49ers kicker Robbie Gould kicked a 38-yard field goal to give his team the lead heading into halftime.

The kick capped an eight-play, 36-yard drive after the Niners took over with good field position late in the second quarter.

It's 10-7 San Francisco. The 49ers will get the ball back after the break.