The Los Angeles Rams will become just the second team ever to contest a home Super Bowl on February 13
(Picture: Getty Images)The Los Angeles Rams will contest a home Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals after a thrilling Championship Sunday in the NFL.
The Rams will compete for a first title since 1999 in the familiar surroundings of their multi-billion dollar SoFi Stadium at Super Bowl LVI on February 13 after overcoming a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the San Francisco 49ers last night.
A second touchdown connection between quarterback Matthew Stafford and star wide receiver Cooper Kupp brought Sean McVay’s team back to 17-14 before Pro Bowler Matt Gay kicked two field goals and the defensive unit stepped up with a late interception of Jimmy Garoppolo by linebacker Travin Howard to secure a 20-17 triumph and a second NFC title in four years.
Earlier touchdowns from dual-threat playmaker Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle had looked to put the 49ers on course for a third win of the season over their NFC West rivals.
The Rams will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the Super Bowl in the 21st century, having twice been bested by the New England Patriots in the big game, the last time in a drab 13-3 loss in Atlanta in 2019.
“You can’t write the story any better,” Stafford said. “I’m at a loss for words. I’m just having a blast playing ball with these guys and, shoot, we’ve got one more at the home stadium. Let’s get it done.”
The Rams will face the Bengals next after Cincinnati produced an extraordinary comeback to topple the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Rookie kicker Evan McPherson stepped up to nail another crucial game-winner from 31 yards in overtime as the Bengals clinched their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.
Zac Taylor’s men trailed by 18 points after Patrick Mahomes touchdown passes to Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman, but quarterback Joe Burrow later hit Samaje Perine for a 41-yard score as well as a short touchdown pass to rookie sensation Ja’Marr Chase and forced overtime with a crucial two-point conversion to Trent Taylor.
“It’s just so surreal that this game came down to a field goal,” McPherson said. “This whole week’s been awesome. It’s been, you know, surreal just all the attention me and the team have gotten. It’s been coming this whole year.
“I think we’ve kind of pushed that underdog narrative to the side, showing everybody that the Bengals are here to stay. We mean business, and whoever you put out there on the field against us we’re going to compete and do the best we can.”
