(Photo credit: Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20, to win Super Bowl XLI. It is the team's second championship, and the first since returning to Los Angeles in 2016.
The Rams were officially the 'visiting team' at SoFi Stadium, but became the second straight team to host and win the Lombardi Trophy after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did last season. Big-name-players drafted, and acquired via free agency and trade helped the Rams seal the victory.
Rams receiver Cooper Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP with eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Late in the fourth quarter Kupp converted a fourth down run, then scored the go-ahead touchdown, and his second of the game, to complete the team's 15-play drive with 1:25 remaining - aided by three straight Bengals penalties.
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. caught the first of Matthew Stafford's three touchdowns, but did not return after suffering a knee injury in the first half. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and linebacker Von Miller each collected two of the Rams' seven sacks against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Bengals receiver Tee Higgins caught two touchdown passes - the first on a trick play in the second quarter from running back Joe Mixon, and the next for 75 yards on the first play of the second half. A second Stafford interception set up Evan McPherson's second field goal for a 20-13 lead, but the Bengals did not score again.
The Rams have won two of four Super Bowl appearances - the other as the St. Louis Rams in January 2000. The Bengals have lost all three, but will enter next season as the defending AFC Champions seeking a return.