Who Played Super Bowl 2022: The Teams That Met on the Biggest Stage
The Setup: A Matchup Nobody Expected
Nobody saw this coming. The Cincinnati Bengals faced the Los Angeles Rams on February 13, 2022. It was a clash of momentum versus pedigree. The Bengals arrived as a young, hungry team finally shedding their decade-long mediocrity. The Rams brought Hollywood star power and a seasoned veteran core. The venue? State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and who played super bowl 2022.
The path to the big game was brutal for both sides. Cincinnati had to survive a high-octane wildcard drama against the Las Vegas Raiders. They then dismantled a top-seeded Bills team in the divisional round. A stunning comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs sent them to the title game.
Los Angeles took a different route. They bullied the Arizona Cardinals in the wild card. Then, they ground out a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A dominant defensive performance against the San Francisco 49ers booked their spot.
The Contenders: Star Power vs. Youthful Fury
The rosters told two different stories. The Rams leaned on Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald. This trio formed the offensive and defensive spine of a team built to win immediately. Stafford had found his perfect weapon in Kupp during the second half of the season. Donald terrorized quarterbacks with his motor and technique.
The Bengals relied on a rookie quarterback who refused to break. Joe Burrow showed ice in his veins. He engineered back-to-back fourth-quarter drives to win the conference championship games. Ja'Marr Chase provided a deep threat that tormented secondaries all year long.
The Final Whistle: A Championship for the Ages
The game itself defied expectations. It was a back-and-forth shootout that punished both offenses. Cincinnati built a lead, but Los Angeles answered every score. The Rams tied it up with just over a minute left in regulation. Stafford connected with Kupp to set up the tying field goal.
Then came the overtime period. The coin toss gave the Rams possession first. They drove down the field methodically. Matt Gay kicked a field goal. Los Angeles led 23-20.
Cincinnati got the ball back with a chance. Burrow marched the Bengals down the field. The drive stalled, but they set up a critical field goal. Evan McPhee booted it through the uprights. The score was tied again. 23-23.
Overtime started again for the Rams. Their offense moved steadily into field goal range. But disaster struck. Defensive back Jalen Ramsey missed a tackle on a screen pass. The Bengals converted. They set up a short field. McPhee kicked another field goal. The Bengals won 23-20.
What This Win Meant for Cincinnati
This championship erased a painful history. The franchise had not won a title since Super Bowl XVI in 1981. A generation of fans had given up hope. Burrow and the offense brought that joy back to Riverfront Stadium.
Joe Burrow hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy with pure elation. He had survived injuries and doubters to reach this moment. The young quarterback proved he could lead a team in the biggest pressure cooker in sports.
Looking Back at the Los Angeles Rams
The Rams left Arizona with a heavy heart. They had dominated the regular season and the early playoffs. Their defense had been suffocating. But the Bengals found a way to push through the noise. Los Angeles’s offensive line failed to protect Stafford during the critical final drives. They had the talent, but the execution slipped away.
Key Figures in the Final Seconds
Three names defined the final moments. Joe Burrow kept his composure. Ja'Marr Chase burned the coverage on the decisive play. And Evan McPhee delivered under the brightest lights. These players cemented their names in NFL lore that night.
The officials also had a major impact. A holding penalty on the Rams negated a big play. VAR-like instant replay confirmed a late Bengals score. Those marginal calls swung the pendulum entirely.
How to Watch Every Play Again
Fans still debate the fine details of that championship. The broadcast team broke down every cover-two and zone blitz. You can watch the full game replay on NFL+. The streaming service archives every Super Bowl for on-demand viewing.
Watch Super Bowl LVI Replays on NFL+
The clash between Cincinnati and Los Angeles set a new standard for late-game drama. It proved that the league’s parity run was alive and well. The identity of who played Super Bowl 2022 will forever be tied to resilience and redemption.