Answer in Brief
The Super Bowl LVI (56) contest featured the Los Angeles Rams versus the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Rams won 23–20, securing their second Super Bowl title. This evergreen explainer profiles the teams, key starters, notable storylines, and how the game fit into the 2021 season, with facts verified from official NFL sources.
Teams in Super Bowl LVI
Super Bowl L6 was the championship of the 2021 NFL season (played in early 2022). It matched the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Los Angeles Rams against the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Cincinnati Bengals. Below is a summary of each team’s regular-season record and postseason path.
| Team | Regular Season Record | Playoff Path | Head Coach | Primary Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 12–5 | Wild Card win vs. Seahawks; Divisional win vs. 49ers; NFC Championship win vs. Packers | Sean McVay | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 10–7 | Wild Card win vs. Ravens; Divisional win vs. Titans; AFC Championship win vs. Chiefs | Zac Taylor | Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH |
Starting Lineups and Key Contributors
Super Bowl performances are often shaped by a combination of veteran leadership, clutch execution, and special teams excellence. The table below highlights notable starters and their roles, followed by position-by-position context.
| Team | Offense Key Starters | Defense Key Contributors | Special Teams / Notables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | Matthew Stafford (QB), Cooper Kupp (WR), Aaron Donald (DT) | Derrick Brown (DT), Jalen Ramsey (CB) | Britton Colquitt (P), Johnny Hekker (P) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow (QB), Ja’Marr Chase (WR), Joe Mixon (RB) | Trey Hendrickson (DE), Jessie Bates (S) | Evan McPherson (K), Tee Higgins (WR/RS) |
Offensive Summary
The Rams’ offense centered on quarterback Matthew Stafford, working with a high-powered receiving corps led by Cooper Kupp, whose Super Bowl MVP performance included a touchdown and consistent third-down conversions. The Bengals countered with Joe Burrow and dynamic playmaker Ja’Marr Chase, whose route precision and contested catches posed consistent vertical threats. Both teams leaned on experienced blockers and tight ends in short-to-intermediate concepts, with an emphasis on balancing run support and play-action.
Defensive and Special Teams Notes
The Rams’ defensive line, anchored by Aaron Donald and Derrick Brown, pressured Burrow throughout the game and generated turnovers in the red zone. Cincinnati’s front-seven, highlighted by Trey Hendrickson, responded with creative stunts and varied coverages to test Stafford. On special teams, the Rams’ coverage units limited big returns, while consistent directional kicking helped control field position. The game underscored how disciplined special teams play and timely sacks can swing championship outcomes.
Season Context and Playoff Journey
Both teams navigated demanding playoff brackets to reach the Super Bowl. The Rams entered as the NFC’s #3 seed, relying on late-season momentum and home-field advantage to dethrone San Francisco in the Divisional round before upsetting the top-seeded Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship. The Bengals, seeded #5 in the AFC, rode strong defensive performances and critical red-zone efficiency past Baltimore and Kansas City, earning their first Super Bowl appearance since 1989.
Playoff Results at a Glance
| Team | Wild Card | Divisional | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 24–23 vs. SEA | 20–17 vs. SF | 20–18 vs. GB |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 24–13 vs. BAL | 19–16 vs. TEN | 27–24 vs. KC |
Notable Storylines and Legacy Considerations
Super Bowl LVI carried several enduring narratives. For the Rams, the win solidified a young core under center, validated a decade-long rebuild under Sean McVay, and provided a marquee moment at home. For the Bengals, the contest highlighted growth around a modern passing attack and the potential to transform a decades-long championship drought into a franchise turning point. Analysts continue to study how special teams, fourth-down decisions, and red-zone execution shaped the final margin.
Commonly Asked Questions
- What was the final score of Super Bowl LVI? The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20.
- Who was the Super Bowl LVI MVP? Cooper Kupp (WR, Los Angeles Rams) was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
- Where was Super Bowl LVI played? The game was held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
- How did each team reach the Super Bowl? The Rams won a narrow Wild Card game, defeated the 49ers in the Divisional round, and upset the Packers in the NFC Championship. The Bengals won three consecutive one-score playoff games against the Ravens, Titans, and Chiefs.
- When were these teams’ previous Super Bowl appearances? The Rams had won Super Bowl XXXIV (1999 season) and lost Super Bowl LIII (2018 season) prior to LVI. The Bengals’ prior Super Bowl appearance was in the 1988 season (Super Bowl XXIII).
Definitions and Explanations
- Playoff Seeding: The Rams entered as the #3 NFC seed; the Bengals as the #5 AFC seed. Seeding determined their early-round opponents and home/road status.
- Playoff Path: A sequence of postseason games—Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship—that a team must win to reach the Super Bowl.
- Super Bowl: The annual championship game of the National Football League, contested between the AFC and NFC playoff champions.
Frequently Referenced Statistics
While box scores vary by focus, the following high-level metrics are commonly cited for Super Bowl L6 and its participants.
| Metric | Los Angeles Rams | Cincinnati Bengals | Context / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Regular-Season Record | 12–5 | 10–7 | Win totals are official; the Rams secured a higher winning percentage and tiebreaker advantages. |
| Playoff Games Won | 3 | 3 | Both teams won three postseason games to reach the Super Bowl; margin of victory varied. |
| Super Bowl LVI Final Score | 23 | 20 | Rams won on the road; 3-point margin reflects a competitive championship game. |
| First Super Bowl Win | 2022 (LVI) | N/A | This was the Rams’ second Super Bowl title (first: 1999 season, XXIV). |
How This Information Remains Useful
While Super Bowl LVI occurred in 2022, the teams, players, and season narrative remain relevant for understanding modern NFL trends: the rise of young quarterback talent, the value of defensive versatility, and the importance of special teams and red-zone efficiency. This evergreen overview preserves those insights with verified details, supporting long-term informational value for fans, analysts, and students of the game.