Who Won Super Bowl 56? Full Recap & Stats

By Sarah Miller · December 27, 2042

The Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl 56, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. The game took place on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns, while Cooper Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP after recording 8 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Super Bowl 56: Key Highlights

Super Bowl 56 was a tightly contested matchup between the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams and the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. Played at the Rams' home stadium, SoFi Stadium, it marked the first time a team played a Super Bowl on their home field. The Rams secured their second Super Bowl title in franchise history with a dramatic 23-20 victory.

Critical Moments in the Game

Rams take an early lead with a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp.
Bengals respond with two field goals by Evan McPherson to tie the score.
Stafford connects with Odell Beckham Jr. for a touchdown before halftime.
Rams extend lead in third quarter with another Kupp touchdown reception.
Bengals rally late, tying the game at 20-20 with a Joe Burrow-to-Tee Higgins TD.
Matthew Gay kicks a go-ahead field goal with under three minutes remaining.
Final Rams drive, led by Stafford and Kupp, burns clock and sets up game-winning kick.
Leonard Floyd seals the win with a crucial strip-sack of Joe Burrow in final seconds.

Player Performances and MVP Analysis

Cooper Kupp's performance was pivotal throughout the game and postseason. His consistent route running, clutch catches, and ability to convert key third downs earned him the Super Bowl MVP award. He finished the season with 149 receptions, setting a new NFL record for most catches in a single season including playoffs.

Top Offensive Contributors

Player	Team	Passing Yards	Rushing Yards	Receiving Yards	Touchdowns
Matthew Stafford	LAR	283	2	0	3
Joe Burrow	CIN	263	14	0	2
Cooper Kupp	LAR	0	5	92	2
Tee Higgins	CIN	0	0	74	1
Odell Beckham Jr.	LAR	0	32	52	1

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that both quarterbacks performed efficiently under pressure, with Stafford throwing for more yards and touchdowns. Kupp’s dual-threat capability as both a receiver and occasional rusher made him indispensable. The Rams’ balanced offensive attack allowed them to control tempo in critical moments.

Defensive Impact and Turnovers

While the Rams' offense received much of the spotlight, the defense played a decisive role in the closing minutes. Leonard Floyd’s strip-sack of Joe Burrow with 1:47 remaining ended the Bengals’ last scoring threat. Aaron Donald, though not recording a sack, applied constant interior pressure, disrupting Burrow’s timing.

Total sacks: Rams 4 – Bengals 2
Turnovers forced: Rams 2 (1 fumble recovery, 1 interception)
Third-down conversion rate: Rams 7/14 (50%), Bengals 5/12 (41.7%)
Time of possession: Rams 34:21, Bengals 25:39

Venue and Historical Context

SoFi Stadium, opened in 2020, hosted its first Super Bowl with state-of-the-art facilities and a capacity of over 70,000. The Rams became the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium, though they were the visiting team in terms of uniform and sideline designation.

Notable Super Bowl 56 Firsts

First Super Bowl hosted at SoFi Stadium.
First time the Rams played a Super Bowl at home.
First Super Bowl where both teams had Black starting quarterbacks (Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow are white; correction: this did not apply—Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts met in SB LVII).
Most-watched Super Bowl since 2017, with an average of 99.2 million viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl 56

Who won Super Bowl 56?

The Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl 56, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. The game was played on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

What was the final score of Super Bowl 56?

The final score was Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20. The Rams secured the win with a late field goal and a defensive stop in the final minutes.

Where was Super Bowl 56 held?

Super Bowl 56 was held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. It was the first Super Bowl hosted at this venue.

Who was named Super Bowl MVP?

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams was named Super Bowl MVP. He recorded 8 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the third quarter.

Did the Rams win the Super Bowl at home?

Yes, the Rams became the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl played in their home stadium. Although technically designated as the away team, they played and won Super Bowl 56 at SoFi Stadium, their home venue.