Game story
In the Super Bowl of the 2021 NFL season on 2022-02-13, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +8.81 total EPA, and -0.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.81 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+20.6% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Stafford · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +8.81 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 2 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +7.74 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 3 T. Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +7.57 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 4 O. Beckham · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +6.11 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.04 EPA/play
- 5 B. Hopkins · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.48 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
- 6 D. Henderson · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.87 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 7 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +2.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.36 EPA/play
- 8 J. Mixon · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +1.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Stafford — LA · Passing
M. Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+8.81) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 46 counted snaps, they averaged +0.19 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.99 EPA) came from Cincinnati Bengals: (15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Rams — O. Beckham (M. Stafford pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — T. Higgins (J. Mixon pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — T. Higgins (J. Burrow pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass)
Field goals
- Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson
- Cincinnati Bengals — E. McPherson
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CIN 17 (Q1 51:26) — (6:26) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 3-O.Beckham for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 51:22) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the LA 11 (Q1 45:31) — (:31) 2-E.McPherson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–6. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CIN 11 (Q2 42:56) — (12:56) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 10-C.Kupp for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the LA 6 (Q2 35:52) — (5:52) 28-J.Mixon pass short right to 85-T.Higgins for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 35:47) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 10–3. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the LA 75 (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 29:48) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the LA 20 (Q3 25:19) — (10:19) 2-E.McPherson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the CIN 23 (Q3 21:02) — (6:02) 8-M.Gay 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q4 1:29) — (1:29) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 10-C.Kupp for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q4 1:25) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 10-C.Kupp to CIN 24 for 22 yards (30-J.Bates III).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass incomplete short right to 34-S.Perine [99-A.Donald].
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:48) — (:48) (Shotgun) 34-S.Perine right tackle to LA 49 for no gain (91-G.Gaines; 99-A.Donald).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 3-O.Beckham pushed ob at CIN 41 for 35 yards (20-E.Apple).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 29:44) — (14:44) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 18-B.Skowronek INTERCEPTED by 22-C.Awuzie at LA 32. 22-C.Awuzie to LA 31 for 1 yard (18-B.Skowronek).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 3-O.Beckham pushed ob at CIN 41 for 35 yards (20-E.Apple).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 55:00) — (10:00) (Shotgun) 9-J.Burrow pass incomplete short right to 1-J.Chase (50-E.Jones).
Quarterback report card
M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) · 46 dropbacks · 56.5% completion · -0.6% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +8.81 total EPA
- J.Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) · 41 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · -3.0% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -5.79 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Rams | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.052 | -0.107 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.5% | 35.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.132 | -0.094 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.404 | -0.180 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.107 | +0.052 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.5% | 62.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Rams generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 13 drives, -8.10 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 13 drives, -4.57 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Rams leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 51:26 · CIN 17 · Score 6-0
(6:26) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 3-O.Beckham for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 51:22 · CIN 15 · Score 7-0
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q1 45:31 · LA 11 · Score 7-3
(:31) 2-E.McPherson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 42:56 · CIN 11 · Score 13-3
(12:56) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 10-C.Kupp for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 35:52 · LA 6 · Score 13-9
(5:52) 28-J.Mixon pass short right to 85-T.Higgins for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 35:47 · LA 15 · Score 13-10
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · LA 75 · Score 13-16
(15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 29:48 · LA 15 · Score 13-17
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 25:19 · LA 20 · Score 13-20
(10:19) 2-E.McPherson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 21:02 · CIN 23 · Score 16-20
(6:02) 8-M.Gay 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 1:29 · CIN 1 · Score 22-20
(1:29) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 10-C.Kupp for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 1:25 · CIN 15 · Score 23-20
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 2021 on 2022-02-13.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20 (LA 23-20 CIN) in Super Bowl 2021 on 2022-02-13.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: Los Angeles Rams 7, Cincinnati Bengals 3; Q2: Los Angeles Rams 6, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Q3: Los Angeles Rams 3, Cincinnati Bengals 10; Q4: Los Angeles Rams 7, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Final: Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Los Angeles Rams touchdown — O. Beckham (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 51:26) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 42:56) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Higgins (J. Mixon pass) (Q2 35:52) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Higgins (J. Burrow pass) (Q3 30:00) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 1:29) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. McPherson (Q1 45:31, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. McPherson (Q3 25:19, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — M. Gay (Q3 21:02, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals?
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), 56.5% completion, -0.6% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +8.81 total passing EPA. J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.7% completion, -3.0% CPOE, -0.14 EPA per dropback, -5.79 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals?
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +8.81 on passing plays. across 46 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.99 EPA): (15:00) 9-J.Burrow pass deep left to 85-T.Higgins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +20.6%.
Was Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Los Angeles Rams won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 15-5 Now 16-5 W
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 13-7 Now 13-8 L
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