Matthew Stafford, Rams advance to Super Bowl in own building with NFC title win over 49ers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Matthew Stafford needed a new start, the Rams needed a new quarterback and here they are: one step away from a Super Bowl title in the glitziest, most glamorous market in the land.

Stafford, who played 12 seasons for Detroit without winning a single playoff game, led the Rams to a stunning 20-17 comeback win over the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

The Rams earned the right to face the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI in the same building — the Rams’ home building.

"I don’t know that I ever thought about what I would be feeling at this moment," Stafford said in the Rams’ interview room as celebratory music blared from the locker room on the other side of the wall. "Just that I wished I could be in those games. We’ve had high expectations all year, done nothing but do everything in our power to achieve those."

Matt Gay’s 30-yard field goal with 1:46 left sent the Rams to the Super Bowl for the second time in the last four seasons. They are one win away from achieving the dream Stafford and every player harbors: hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champs.

"I’m just so proud of this group," said Stafford, who was 31-for-45 for 337 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. "Happy to be a part of it. This game wasn’t perfect, but we found a way to win the game. That’s what it’s all about."

It took a brilliant comeback from a 17-7 deficit in the second half as the Rams beat the 49ers for the first time this season after losing the first two meetings and snapped an 0-6 streak against their NFC West rivals.

It almost felt like a road game for the Rams with a heavy contingent of 49ers fans in attendance. And for a while, it looked as if it would be the third installment of the 49ers-Bengals Super Bowl matchup. But Stafford rallied the Rams down the stretch, and a critical interception thrown by Jimmy Garoppolo sealed the win.

Deep in his own territory down 20-17, Garoppolo was under heavy pressure and attempted a backhanded pass to running back JaMycal Hasty. But the ball caromed off Hasty’s hands and was intercepted by linebacker Travin Howard at the 49ers’ 19-yard line and returned to the 13. The Rams ran out the clock and ran into each other’s arms to celebrate the win.

"Long time coming," said Stafford, the Lions’ No. 1 overall pick in 2009. "Spent a lot of years in this league and loved every minute of it. I feel blessed to play as long as I have, but I’m sure happy about this opportunity, not only for me but for the guys in this locker room."

It was another transcendent day for Cooper Kupp, who led the Rams with 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Former Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr., traded to Cleveland in March 2019 and released in the middle of the 2021 season, caught nine passes for 113 yards.

"Cooper Kupp, big catch after big catch," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "We’d have no chance to be here without Cooper Kupp."

The fact that the Rams beat their nemesis made it all the sweeter, although McVay didn’t dwell on the fact that he’d lost six straight to his NFC West rivals and Kyle Shanahan. The two were together as assistants in Washington before being named head coaches of the Rams and 49ers.

"We knew what a great team this was," McVay said. "We’re familiar with this opponent, but the previous six games had nothing to do with what would occur after this kickoff. Having a short memory from the good and the bad [was important.''

The 49ers didn’t get into the playoffs until a Week 18 win over the Rams at SoFi Stadium, which came after they drubbed the Rams, 31-10, in November.

Kupp’s 16-yard reception opened the scoring, but Deebo Samuel caught a 44-yard TD pass from Garoppolo and Robbie Gould’s 38-yard field goal gave the 49ers a 10-7 halftime lead.

The 49ers took a 17-7 lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo to George Kittle with 1:59 left in the third quarter. A defensive stop on fourth-and-1 set the stage for the scoring drive, as the 49ers kept Stafford from converting on a keeper on fourth-and-1 at the 49ers’ 42.

But the Rams answered with a terrific drive on their next possession, going 75 yards in seven plays to make it 17-14 with 13:30 left in the fourth quarter. Stafford again went to his go-to receiver, finding Kupp open in the left corner of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown after he beat single coverage by cornerback K’Waun Williams.

The Rams tied it with 6:49 left on Gay’s 40-yard field goal, and his next field goal put them ahead for good. It was set up by Kupp, who took a pass over the middle on third-and-2 at the 49ers’ 37 and turned it into a 25-yard gain to the 12.

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”