The Los Angeles Rams are heading to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years, capping off another thrilling NFL play-off weekend with a thrilling 20-17 win.
The game was in the balance with a minute to go as the San Francisco 49ers were trying to move down the field to tie the game, but a Travin Howard interception sealed the deal.
The Rams will take on the Cincinatti Bengals, who stunned the Kansas City Chiefs earlier today.
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The Rams had moved all their chips into the middle this season, trading a slew of draft picks over the last couple of years to get to exactly this moment; a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
It was a tough arm wrestle of an encounter, as the Rams came from 10 points down in the final quarter. One of those big trades was to acquire quarterback Matt Stafford, whose connection with wide receiver Cooper Kupp has become the most potent in the NFL.
It could have ended so much differently, if not for a dropped interception with the 49ers still leading by three.
Stafford flung the ball downfield only for his pass to pretty much hit 49ers defensive back Jaquiski Tartt in the chest – who incredibly spilled the ball.
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That drive ended with a Matt Gay field goal, tying the game at 17-17 before San Francisco were quickly forced to punt on their next possession.
Gay added another field goal, giving the 49ers the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock.
Three plays later, a tipped Jimmy Garoppolo pass found its way into the hands of Howard, and that was that.
“That was an unbelievable performance by our team,” Stafford said afterwards.
“I said in the locker room man, there’s no way we’re not going to win this damn game.”
Both teams will get a fortnight off before meeting on Monday morning Australian time on February 14.
Incredibly, the Rams become the second team in a row to be playing in a Super Bowl in their home stadium (Tampa Bay did it last year) after that never occurring in the first 54 editions of the game.
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