How did the Rams get to Super Bowl 2022? Key players, draft picks, wins, NFL playoff results and more

By Emily IannaconiFeb 13, 2022, 2:18 PM EST

The Rams won’t have to travel far to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. The game is set for today, Sunday, February 13 on NBC and Peacock, and it will take place on the Rams’ home turf at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The Rams last made it to the Super Bowl in the 2018 season, where they lost to the Patriots, but at that time they were helmed by Jared Goff. Now it’s Matthew Stafford at quarterback, and in his 13th NFL season, the 33-year-old Stafford will be making his first Super Bowl appearance.

The Rams opened their run in the NFL playoffs with a blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals on Super Wild Card Weekend. Next up was Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round, and the showdown was part of one of the best weekends of playoff football in history. The Rams led 27-3 in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter up 27-13 before Brady connected with Mike Evans for a 55-yard touchdown catch and Leonard Fournette ran in a nine-yard score to tie the game at 27. But Stafford powered the Rams down the field to put kicker Matt Gay in position for the game-winning 30-yard field goal, making it the third game of the weekend to end with a walk-off field goal. The Rams then hosted the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Things stayed close through the fourth quarter, and the Rams took a 20-17 lead on a 30-yard field goal in the final two minutes. With just over a minute remaining, Jimmy Garoppolo hoped to put together a game-winning drive, but near the 49ers’ 20-yard line, he faced massive pressure from Aaron Donald and saw his pass picked off by Travin Howard to seal the win for Los Angeles. Cooper Kupp led the way in the receiving game with 142 yards on 11 catches and two touchdowns with Odell Beckham Jr. not far behind (9 receptions for 113 yards – his first game this season with 100+ rec yards).

In the 2020 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made history as the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium, but one season later and the feat is starting to look commonplace, as the Rams gear up for the big game at SoFi. It worked out well for the Buccaneers, who defeated the Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV, but only time will tell if home field advantage has the same power for Sean McVay’s Rams.

NFL Playoffs Wild Card round results

Defeated the No. 5 Arizona Cardinals, 34-11

NFL Playoffs Divisional round results

Defeated the No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30-27

NFC Championship Game results

Defeated the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers, 20-17

Rams 2021 NFL Draft picks

Round 2, No. 57 – Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
Round 3, No. 103 – Ernest Jones, LB, South Carolina
Round 4, No. 117 – Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M
Round 4, No. 130 – Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
Round 4, No. 141 – Jacob Harris, TE, UCF
Round 5, No.175 – Earnest Brown IV, DL, Northwestern
Round 7, No. 233 – Jake Funk, RB, Maryland
Round 7, No. 249 – Ben Skowronek, WR, Notre Dame
Round 7, No. 252 – Chris Garrett, OLB, Concordia-St.Paul

Rams key personnel: Coaches and players

Head coach: Sean McVay
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Wide receiver: Cooper Kupp
Running back: Sony Michel
Defensive tackle: Aaron Donald
Cornerback: Jalen Ramsey

Rams regular season results

Overall record: 12-5
Key wins/biggest win of the season: 30-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14

Rams recent playoff history

Between 2005-2016, the Rams did not make the postseason. They snapped that drought in 2017 when they advanced to the Wild Card round under then-first-year head coach Sean McVay. The Rams lost the Super Bowl the following season and fell short to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round last season.

Previewing Rams vs. Bengals in Super Bowl LVI

When the Rams defeated the Cardinals, 34-11, at SoFi Stadium in the Wild Card Round, quarterback Matthew Stafford earned his first postseason victory. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who signed with the Rams as a free agent in November, caught all four of his targets for 54 yards and scored his first postseason touchdown, while also throwing a 40-yard pass to RB Cam Akers. Now Stafford looks to build on that newfound postseason win streak and make 13 his lucky number, with a Super Bowl win on February 13th in his 13th NFL season. They’ll take on Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in a matchup of the No. 4 seeds from both conferences.

Acquiring Beckham was just the latest in a series of moves the Rams have made in the past season to set them up for success. Prior to the start of the regular season, the Rams sent two first-round picks, a third-round pick and QB Jared Goff to the Lions in a blockbuster trade to acquire Stafford. Then, prior to the trade deadline, the Rams picked up eight-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Von Miller from the Denver Broncos in exchange for second and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Trading for players now at the expense of future draft picks highlights the Rams “Super Bowl or Bust” mindset. The Rams have not made a first-round selection since Goff in 2016 and don’t own a first-round pick until 2024, but the strategy has proven successful. When the Rams clinched the NFC West, it marked their fourth playoff appearance in five seasons. They have won three divisional titles since head coach Sean McVay’s arrival in 2017. Rams RB Cam Akers made a stunning return to competition after tearing his Achilles in July and tallied 48 yards on the ground in 13 carries against the 49ers.

The Bengals are coached by Zac Taylor, who was an assistant coach on McVay’s staff in Los Angeles before taking the top job with the Bengals. Stafford and Burrow are a pair of No. 1 overall draft picks, with Stafford taken first in 2009 and Burrow more recently in 2020.

Rams Record vs. playoff teams in the regular season: 2-5

Wins:

34-24 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3
30-23 vs. Arizona Cardinals in Week 14

Losses:

37-20 vs. Arizona Cardinals in Week 4
28-16 vs. Tennessee Titans in Week 9
31-10 vs. San Francisco 49ers in Week 10
36-28 vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 12
27-24 (OT) vs. San Francisco 49ers in Week 18

How can I watch and stream Super Bowl 2022 live?

When: Sunday, February 13, 2022
Where: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California
TV Channel: NBC
Live stream: Peacock, NBC Sports app, NBCSports.com
Follow along with ProFootballTalk and NBC Sports for NFL news, updates, scores, injuries and more

Be sure to check back after each game for final scores and follow ProFootballTalk for more on the 2022 NFL Playoffs as well as game previews, recaps, news, rumors, and more

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft CB Rankings: Devon Witherspoon highlights loaded draft class

By Annie CoryMar 29, 2023, 4:42 PM EDT

The 2023 NFL Draft is growing nearer, with just weeks remaining until teams make selections that could alter the future of their franchise forever.

A solid secondary is crucial to any team’s defensive prowess, and for the teams looking to tighten up in coverage, this year’s draft is the one to do so.

The 2023 NFL Draft cornerback class is an incredibly deep one, but which corner will be first off the board? Chris Simms unveiled his 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback rankings this week on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast, posting Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon at the top of his list of corners in this year’s crop.

But trailing Witherspoon very closely are four other potential NFL superstars, with Simms ranking Michigan’s DJ Turner at No. 2, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez at No. 3, Maryland’s Deonte Banks at No. 4 and Georgia’s Kelee Ringo at No. 5.

The 2023 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 27, and end on Saturday, April 29. The first round will take place on Thursday with rounds two and three airing on Friday and rounds four through seven on Saturday. Click here for Simms’ quarterback rankings,and here for his list of top wide receivers.

Simms’ Top Five CB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft

Tier One

1. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

2. DJ Turner, Michigan

3. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Tier Two

4. Deonte Banks, Maryland

Tier Three

5. Kelee Ringo, Georgia

Simms Breaks Down 2023 Draft CB Rankings

The following are highlights from Simms’ CB draft rankings. For Simms’ in-depth analysis, read below for a breakdown on each prospect and be sure to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for an unfiltered look at the NFL, featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown, and stories from a life in and around football.

No. 1: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

What Simms said: “This guy is must-see TV. He’s up there with one of the most twitchy, sudden people I’ve ever seen in my life to the point where when he takes off, you’re like, ‘Wait, is that real? Did he really get to full speed in half a step?’ … Bump or off, both are phenomenol — it’s rare to have that. He’s got very good play strength for a guy that’s 5’11” and a half at 181 lbs. He doesn’t know that, he thinks he’s 220 … It’s efficient and easy. He’s sudden and can see the ability to accelerate whether it’s downhill or sticking the foot in the ground and changing direction. As compared to my No. 2 and No. 3 guy, he might be a hair tighter in his hips, but his twitchiness and explosion and acceleration … you just start to go, ‘What does this guy not have, besides the fact that he’s not 6’2” or over 200 lbs.’ He’s phenomenol.”

No. 2: DJ Turner, Michigan

What Simms said: “To me, (DJ Turner is) the most technically sound corner in the draft. There’s nobody better at technique. Like Witherspoon, the ability to mirror receivers at the line of scrimmage, the quick feet, it’s phenomenol. His hips are better than Witherspoon … His ability to flip those hips, turn and break on the ball, it’s right up there. It’s actually more smooth hip-wise than it is for Devon Witherspoon … What more can you say about the guy? Start-stop ability, amazing. Make-up speed, amazing. Other than Witherspoon, I think he’s put in the second-most tough spots out of anybody I’ve watched in this. He plays man-to-man, in your face a ton against big-time receivers. He’s awesome defending double moves. He could be the best nickel or outside guy, and he’s also the fastest guy in the draft. He’s got it all.”

No. 3: Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

What Simms said: “There’s not much to pick apart here … He’s got a little more size and meat on his bones. The Tee Higgins of the world, the bigger receivers of the world, they’re gonna have a harder time pushing him around and doing that stuff. He’s got incredible ball skills … He looks prototype. He looks Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey-ish in his uniform … He just wasn’t as edgy as the other guys … He’s gonna match up better with DeAndre Hopkins than the other two. But I don’t know if he’ll match up better with Jaylen Waddle or Ja’Marr Chase than the other two … But his technique is real. He’s a top-20 pick. You talk size, technique and straight speed, of course this guy is one of the top corners in the draft.”

No. 4: Deonte Banks, Maryland

What Simms said: “He has more measurables like Gonzalez. 6 foot, 197 lbs., there’s a thickness to him and a power and strength element that certainly jumps out. Let alone, speed is Real Deal Holyfield … man-to-man, great legs, runs easy … He’s comfortable in his speed. He’s never panicked. He’s comfortable in going, ‘You have a step on me? That’s fine, I’m good,’ … But he’s also incredible, like Witherspoon and Turner, at getting on top of people when they try to run a go-route. No one can ever really get around him for the most part … He’s sticky as hell, he’s got very good feet, but he doesn’t know how to use his hands at all yet. So he’s not really that great at jamming people at the line of scrimmage, but he’s never not there … I thought his ability to play the ball and create PBUs in those 50/50 situations where the quarterback tries to throw the ball back shoulder and all that, he’s got a great feel and vision to be able to cover and see the throw at the same time that I was very impressed with.”

No. 5: Kelee Ringo, Georgia

What Simms said: “When you turn on the film, you go, ‘What? This guy’s a corner, he’s not a safety?’ Because he has a prototype safety vibe … Against the bigger, straight-liner guys, nobody’s gonna push this dude around. That’s certainly not going to be an issue, that along with the straight speed. Hey, the change of direction stuff is not beautiful. He’s a little heavy-footed because he’s a bigger guy … but it’s not bad … When he opens up, he can really go; obviously with a 4.36 second 40 time … He’s very smooth as far as an athlete overall.”

For more preview content of the 2023 NFL Draft, stay tuned to Chris Simms Unbuttoned, ProFootballTalk and NBC Sports EDGE for all the latest updates, player analysis and mock drafts.

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: The top QBs, WRs, RBs, and more ahead of draft weekend

By Mary OmatigaMar 29, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place on Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Click here for the full first-round draft order to find out when your team is picking.

Ahead of this year’s draft, Chris Simms has already started analyzing the top prospects by position on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast. So far, Simms has revealed his highly anticipated list of the top 5 quarterback prospects and wide receivers. See below to find out who made the top 5 names for each position and be sure to check back for updates!

Be sure to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for more on the 2023 NFL Draft as well as an unfiltered look at the NFL, featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown, and stories from a life in and around football.

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft QB Rankings:

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Bryce Young, Alabama
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Anthony Richardson, Florida
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA and Will Levis, Kentucky

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft WR Rankings:

Zay Flowers, Boston College
Jaxon Smith-Njibga, Ohio State
Quentin Jonston, TCU
Michael Wilson, Stanford
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

Chris Simms 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings

Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
DJ Turner, Michigan
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Deonte Banks, Maryland
Kelee Ringo, Georgia

How can I watch the 2023 NFL Draft live?

ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will air all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.

What time does the NFL Draft start?

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft will get underway on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds two and three will commence Friday at 7 p.m. ET, with Saturday’s final rounds at 12 p.m.

Follow along with ProFootballTalk for the latest news, storylines, and updates surrounding the 2023 NFL Season and be sure to subscribe to NFLonNBC on YouTube!