By Darin 🏈 42 Seconds of Heart-Stopping Drama
On January 23, 2022, the sports world nearly witnessed the greatest encore in the history of Tom Brady. Inside a raucous Raymond James Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams had built a commanding 27–3 lead midway through the third quarter, appearing to bury the defending champions. But as the sun set in Tampa, Brady began a methodical, turnover-fueled resurrection that tied the game with just 42 seconds remaining. What followed was a definitive moment in NFL lore: a "love of the game" route that allowed Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp to snatch victory from the jaws of a historic collapse.
Article from Jan 24, 2022 Longview Daily News (Longview, Washington)
The Collapse and the Comeback
The Rams' dominance for the first 40 minutes was absolute. Matthew Stafford was clinical, connecting with Kendall Blanton for an early score and later finding a wide-open Cooper Kupp for a 70-yard touchdown that silenced the home crowd. When Stafford snuck into the end zone for a 1-yard score in the third, a 24-point cushion seemed insurmountable.
However, the Rams’ "fumble-itis" gave the Buccaneers a lifeline. Three lost fumbles by LA allowed Tampa Bay to crawl back. Brady hit Mike Evans for a staggering 55-yard touchdown strike to make it a one-score game, and Leonard Fournette eventually punched in a 9-yard run on 4th-and-inches to tie the game at 27. The stadium was shaking; it felt like the Brady "magic" was inevitable.
Stafford to Kupp: The Dagger
With only 42 seconds left and no timeouts, Matthew Stafford stayed remarkably calm. After a sack on first down threatened to send the game to overtime, Stafford fired a 20-yard strike to Kupp. On the very next play, against a daring Tampa Bay all-out blitz, Stafford lofted a "moon ball" deep down the middle. Kupp hauled it in for a 44-yard gain, sprinting to the Tampa 12-yard line. Stafford spiked the ball with four seconds left, setting up former Buccaneer Matt Gay for a 30-yard walk-off field goal.
Conclusion: A Heavyweight Knockout
The Rams' 30–27 victory was a turning point for both franchises. For Los Angeles, it proved that Matthew Stafford was the missing piece required to win a championship under pressure. For Tampa Bay, it was a heartbreaking end to their repeat bid and, temporarily, appeared to be the final game of Tom Brady’s legendary career. The Rams would carry this momentum all the way to a Super Bowl LVI victory in their home stadium.
Game Highlights
- Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27
- Stafford's Stat Line: 28/38, 366 passing yards, 3 total TDs.
- Kupp's Dominance: 9 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown.
- The Brady Rally: Tom Brady finished with 329 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.
- Turnover Chaos: The teams combined for 6 turnovers (4 by the Rams).
