The Bengals did answer that touchdown drive of the Rams by scoring their own. Joe Burrow completed a pass to Tee Higgins in order to Mut 22 coins tie the game at seven however, L.A. quickly matched that score with a drive through the field and Odell Beckham Jr. scoring a touchdown of 7 yards passing making it 14-7.
At this point that the Bengals started to get left by the wind.
The Cincinnati offense took over the field following that Beckham touchdown and was in a third-and-9 position from their 24 yard line. After rolling out to his right side, Burrow was tackled with Leonard Floyd and the football was released. Aaron Donald scooped it up and was able rush it into the goal line to set the Rams in front 21-7. In the second quarter the defensive back Cam Akers would cap off another touchdown game with L.A. that would extend the lead to three scoring.
The Bengals did show some courage in the first half against the scoring assault of the Rams. They did manage to reach the end zone with only 50 seconds remaining just before halftime and cut the deficit to 14 points after Burrow crossed the ball with Tyler Boyd.
However, in a similar vein to the Chiefs having to go into overtime against Buffalo after 13 seconds in the regulation portion of the divisional round the Rams were on the brink of striking a similar blow. On the first play following the Bengals score, with cheap Madden 22 coins just 46 seconds on the clock, Stafford completed a 73-yard touchdown to Jefferson to further allow L.A. what proved to be an insurmountable advantage.
