Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein had the first touch on the ball during kickoff of the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Jan. 20. It was only fitting he had the last as well.

For the first time in 35 years, a team from Los Angeles will be representing the city in the Super Bowl. Sunday the Rams defeated the Saints 26-23 on the road in Louisiana’s Superdome after a overtime field goal from Zuerlein sealed the victory.

Zurlein’s 57-yard field goal secured the Ram’s Super Bowl ticket following an interception by Los Angeles safety Josh Johnson during the Saints first drive in the extra period. On 2nd and 16, following a big hit by linebacker Dante Fowler, a rushed throw by New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees that hanged in the air and dropped fortuitously into the arms of Johnson just past the 50-yard line handed the Rams the chance to send Southern California to the biggest stage in football.

Just five plays later, including a 12-yard pass on first down to tight end Tyler Higbee from quarterback Jared Goff, up stepped Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein who split the goal post in half with a perfect kick that would have been good from as far as 63-yards.

“It wasn’t always perfect but guys made enough plays and then I think really the overtime period personifies what this team’s really all about,”said McVay who became the youngest head coach in Super Bowl history Sunday.

The 32-year-old coaching phenomenon, who turns 33 Thursday, said the defense getting a turnover, Goff making an unbelievable play to Higbee to get the Rams inside the 60-yard field goal range, along with The Leg’s clutch kick, embodied Los Angeles’ locker room.

Zurlein’s OT kick wasn’t his only contribution in the game. His 48-yard score with 19 seconds left in regulation leveled the score, giving Los Angeles a chance in the extra frame.

It’s an historic win for Los Angeles as the Rams’ return to the big game just three seasons since coming back to Los Angeles from St. Louis in 2016. Joining the Rams in Atlanta will be the New England Patriots who have now reached the Super Bowl three years on the bounce following a 37-31 masterclass over the favored Kansas City Chiefs.

If any more motivation was needed for the SoCal team, the game will be a city-rematch of Major League Baseball’s World Series which the Boston Red Sox won over the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games last November.

The team’s will be lining up in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday, Feb. 3 with a 3:30 p.m. (pacific) kickoff.