The Seattle Seahawks secured the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history on Sunday, leveraging a dominant defensive performance to defeat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. Under the leadership of head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seattle defensive unit, colloquially known as the Dark Side, systematically dismantled the New England offense throughout the evening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The victory marks a significant milestone for a franchise that had not reached the championship stage since the 2014 season.
The Seahawks relied on a relentless pass rush and opportunistic secondary play to stifle Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Key contributors Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, and Byron Murphy spearheaded a unit that recorded six sacks and multiple turnovers. Following the game, Macdonald praised the collective resilience of his roster, noting that the team never wavered in its belief despite external skepticism. The win validates Macdonald’s defensive schemes, which have transformed Seattle into the premier defensive power in the NFL over the course of the 2025-26 season.
Offensively, quarterback Sam Darnold managed the game effectively to earn his first career championship. Darnold, who was once labeled a draft bust after stints with several other organizations, completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown. While his statistics were not explosive, his ability to avoid turnovers proved decisive, especially considering he had led the league in giveaways during the regular season. By winning Super Bowl LX, Darnold becomes the first quarterback from the 2018 NFL draft class to win a title, achieving the feat before peers such as Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
Running back Kenneth Walker III provided the offensive engine for Seattle, rushing for 135 yards on a heavy workload. His performance earned him the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award, making him the first running back to receive the honor since Terrell Davis did so twenty-eight years ago. Walker’s ability to find yardage against a stout New England front seven allowed Seattle to control the tempo of the game and maintain a lead from the opening possession.
The scoring began early when Jason Myers converted a 33-yard field goal on the game’s opening drive. Myers would go on to set a Super Bowl record by successfully making all five of his field-goal attempts, providing critical points while the Seattle offense struggled to find the end zone in the first half. His subsequent kicks from 39 and 41 yards gave the Seahawks a 9-0 lead heading into the intermission, as the New England offense failed to gain any significant traction.
The Patriots, finishing their season with a 17-4 record, struggled with field position and consistency. The New England offense punted on its first eight possessions of the game. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the disappointment of the loss but emphasized the long-term potential of the program he is building in Foxborough. Despite the sluggish start, the Patriots remained within striking distance until late in the third quarter.
The momentum shifted permanently in favor of Seattle following a defensive highlight by Derick Hall. Hall’s strip-sack of Maye deep in New England territory set up a short field for the Seahawks. Darnold capitalized on the opportunity by connecting with tight end AJ Barner for a 16-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 19-0. The touchdown served as the breaking point for a Patriots defense that had played valiantly to keep the score close despite the lack of offensive support.
Drake Maye attempted to spark a comeback in the fourth quarter, momentarily evoking memories of past New England rallies. Maye found receiver Mack Hollins for a 24-yard gain over the middle before connecting with him again on a 35-yard touchdown strike. The score cut the deficit to 12 points and gave the Patriots a glimmer of hope. However, Maye’s efforts were thwarted when he threw an interception to Julian Love on a pass intended for a triple-covered receiver. The turnover led to another Myers field goal, pushing the Seattle lead to 22-7 with just over five minutes remaining.
The Seahawks’ defense provided the final exclamation point when Uchenna Nwosu intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. The play began when Witherspoon struck Maye’s arm during the throwing motion, sending the ball fluttering into the air. Nwosu’s pick-six effectively ended any remaining hope for a New England miracle. A late 7-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Rhamondre Stevenson served only to narrow the final margin.
For the Seahawks, the victory serves as a bookend to their 2013 championship run. That era, defined by the Legion of Boom, ended in a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Patriots a year later. This victory provides a sense of closure for the organization, having bested the same opponent that denied them a repeat over a decade ago. The 17-3 overall record for Seattle this season represents one of the most successful campaigns in the history of the Pacific Northwest franchise.
The halftime festivities featured a high-energy performance by global superstar Bad Bunny. The show was a deliberate celebration of Puerto Rican culture, featuring traditional Caribbean imagery and guest appearances by artists such as Cardi B. Bad Bunny used the platform to deliver a message of self-belief in Spanish, marking a historic moment for Latin representation on the NFL’s largest stage. The production was widely cited as a landmark cultural event, further elevating the stature of the Super Bowl as a global entertainment property.
As the NFL transitions into the off-season, the Seahawks enter a period of celebration, having successfully navigated a difficult postseason path. The emergence of Mike Macdonald as a championship-winning coach and the redemption of Sam Darnold are expected to be the primary narratives heading into next year. For the Patriots, the focus shifts to the continued development of Drake Maye, who, despite the loss, showed flashes of the talent that made him a top draft pick and an MVP contender.
Seattle now joins an elite group of franchises with multiple Super Bowl rings. The team\’s reliance on a dominant defense and a strong running game proved that traditional championship formulas remain effective in the modern NFL. With a young core of defensive stars like Witherspoon and Murphy under contract, the Seahawks appear positioned to remain a contender in the NFC for several years to come.
Seattle Seahawks Defeat New England Patriots to Secure Second Super Bowl Title
