The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8. The game was an intriguing matchup between the Seahawks’ top-5 defense and the Patriots’ top-5 offense. Both teams’ offenses were led by star quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Sam Darnold. Seahawks head coach Mike McDonald became the 3rd youngest head coach to coach a Super Bowl. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, in his first season in New England, led the Patriots to a 14-3 regular season and the Patriots’ 12th Super Bowl appearance.
​In the first half, the game was a low-scoring affair with the Seahawks leading 9-0. Seattle’s “Dark Side Defense” haunted the Patriots consistently through the first half; the Patriots only totaled 51 offensive yards the entire half. Seahawks’ kicker Jason Myers converted three field goals off three attempts, scoring the only points of the half.
In the second half, the game gradually picked up pace, but the Seahawks’ defense still pressured the Patriots’ offensive line, causing the Patriots to punt in 4 straight drives. Then, the Seahawks’ strip-sacked Maye and recovered the fumble at the Patriots’ 31-yard line. That led Darnold to throw a 16-yard touchdown to WR A.J Barner, making the Seahawks lead 19-0. In the next drive, the Patriots recovered from the fumble and drove down the field for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 19-7. The Patriots, with the momentum, stalled the Seahawks offense to a three-and-out.
But the Seahawks’ defense fought back and picked off Maye, returning the interception to the Patriots’ 38-yard line. Seahawks star running back Kenneth Walker then ran for a touchdown, making the lead 22-7, effectively putting the game out of reach. The Patriots and Seahawks both scored touchdowns towards the end, with the Seahawks winning their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.