On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium before a crowd of 70,823 to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.
Seattle has relied on a relentless defence to beat New England 29-13 in the Super Bowl, denying the Patriots an NFL-record seventh championship and avenging a loss to the same opponent in the title game 11 years ago.
The Seahawks sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times—including one that resulted in a fumble returned for a late touchdown—and got five Jason Myers field goals, while Sam Darnold connected with AJ Barner for a touchdown.
Darnold, who has produced one of the most remarkable late-career turnarounds, is now the fourth quarterback to win the Super Bowl in his first season with a team, joining Tom Brady, Trent Dilfer, and Matthew Stafford.
“It’s unbelievable. Everything that’s happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Darnold, who is playing for his fifth team in eight seasons.
“So, proud of our guys? I can’t say enough good things about our defence, our special teams.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling, man. I’m so happy for the guys in our locker room and our coaches.”
Seattle’s Kenneth Walker, who had 135 rushing yards and added another two receptions for 26 yards, was named Most Valuable Player, making him the first running back to win the award since Denver’s Terrell Davis in 1998.
The win marked the Seahawks’ second Super Bowl in franchise history and their first since 2014. They suffered a crushing loss to New England a year later when an interception at the goal line with 20 seconds left preserved the Patriots’ win.
Seattle received the ball to start the game and went on an eight-play drive that set up a 33-yard Myers field goal for the opening score.
He doubled the lead in the second quarter from 39 yards and connected from 41 in the closing seconds of an opening half during which the Patriots punted on all five of their possessions.
A costly Maye fumble late in the third quarter led to the 16-yard Barner touchdown five plays later.
But the Patriots responded? immediately with a touchdown drive of their own as Maye? connected with Mack Hollins on a 35-yard scoring play to cut into the? Seattle leads with just over 12 minutes to play.
After being pinned to their four-yard line by a 55-yard punt from Australian Michael Dickson, the Patriots’ ensuing drive ended abruptly when a Maye pass intended for Kyle Williams was intercepted by Julian Love, leading to another Myers field goal and a 22-7 Seattle lead.
The Seahawks then put the game out of reach with a strip sack of Maye that saw Uchenna Nwosu scoop up the loose ball and return it 44 yards for the score.
“They just made a decision that they’re going to play a certain way,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who also serves as the defensive play-caller, said in accepting the Lombardi Trophy.
“They lived up to the ‘Dark Side’ today.”
Maye, who completed 27 of 43 passes for 295 yards while throwing two interceptions, connected with Rhamondre Stevenson for a late touchdown to get New England within 16 points, but the Patriots failed to recover the ensuing? onside kick as Seattle went on to victory.