The Seattle Seahawks powered their way to a dominant Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, winning 29-13 on Sunday night in Santa Clara, California, as their aggressive defence overwhelmed rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Seattle sealed their second Super Bowl title after delivering a relentless performance on both sides of the ball, leaving the Patriots struggling to gain momentum for most of the night.
The result matters because it confirms Seattle’s return to the NFL’s elite, while raising fresh questions about whether New England’s young squad is ready for the biggest stage.
How did the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl so convincingly?
Seattle’s victory came down to one clear factor: they bullied the Patriots at the line of scrimmage.
Under head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks’ defence produced a brutal, high-pressure display that left Drake Maye under constant stress. Seattle recorded six sacks, repeatedly forcing rushed throws, broken plays, and stalled drives.
Before kick-off, Seattle’s preparations were briefly shaken by a Nick Emmanwori injury scare, raising concerns over whether the Seahawks defence would be at full strength for the Super Bowl.
The Seattle Seahawks defenders leading the charge included:
- Derick Hall (2 sacks)
- Byron Murphy (2 sacks)
- Devon Witherspoon (key deflection leading to a pick-six)
New England’s offence simply could not stay on the pitch long enough to build rhythm, punting repeatedly and failing to threaten Seattle’s lead until the game was already slipping away.
Who were the key players in Seattle’s Super Bowl victory?
Seattle had standout performances across the board, but several names clearly shaped the final outcome.
Kenneth Walker III powered the ground game
Running back Kenneth Walker III delivered a massive performance, rushing for 135 yards, keeping the Patriots’ defence on the back foot and helping Seattle dominate possession.
His runs repeatedly set up manageable third downs and allowed Seattle to control the tempo of the game.
Sam Darnold played smart football under pressure
Quarterback Sam Darnold did not produce a flashy stat line, but he delivered the most important thing in a Super Bowl: mistake-free control.
He finished 19 of 38 for 202 yards, throwing a key touchdown pass to AJ Barner and avoiding turnovers throughout the playoffs.
Darnold also achieved a notable milestone, becoming the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl, ahead of high-profile names like Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson.
Jason Myers stayed perfect
Kicker Jason Myers played a quiet but vital role, converting all five of his field-goal attempts, ensuring Seattle always kept the scoreboard ticking over.
What happened to the Patriots and Drake Maye in the Super Bowl?
For New England, the night turned into a harsh lesson. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye faced pressure from the opening drive and never looked comfortable. Seattle’s pass rush collapsed the pocket repeatedly, forcing Maye into hurried decisions.
The Patriots punted on their first eight drives, excluding a kneel-down to end the first half. That stat alone shows how badly Seattle controlled the game.
The Patriots managed only one sustained response, but it came far too late to swing the outcome.
Which Super Bowl moment decided the game?
The turning point came with a back-breaking defensive play. Uchenna Nwosu intercepted Maye after a deflection from Devon Witherspoon and returned it 45 yards for a pick-six, sending Seattle’s fans into celebration mode and putting the game firmly out of reach.
THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ARE SUPER BOWL LX CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/EuftZfN9lP
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026
That play summed up the Seahawks’ identity on the night: fast, physical, and ruthless.
How did Seattle’s defence compare to other recent Super Bowl winners?
Seattle’s defensive performance looked like a throwback to old-school championship teams that win through aggression rather than shootouts.
Their unit, nicknamed the “Dark Side” defence, produced:
- 6 sacks
- Multiple turnovers
- Constant pressure on nearly every dropback
- A defensive touchdown
Seattle also benefited from a clean playoff run from Darnold, who previously led the NFL in turnovers during the regular season but stayed mistake-free when it mattered most.
As one major post-game talking point noted: “After leading the NFL with 20 turnovers in the regular season, Darnold didn’t have any in three playoff games.”
That kind of turnaround is rare, and it gave Seattle the platform to win without needing explosive passing numbers.
What does this Super Bowl win mean for Sam Darnold’s career?
The win could completely reshape how the NFL views Sam Darnold.
Once labelled a bust and moved on by multiple teams, Darnold has now achieved what most quarterbacks never do, he has become a Super Bowl-winning starter.
Seattle’s season record of 17-3 also strengthens his case as a quarterback who can lead a contender when surrounded by a strong defence and a reliable run game. For Darnold, the story is no longer about failure. It is about redemption.
What went wrong for the Patriots despite a strong season?
New England entered the Super Bowl with a strong 17-4 record, but they failed to adapt to Seattle’s defensive pressure.
The biggest issues were clear:
- Poor protection for Maye
- Limited explosive plays
- Too many stalled drives
- Failure to convert key downs early
Even when the Patriots found brief success, Seattle’s discipline and special teams kept them pinned down.
