Seahawks Dominate Patriots to Win Super Bowl LX
- Vincent Mendoza
- 49 minutes ago
- 4 min read
BY: VINCENT MENDOZA / CHIEF OF SPORTS
In a Super Bowl matchup no one aside from optimistic fans of either organization could’ve predicted, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. Coming into the big game, both defenses were amongst the best in the league, but it was Seattle who displayed authority and supremacy over New England.
The Seahawks, led by second-year coach and defensive mastermind Mike Macdonald, applied immense pressure on the Patriots’ offensive line and on Drake Maye, forcing the second-year quarterback to throw two interceptions, one a pick-six, along with a fumble, six sacks, and eight tackles for loss.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup, Maye was trailing only Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow for the most sacks taken in a single postseason – 19. While this statistic was alarming, some viewed it as justifiable, as the Patriots defeated the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos en route to the Super Bowl, all of which ranked amongst the top of the league defensively. In hindsight, these concerns regarding Maye and the offensive line would be unavoidable and, inevitably, their biggest downfall.
In addition to the brute strength and dominance of Seattle’s defense, their offense ran a steady, methodical playstyle, led by their running back and the Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III. Following two great games in the Divisional round and NFC Championship, accumulating 256 yards and four touchdowns, the 25-year-old amassed 162 total yards and set the tone for the Seahawks.
Despite the lack of eye-popping stats and jaw-dropping plays, Sam Darnold displayed poise and a game-manager approach, throwing for 202 yards and a somewhat game-sealing touchdown to tight end AJ Barner early in the fourth quarter. Barner, who finished with 54 yards and a touchdown, was accompanied by the 2022 Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp to lead the receiving core, totaling 6 receptions for 61 yards, multiple of which were crucial first downs to extend drives.
Although the 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year and All-Pro wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba didn’t put up numbers comparable to those throughout the regular season or previous playoff outings, his presence alone opened up the field for guys like Barner and Kupp to shine. Alongside this, Njigba was facing one of the league’s most elite cornerbacks and fellow All-Pro, Christian Gonzalez, who displayed those honors, making some spectacular pass breakups throughout the game.
Special teams sometimes get overlooked and undervalued, but the Seahawks displayed its significance, granting them the upper hand on the Patriots. Kicker Jason Myers deserves much credit and recognition, knocking through all five field goal attempts and both extra points. Punter Michael Dickson also did a phenomenal job putting the Patriots in deep in their own territory, amassing two punts within their five-yard line, and another within their own 20.
On defense, a collection of players across the field came up big, making life for Drake Maye unbearable. Defensive tackle Rylie Mills and cornerback Devon Witherspoon each got to him once, and linebacker Derick Hall and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II each sacked Maye twice.
Late in the third quarter, the pair of Hall and Murphy II connected, as Hall sacked Maye, causing a fumble, recovered by Murphy II, setting up the game-sealing touchdown to open the fourth quarter.
Following the Seahawks touchdown to put them up 19-0, Maye and the Patriots responded with a 35-yard touchdown to Mack Hollins, giving them their first points of the game. Just moments later, Maye would have a chance to cut their deficit into single digits. Unfortunately for the Patriots and their fans, the 23-year-old would step up in the pocket and make an ill-advised throw straight to Seahawks defender Julian Love. This decision was so bad that color commentator Chris Collinsworth said, “Ummmm, I’ve got nothing for you here”, but quickly added it was not yet desperation time.
With 4:38 left, now in desperation time, Witherspoon would pressure Maye, knock the ball away from him and into the hands of his teammate, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who would run it in for a touchdown, practically sealing the fate of Super Bowl 60.
Seattle’s resurrection to dominance was methodical and calculated, as John Schneider, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Seahawks, made many great acquisitions in the NFL Draft, free agency, and the coaching market. From the hirings of Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, to signing Darnold and Kupp in 2025 free agency to drafting players like Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, Smith-Njigba, and many others, Schneider’s construction allowed his team to flourish.
For Sam Darnold, the path to where he is now was one full of trials and tribulations. After being drafted third overall to the New York Jets in 2018, he never found himself in a winning situation or a true home, and when everyone thought he did, things took a turn for the worse, dropping the top spot in the NFC to Detroit and following it up with a four-interception game against the Rams in the first round of the 2024 playoffs
In the postgame interview, Darnold credited his family for where he is. “Just to be able to share a moment just now with my parents, my fiance [Katie]... They just believed in me throughout my entire career and I credit them for why I’m here”. In regard to how he feels after winning the Super Bowl, he said, “It’s not because of me, it’s because of the guys, the locker room, the coaches…. “It’s the perfect blend of people that are in that building… from [chairwoman] Jodie [Allen] all the way down.”
For Maye and the Patriots, this loss is devastating. However, Maye led his team to the Super Bowl in just his second season in the NFL, and it was coach Vrabel’s inaugural season. While sports offer no guarantees, especially in such a brutal and physical sport like football, they’re young and have room to grow, making them a championship contender for years to come.