The Seattle Seahawks delivered a defensive masterclass to defeat the New England Patriots 29–13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, claiming the second Super Bowl title in franchise history and reaffirming defence as a championship-winning formula.
In a contest billed as a clash between two of the NFL’s best defensive units, it was Seattle’s fearsome “Dark Side” that dominated on the sport’s biggest stage. The Seahawks sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times, forced three turnovers and scored a decisive defensive touchdown to extinguish any hopes of a New England comeback.
Seattle Seahawks’s victory was built on discipline, pressure and patience. With touchdowns hard to come by in the early stages, kicker Jason Myers kept the scoreboard ticking over, drilling a Super Bowl-record five field goals as the Seahawks established a 9–0 halftime lead.
The game finally burst into life early in the fourth quarter. After a forced turnover, quarterback Sam Darnold found tight end AJ Barner for a 16-yard touchdown- the first of the night- to stretch Seattle’s advantage. Moments later, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu intercepted Maye and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown, a play that epitomised Seattle’s defensive dominance and effectively sealed the championship.
Kenneth Walker III was named Super Bowl MVP after a relentless rushing performance, carrying the ball 27 times for 135 yards. His physical running kept the Patriots pinned deep in their own territory and allowed Seattle to control the tempo throughout the game.
For Darnold, the win completed a remarkable personal redemption story. Once written off after struggles with multiple franchises, the 28-year-old quarterback captured football immortality in his first season with Seattle, playing mistake-free football and delivering when opportunities arose.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said afterwards. “This team believed in me from day one, and our defence was unbelievable.”
The Seahawks’ defence was masterminded by head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who made history as the first British-born coordinator to win a Super Bowl. Their aggressive schemes and constant pressure left Maye rattled throughout the night, limiting New England to just four first downs in the first half and no points until the final quarter.
Also Read: Every Super Bowl Halftime Show Performer (1967-2026): Complete List Of Stars
Maye briefly reignited hope for the Patriots with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Mack Hollins, but consecutive interceptions soon followed, underlining a frustrating night for the 23-year-old quarterback, who had been a leading MVP contender during the regular season.
New England, chasing a record seventh Super Bowl title under head coach Mike Vrabel, were unable to establish a running game or involve star receiver Stefon Diggs, as Seattle’s defence smothered every avenue of attack.
The Seahawks’ triumph echoed their first Super Bowl win in 2014, when the famed “Legion of Boom” defence dismantled the Denver Broncos. Twelve years later, a new generation of defensive stars has delivered a similar statement.
“We believed in each other all season,” Macdonald said. “We went to the dark side tonight- and our players brought it to life.”
In a season often described as lacking a dominant team, Seattle saved their best performance for last. It may not have been the most glamorous Super Bowl, but it was a ruthless, complete display- and one that crowned the Seahawks as deserved champions once again.
