Eleven years is a long time to hold a grudge. But for the Seattle Seahawks, the wait was worth every second.
Super Bowl LX was hyped up for its 60th anniversary and potential half-time show in a politically volatile time. It was even the second most-watched, ever. But the real story was the decade-long redemption arc that began with a heartbreak on the goal line in Phoenix and ended with a dominant coronation in Santa Clara.
On Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, the Seahawks dismantled the New England Patriots 29-13. It wasn’t close, and the win served as the ultimate resurrection for Sam Darnold, who transitioned from draft bust to Super Bowl champ. The tactical masterpiece for Mike Macdonald also certified his Dark Side defense as the successor to the Legion of Boom.
A defensive masterclass in Santa Clara
Sport is all about stories, and the protagonist of this game was Seattle’s defensive front. From the first whistle, the Seahawks’ Dark Side unit lived up to its billing. They subjected New England’s young star Drake Maye to relentless pressure. Seattle recorded six sacks and forced three critical turnovers in the game. That meant the Patriots didn’t even sniff the scoreboard until the final quarter.
The defensive dominance may well uproot some of the NFL hierarchy. Macdonald’s positionless pressure packages were simply more effective against young QBs than traditional man-to-man coverage. But, as with all approaches in the NFL, it’s cyclical.
The Seahawks came into the game as only slight favorites. Those who followed the lines at Odds Scanner USA would have seen the value in a Seattle defense that had been comfortably dominant throughout the 2025 season. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was a constant menace. He recorded a sack-fumble that led right into Seattle’s first touchdown, while the presence of Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II made the Patriots’ run game very much elusive.
Kenneth Walker III and the return of the bell-cow back
High-flying aerial attacks have been all the rage, but Kenneth Walker III provided a very refreshing throwback to old-school football. Again, it’s cyclical. Racing the Super Bowl MVP honors, Walker was the first to get the award since the 90s when Terrell Davis won it. He was the engine of the Seattle offense, pumping out 135 rushing yards on 27 carries. By consistently gaining yards on first down, Walker neutered New England’s ability to use their nickel-blitz packages. The result was a forced hand into a predictable, base-heavy defensive shell.
Walker’s aptitude in contriving up dirty yards against a relatively disciplined New England front meant the Seahawks could control the clock for over 33 minutes. His consistency helped take some weight off Sam Darnold’s shoulders. That allowed the veteran QB to play a mistake-free game (19/38 for 202 yards and a touchdown). The stats weren’t flashy, but the efficiency was exactly what Seattle needed to keep the Patriots’ defense on the field and tired.
The record-setting Jason Myers
While the defense held the line, kicker Jason Myers was responsible for keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Given that the Seahawks did struggle to convert red-zone trips into touchdowns early on, Myers was undoubtedly flawless. He set a new Super Bowl record by converting five field goals, helping cap off his historic 206-point season. This extreme reliance on the kicking game shows a lingering inefficiency in the Seahawks’ low-red offense that may need a personnel shakeup towards a bigger-bodied receiving threat in the offseason.
The final whistle
The Patriots finally found something to chew on in the fourth quarter when Drake Maye and Mack Hollins connected for a 35-yard touchdown. The lead was slashed to 19-7. While it was all too late, there was a brief moment where the prospect of a comeback loomed. That hope was quickly extinguished when Uchenna Nwosu intercepted a desperate Maye heave and returned it 45 yards for a pick-six touchdown. It was over. The Seahawks have their second Lombardi Trophy, and the ghosts of 2015 have finally been laid to rest.
