The Seattle Seahawks produced a devastating defensive display to beat the New England Patriots and claim their second Super Bowl victory.
Two of the NFL's strongest defenses battled it out in Sunday's showpiece and the Seahawks emphatically came out on top to win 29-13 at Levi's Stadium.
It was a defensive performance for the ages, with Briton Aden Durde playing a pivotal role, becoming the first overseas coach to win the United States' biggest game. Seattle's 46-year-old defensive coordinator has helped create the most feared defense in the NFL, known as 'the Dark Side,' and they showed why on American football's biggest stage in Santa Clara, California.
New England's second-year quarterback Drake Maye narrowly missed out on this season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award but was stifled by the Seahawks, who claimed six sacks, forced three turnovers, and scored a defensive touchdown. After Seattle led 9-0 at halftime, Maye's first turnover resulted in the game's opening touchdown for tight end AJ Barner early in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu then returned an interception for a 45-yard touchdown, while Jason Meyers kicked a record five field goals as Seattle denied the Patriots a record seventh Super Bowl win.
We were the better team; we're the best team. We loved each other, we believed in each other and now we're champions, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told NBC.
We went to the dark side tonight. We love our players - they made it happen. They made it come to life.
Most of the 70,823 crowd seemed to favor Seattle, who came into the game as narrow favorites. Their win also means quarterback Sam Darnold completed his redemption story after being written off as a starting NFL quarterback.
Darnold, haunted by a comment he made in 2019 about 'seeing ghosts' against the Patriots, has exorcised those demons. Instead, it was Maye who suffered a nightmare as he faced the fast and physical defense that Durde and coach Macdonald crafted in their two seasons together.
In his impressive comeback season with the Seahawks, Darnold has now led them to the game's biggest prize after previously playing for four other teams.
The Patriots, seeking their seventh championship under their new coach Mike Vrabel, struggled offensively and were unable to gain momentum against Seattle's defense. Despite Maye finding Mack Hollins for a touchdown, the Patriots' offense was largely subdued as the Seahawks continued to dominate.
This victory marks a significant chapter in Seahawks history, showcasing their powerful defense and the resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold.
Two of the NFL's strongest defenses battled it out in Sunday's showpiece and the Seahawks emphatically came out on top to win 29-13 at Levi's Stadium.
It was a defensive performance for the ages, with Briton Aden Durde playing a pivotal role, becoming the first overseas coach to win the United States' biggest game. Seattle's 46-year-old defensive coordinator has helped create the most feared defense in the NFL, known as 'the Dark Side,' and they showed why on American football's biggest stage in Santa Clara, California.
New England's second-year quarterback Drake Maye narrowly missed out on this season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award but was stifled by the Seahawks, who claimed six sacks, forced three turnovers, and scored a defensive touchdown. After Seattle led 9-0 at halftime, Maye's first turnover resulted in the game's opening touchdown for tight end AJ Barner early in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu then returned an interception for a 45-yard touchdown, while Jason Meyers kicked a record five field goals as Seattle denied the Patriots a record seventh Super Bowl win.
We were the better team; we're the best team. We loved each other, we believed in each other and now we're champions, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told NBC.
We went to the dark side tonight. We love our players - they made it happen. They made it come to life.
Most of the 70,823 crowd seemed to favor Seattle, who came into the game as narrow favorites. Their win also means quarterback Sam Darnold completed his redemption story after being written off as a starting NFL quarterback.
Darnold, haunted by a comment he made in 2019 about 'seeing ghosts' against the Patriots, has exorcised those demons. Instead, it was Maye who suffered a nightmare as he faced the fast and physical defense that Durde and coach Macdonald crafted in their two seasons together.
In his impressive comeback season with the Seahawks, Darnold has now led them to the game's biggest prize after previously playing for four other teams.
The Patriots, seeking their seventh championship under their new coach Mike Vrabel, struggled offensively and were unable to gain momentum against Seattle's defense. Despite Maye finding Mack Hollins for a touchdown, the Patriots' offense was largely subdued as the Seahawks continued to dominate.
This victory marks a significant chapter in Seahawks history, showcasing their powerful defense and the resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold.
