Redemption in the Bay: Seahawks Smother Patriots to Claim Super Bowl LX

Read Time:2 Minute, 53 Second

The “Legion of Boom” finally has a successor. On Sunday night, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the Seattle Seahawks claimed their second title in franchise history with a clinical 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots.

While the halftime show was defined by Bad Bunny’s vibrancy, the game itself was defined by Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense and a historic individual effort that brought the running back position back to the forefront of the sport.

“The Dark Side”: A Masterclass in Domination

The Seahawks’ defense, nicknamed “The Dark Side,” authored one of the most suffocating performances in Super Bowl history. They held the Patriots scoreless for the first 47 minutes of the game, keeping New England off the board until mid-way through the fourth quarter.

Pressure Cooker: Seattle tied a Super Bowl record with six sacks on Drake Maye. Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II notched two apiece, while rookie Rylie Mills and Pro-Bowler Devon Witherspoon each added one.
The Dagger: With the Patriots desperately trying to mount a late rally, Uchenna Nwosu provided the exclamation point, scooping up a Maye fumble caused by a Witherspoon hit and rumbling 45 yards for a touchdown to make it 29–7.
Shutting Down the Run: New England’s backfield duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson was held to a dismal 42 yards on 13 carries (3.2 ypc).

Kenneth Walker III: The MVP Who Broke the Drought

For the first time since Terrell Davis in 1998, a running back has been named Super Bowl MVP. Kenneth Walker III was the engine of a Seattle offense that focused on ball control and efficiency.

The Stat Line: 27 carries for 135 rushing yards and 2 catches for 26 yards (161 total scrimmage yards).
The “Softening” Process: Walker gashed the Patriots’ top-ranked run defense with back-to-back runs of 29 and 30 yards in the first half, setting the tone for the night.
Denied History: Walker was nearly the first player to have a 150-yard, 1-TD game in the Super Bowl since the 90s, but a 49-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was called back due to a holding penalty. Regardless, his performance was deemed the clear difference-maker.

Sam Darnold’s Full Circle Moment

While he didn’t win MVP, Sam Darnold completed one of the most remarkable career resurrections in NFL history. Seven years after being labeled a “bust” with the Jets, Darnold stood on the podium as a Super Bowl champion.

The Performance: Darnold was the ultimate “point guard,” finishing 20-of-31 for 202 yards and one touchdown (a 16-yard strike to tight end AJ Barner). Crucially, he committed zero turnovers, playing with the “Golden Retriever” resilience that teammates say united the locker room all season.
The Legacy: Darnold becomes just the fourth quarterback to win a Super Bowl in his first season with a new team, joining Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Trent Dilfer.

Super Bowl LX Box Score

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Seattle Seahawks	3	6	3	17	29
New England Patriots	0	0	0	13	13

Kicker Excellence: Jason Myers set a new Super Bowl record with five made field goals, providing almost all of Seattle’s scoring during the competitive portions of the game.
Patriots’ Stats: Drake Maye finished 27/48 for 295 yards and 2 TDs, but his four total turnovers (2 INT, 2 Fumble) proved insurmountable.