Seahawks Defense Shuts Down the Patriots in a Super Bowl Win

The Seattle Seahawks defense does it all for them on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Super Bowl LX. “The Dark Side” is what the Seahawks’ defensive line has been called this season for their suffocating playstyle, much like the foggy weather in Seattle. This year, the Seahawks averaged holding their opponents to just 17 points, while averaging 28 points on the offensive end. 

Seattle broke records this Super Bowl, tying the second most sacks on a quarterback in the Super Bowl game, with six. Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback, couldn’t catch a break Sunday night as the Seahawks defense shut him and his receivers down, leaving them scoreless until the fourth quarter. “I’d like to go back to the beginning and redo it,” shared Maye in a post-game interview, according to ESPN.

The game was a defensive showout as eight of the Patriots’ first nine possessions ended with a punt on fourth down. But to New England’s credit, they were playing tough defense as well, with the Seahawks only scoring off of field goals for the first three quarters. The Seahawks were able to catch two interceptions, with one coming off a blitz action that hit Maye’s throwing arm, leaving the ball hurdling towards linebacker, Uchenna Nwosu, who ran it in for a touchdown. Both interceptions were caught back-to-back as “The Dark Side” continued to smother Maye.

The Patriots’ defense was able to keep out Seahawks receivers, but wasn’t good enough to keep them far enough back from the field goal with Seattle’s kicker, Jason Myers, going 5/5 on his kicks, scoring 17 points for the Seahawks, and setting a Super Bowl record for his perfect kicks. While many believe that Myers should’ve won MVP because he, just by himself, outscored the Patriots, it’s reasonable that Walker III won it. Without Walker III’s rushing yards, Myers wouldn’t have been set up to kick the field goals.

While the headlines everywhere have been for Seattle’s defense, their offense clearly played a huge part too, thanks to Walker III, who consistently wore down New England’s defense all night. The Patriots effectively shut down Seattle’s star receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but couldn’t contain Kenneth Walker III, Seattle’s running back, as he had 135 rushing yards on 27 carries and ultimately won the MVP of Super Bowl LX.

Walker III is the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos in 1997. Walker III’s 135 rushing yards were also the most by a player in a Super Bowl since Davis. “I wouldn’t guess that I would be the one winning MVP, so it’s a surreal moment,” said Walker III in a post-game interview, according to ESPN.

Sam Darnold, Seahawks quarterback, was efficient all game, avoiding turnovers and connecting with receiver AJ Barner down the stretch in a crucial touchdown pass to extend their lead and secure their victory. The Seahawks’ special teams also played a crucial role in avoiding mistakes and giving them big field position advantages. With strong punts and great kickoff coverage, the Seahawks were able to keep the Patriots far back, which fed right into their defensive plan.

The Patriots eventually scored two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the lead was too steep at that point, and time was no longer on their side as the Seahawks crushed the Patriots’ dreams of having a seventh Super Bowl win.