- - Super Bowl 2026: Seahawks ride dominant defense to blowout of Patriots, second title in franchise history

Frank Schwab February 9, 2026 at 12:13 PM

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When the Seattle Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald to be their head coach two years ago, it came at a time when most teams were looking for the next young offensive genius to lead their team.

But Macdonald had a reputation. The “defensive Sean McVay” was mentioned a few times about Macdonald, who was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator before he was hired by Seattle.

In Super Bowl LX, Macdonald proved the Seahawks right. Betting on coaches who know how to slow down the NFL’s best offenses can also be a championship formula.

The Seahawks won the second Super Bowl championship in franchise history, and followed the same formula as the first title under the “Legion of Boom” with a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium.

They had a defensive performance for the ages, completely shutting down Drake Maye and the New England offense in a game that was rarely competitive because the Patriots couldn’t move the ball. The Seahawks allowed 331 total yards, plenty of which came in the fourth quarter with the outcome mostly decided.

When A.J. Barner scored a 16-yard touchdown on a pass from Sam Darnold early in the fourth quarter, this Super Bowl finally had a touchdown and the Seahawks had a commanding 19-0 lead. The low-scoring game wasn’t aesthetically pleasing to the worldwide audience, but the Seahawks won’t make any excuses when they raise a banner next September.

In that first Seattle championship, the Seahawks scored 43 points and blew out the Denver Broncos. They didn’t need nearly as many points to dominate the Patriots in another Super Bowl 12 years later. But the result was equally impressive.

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)Seahawks’ defense is stifling

When the Seahawks won the first Super Bowl title in franchise history, the headliner was their defense. They almost shut out Peyton Manning and the Broncos, which had set an NFL regular-season record with 606 points scored.

The Seahawks weren’t facing an offensive juggernaut like the 2013 Broncos on Sunday, but the Patriots were second in points scored and third in yards in the regular season. And they looked horrible against Seattle.

Macdonald sent different blitzes at the Patriots and New England couldn’t block any of them. Maye was under pressure often. He took three sacks in the first half. On the rare occasion he had time to throw, he was inaccurate. Maye hurt his right shoulder in the AFC championship game and that was a question in the lead-up to Super Bowl LX, and it seemed like it could have been affecting him. Seattle’s scheme was clearly affecting him and the rest of the Patriots’ offense.

The bright spot for the Patriots was despite the offense doing nothing, they still hung around in the game. They gave up some yards, particularly to Kenneth Walker III on the ground, but they held the Seahawks to field goals in four long drives. The Seahawks led 9-0 at halftime and extended that to 12-0 early in the third quarter.

The Patriots weren’t having trouble just scoring points. They were having trouble simply picking up first downs. When the Patriots got a first down on a defensive holding call with about a minute left in the third quarter, it had been about an hour-and-a-half between first downs. Even accounting for a long Bad Bunny halftime show, it was a remarkable display of offensive ineptitude. And defensive prowess.

Both teams finally get in end zone

The Patriots got on the board in the fourth quarter, after Barner had scored the game’s first touchdown. Maye hit some passes and got a 35-yard touchdown to Mack Hollins. The Patriots still trailed 19-7 but for the first time they had some signs of life.

To that point, the Seahawks’ offense had been better than New England’s offense, but it still hadn’t been very good. The Patriots forced a punt right after Hollins’ touchdown and Maye had a long scramble to get a drive going. But Maye, who had started forcing the ball downfield in the fourth quarter, threw one to the middle of the field and Seahawks safety Julian Love had an easy interception. With less than nine minutes remaining, that practically wrapped up the win for Seattle. An interception for a 44-yard touchdown by Uchenna Nwosu put a bow on the performance.

The Seahawks went 14-3 in the regular season, losing three games by nine combined points. They dominated the 49ers in the divisional round, got an impressive NFC championship game win over the Los Angeles Rams and then shut down the Patriots in the Super Bowl. All season, one of the themes had been that there was no great team during this season.

The Seahawks might not have had the prettiest Super Bowl victory. But they were great for most of the season, and especially when Macdonald’s defense handled Maye and the Patriots in a lopsided Super Bowl win.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER72 updates - Mon, February 9, 2026 at 2:53 PM GMT+9Yahoo Sports StaffSeahawks soaking it in

Champagne goggles are out pic.twitter.com/YSNzBvCGBS

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 9, 2026

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM GMT+9Yahoo Sports StaffDeMarcus Lawrence backs up bold talk

On his way out of Dallas, Lawrence said he’d never win a Super Bowl in Dallas.

Now he’s won one in his first year with Seattle.

DeMarcus Lawrence is now a Super Bowl champion… in Seattle 😮‍💨(🎥: Hawk Blogger) pic.twitter.com/3h7JZ5XOcI

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 9, 2026

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 1:49 PM GMT+9Yahoo Sports StaffKlint Kubiak confirms he's taking the Raiders coaching job

Right after wrapping up a Super Bowl title as offensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Klint Kubiak confirmed he’s headed to Las Vegas to take over as Raiders head coach.

That backs up previous reports.

"Hell yeah, I'm going [to Las Vegas.]"Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak confirms with @StaceyDales that he will be the next coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. pic.twitter.com/DEtOPhXbMM

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 9, 2026

Mon, February 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM GMT+9Chris CwikKen Walker wins Super Bowl MVP

It’s been 28 years since a running back took home the Super Bowl MVP award. But that changed Sunday, as Kenneth Walker III was named the MVP of Super Bowl 60.

Walker was a force throughout the game, finishing the contest with 131 rushing yards and 26 receiving yards.

Read more here.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 12:33 PM GMT+9Chris CwikSam Darnold channels Kevin Garnett in post-game interview

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been doubted many times during his NFL career. But all of that has been erased after Darnold helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title Sunday.

Darnold spoke about his journey after the 29-13 win, and managed to channel Kevin Garnett in the process.

Sam Darnold’s final line to Melissa Stark in his postgame interview: “As long as you believe in yourself, anything’s possible.”

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 9, 2026

Darnold was asked about struggling early in his career and bouncing around the league before finding his football. He responded, “As long as you believe in yourself, anything’s possible.”

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 12:23 PM GMT+9Chris CwikSeahawks win Super Bowl 60

The Seahawks have done it. Led by a dominant defense and tremendous special teams, the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60.

It was a truly dominant performance by the Seahawks’ defense, which racked up six sacks and two interceptions in the win. The entire defense played well enough to win the MVP award and Jason Myers kicked an NFL-record five field goals. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson had two clutch punts to pin the Patriots back late.

With the win, it marks the first Seahawks win in the Super Bowl since the 2013 NFL season.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 12:11 PM GMT+9Chris CwikPatriots manage a late score

With 2:20 to go, the Patriots are on the board again. Drake Maye managed to find Rhamandre Stevenson with a short pass for a touchdown.

The ball nearly hit the ground, but Stevenson managed to snag it before it touched. He waltzed in for the score.

Rhamondre makes the catch for a New England touchdown with 2:21 remaining Super Bowl LX on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/UblcJHTf6x

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

The Patriots failed to convert the 2-point conversion, making it 29-13 Seattle.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 12:02 PM GMT+9Chris CwikSeahawks run back a Drake Maye interception for another score

It’s only fitting that the Seattle Seahawks’ defense delivered the dagger Sunday. With the Patriots desperate for points, Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu snagged an interception and took it all the way to the endzone for a late score.

That put the Seahawks up 29-7 with four minutes to play.

SEAHAWKS DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN FOR UCHENNA NWOSU OMGSuper Bowl LX on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/9FPzCiciQt

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

Barring a miraculous comeback, that touchdown may have been the final nail in the coffin.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:56 AM GMT+9Chris CwikAnother field goal for Seattle

The Seahawks continue to add to their lead in Super Bowl 60. Jason Myers hit a Super Bowl record fifth field goal, putting the Seahawks up 22-7 with six minutes to go.

Myers has been nails all night, hitting all five of his attempts.

Jason Myers drills his 5th field goal of the game, a new Super Bowl record!Super Bowl LX on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/9OiXZTCWW7

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

Special teams has played a major role in the Seahawks’ lead, as the team’s coverage and punt units have also come up big in the contest.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:52 AM GMT+9Chris CwikJulian Love intercepts Drake Maye

The Patriots’ comeback is over just as it was getting started. With the team in comeback mode, Drake Maye threw a bad interception to Seahawks safety Julian Love.

Love managed a nice return, setting up the Seahawks in excellent field position.

35-YARD INTERCEPTION RETURN 🚨 @_jlove20📺: SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/xhikG5b7bZ

— xz* - Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) February 9, 2026

Seattle leads 19-7 with six minutes to play.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:47 AM GMT+9Chris CwikSeahawks pin Patriots deep thanks to excellent punt

The Patriots finally showed some life on offense in the fourth quarter … but it wasn’t long before the Seahawks bounced back. While Seattle didn’t score on the next drive, the team did pin the Patriots deep in their own territory with a punt.

WHAT. A. BOUNCE.Seahawks pin the Patriots at the 1!Super Bowl LX on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/Ocu41AwlCg

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

After a review, the ball was downed at the 4-yard line.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:43 AM GMT+9Chris CwikPatriots answer back with quick score

Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense are alive … finally. Maye hit Mack Hollins on a deep touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to make it 19-7.

Patriots are on the board following a 35-yard Mack Hollins score with 12:27 to go.Super Bowl LX on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/WbgDaLW1d3

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

There was some debate over whether the Patriots should have gone for two, but the team opted for the extra point.

Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:36 AM GMT+9Ben FawkesAJ Barner (12-1) scores first TD of the game

The odds for no touchdown scored in Super Bowl 60 were 125-1 at BetMGM sportsbooks.

We won’t get that, though, as AJ Barner just scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold for the first TD in the game. Barner had 12-1 odds to score the game’s first TD.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM GMT+9Chris CwikSeahawks breakthrough with a touchdown

The Seattle Seahawks are running away with Super Bowl 60. With the team already up 12-0, Sam Darnold found AJ Barner with a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Seahawks managed to hit the extra point, going up 19-0.

Darnold dot.Super Bowl LX on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/cxGVIYyP1r

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

Given how dominant the Seahawks’ defense has played so far, that feels like an insurmountable lead. The Patriots need to show something now or this game is already over.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:24 AM GMT+9Chris CwikSeahawks finally force turnover

It felt like a matter of time before the Seattle Seahawks’ defense made a big play. That happened as the third quarter wound to a close, as the Seahawks forced and recovered a Drake Maye fumble.

The play came with just 10 seconds remaining in the quarter. Derick Hall managed to get through the offensive line and swipe the ball away from Maye’s hand as Maye was trying to get away.

This Seattle defense is dominant. pic.twitter.com/JA7V2oDloV

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 9, 2026

It was Seattle’s fifth sack of the game. It’s been a dominant performance from the Seahawks so far, as the team has yet to allow a single point.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:13 AM GMT+9Chris CwikSeahawks defense continues to suffocate Patriots

Can an entire defense with the Super Bowl MVP award? The Seattle Seahawks are certainly making that case.

Seattle continues to stop the Patriots dead in their tracks when on offense. The Seahawks managed that again in the third quarter, racking up their fourth sack and pressuring Drake Maye enough to get him off rhythm.

It’s been an impressive performance from the entire Seahawks defense, one that the rest of the NFL is no doubt taking notes on right now.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 11:02 AM GMT+9Chris CwikPatriots stall out again

The New England Patriots are gonna need to get things moving on offense before it’s too late. But that’s not going to happen early in the third quarter.

The Patriots once again went three-and-out to open the quarter. This one was even more frustrating, as the team had a 3rd and 1 and Drake Maye missed an open receiver. The Patriots aren’t in a place where the team needs to rush it, and did not try for a 4th-down conversion.

But it won’t be long before the Pats start getting more desperate on offense, especially if Seattle can manage another score.

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 10:53 AM GMT+9Chris CwikKen Walker continues to be a playmaker

If Seattle Seahawks running back Ken Walker can perform like he did in the first half, the Seahawks will walk away from this game as Super Bowl champions.

Walker showed no signs of slowing down on the team’s first drive of the second half, making multiple tough plays to push the Seahawks down the field.

Walker’s biggest play came on a screen pass in which he shook off a defender to rumble for 20 yards. Walker also had another carry in which he appeared to be stopped in the backfield before breaking a tackle and making a move to gain positive yardage. It wasn’t a big highlight play, but it was emblematic of the game he’s having so far.

The Seahawks stalled out after Walker was taken off the field to rest, but still managed a field goal to extend their lead to 12-0.

Mon, February 9, 2026 at 10:48 AM GMT+9Jason OwensKey stats from dominant Seahawks first half

The second half is underway. And the first-half numbers were not pretty for the Patriots.

Seattle’s defense is dominating this game and is less than 30 minutes away from securing its spot among the all-time greats. Sam Darnold’s not doing much. But he doesn’t have to with Kenneth Walker pacing the Seahawks’ offense.

First-half stats:

PatriotsDrake Maye: 6 of 11, 48 yards; 0 TDs or TOs; 3 sacks for 30 yards lostRhamondre Stevenson: 7 carries for 23 yardsTreVeyon Henderson: 2 carries for 0 yardsKayshon Boutte: 1 catch for 21 yards

SeahawksSam Darnold: 9 of 22, 88 yards; 0 TDs or TOs, 0 sacks takenKenneth Walker: 14 carries for 94 yardsCooper Kupp: 4 catches for 44 yardsJaxon Smith-Njigba: 1 catch for 4 yards

Team stats

Patriots offense: 51 yards on 2 yards per playSeahawks offense: 183 yards on 4.7 yards per play

Patriots punts: 5 Seahawks punts: 3

Patriots turnovers: 0Seahawks turnovers: 0

- Mon, February 9, 2026 at 10:43 AM GMT+9Jason OwensBad Bunny: 'God bless America'

Bad Bunny closed with a message of unity.

Flanked by the flags of the U.S. and his native Puerto Rico and others of the Americas, Bad Bunny declared “God Bless America.” He then listed off the names of nations in South, Central and North America, closing with Mexico, the United States and Canada before shouting out Puerto Rico.

He then spiked a football with the message: “Together, we are America.”

bad bunny citando toda países da américa pro estados cunidos pic.twitter.com/5Fr8a4k601

— luscas (@luscas) February 9, 2026

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Source: “AOL Sports”