Super Bowl LX, which took place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featured a highly anticipated matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. This year’s big game drew 124.9 million viewers, peaking at 137.8 million: the highest in U.S. television history. Unfortunately, the game didn’t live up to the hype, as Seattle’s “Dark Side Defense” stifled the New England offense, led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Seattle’s hard-hitting unit and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker’s 135 rushing yards were more than enough for Seattle to secure the victory with a final score of 29-13 and lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
From the onset of the game, it was hard to tell whether the early score was indicative of Seattle’s dominating defense or Maye feeling the pressure. The young QB finished second in NFL MVP voting after an impressive 2025 campaign, throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. He never looked comfortable in the pocket, however, as Seattle’s defensive front kept disrupting New England’s offensive line. Maye finished with 295 yards, two TDs, two INTs, and a costly fumble near his own goal. One of his interceptions was returned 45 yards by Uchenna Nwosu for a “pick-6.” Much of Maye’s yardage came in garbage time, as the game was really never in doubt.
On the other hand, Seattle’s Sam Darnold, a former New York Jet who was the third pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, finally reached the mountaintop, something his many doubters never thought he could accomplish. After stints on four different teams, many wondered if he was destined to be an NFL journeyman quarterback. Darnold proved them wrong, however, leading Seattle to an NFC-best 14-3 record and impressive wins in the playoffs against their divisional rivals, the 49ers and Rams. Second-year coach Mike Macdonald built a team that was tough, gritty, and had a firm belief in themselves. Their team can now boast a Super Bowl championship and is set up to compete for many years to come. That said, while New England suffered a disappointing defeat, it is clear that they too are positioned to vie for a championship for the next decade with Maye at quarterback and with first-year coach and former player Mike Vrabel patrolling the sidelines.
Many considered this year’s contest to be a “revenge game” for the Seattle Seahawks, who famously lost Super Bowl XLIX to the Tom Brady-led Patriots in 2015. That game was decided by cornerback Malcolm Butler’s iconic interception at the goal line just as the Seahawks were on the verge of a game-winning touchdown, sealing the victory for the Patriots. Seattle Coach Pete Carroll’s decision to forego handing off the ball to juggernaut running back Marshawn Lynch and instead opt to throw the ball at the one-yard line led to one of the most famous and heartbreaking plays in NFL history. Seattle fans would have to wait 11 years to get some sense of satisfaction. It is safe to say that Seattle got its revenge—not to mention the Lombardi Trophy.
