SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Seattle Seahawks rode a dominant defensive performance to their second Super Bowl title, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Mike Macdonald’s unit sacked quarterback Drake Maye six times, forced three turnovers, and held the Patriots scoreless for nearly three quarters. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu each contributed to a pick-six that sealed the game late.
“We never waver, man. We believe in each other. We love each other, and now we’re world champions,” Macdonald said.
Running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards and was named Super Bowl MVP, the first running back to win the award since Terrell Davis in 1998.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, once labeled a bust, threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end AJ Barner in the third quarter and finished 19-of-38 for 202 yards without a turnover. Darnold became the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl.
“To do this with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. “So proud of our guys, our defense. I mean, I can’t say enough great things about our defense, our special teams.”
Kicker Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record by making all five of his field-goal attempts, from 33, 39, 41, 41, and 42 yards.
New England (17-4) punted on its first eight possessions excluding a kneel-down. Maye, the AP MVP runner-up, completed 21 of 37 passes for 204 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He found wide receiver Mack Hollins for a 35-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 19-7 in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots could not complete the comeback.
“Definitely hurts. They played better than us tonight,” Maye said.
Seattle’s defense forced a turnover on downs and two interceptions in the second half. Julian Love’s pick set up a field goal that made it 22-7. Nwosu’s 45-yard interception return for a touchdown off a deflected pass made it 29-7.
“We went through a lot, but we believed,” Witherspoon said. “All of you all doubters out there who said all that other stuff, you all don’t know what’s going on in this building. We’re one of one over here.”
Maye connected with Centennial High product Rhamondre Stevenson for a 7-yard touchdown with 1:03 left, but the Seahawks recovered the onside kick.
Seattle, which went 17-3, won its first Super Bowl 12 years ago behind the “Legion of Boom” defense. The franchise had not returned to the Super Bowl since losing to New England on Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception.
