The Seattle Seahawks produced a devastating defensive display to beat the New England Patriots and claim their second Super Bowl victory.
Two of the NFL's strongest defenses battled it out in Sunday’s showpiece, and the Seahawks emphatically came out on top to win 29-13 at Levi's Stadium.
It was a defensive performance for the ages, with Briton Aden Durde playing a pivotal role, becoming the first overseas coach to win the United States' biggest game.
Seattle's 46-year-old defensive coordinator has helped create the most feared defense in the NFL, known as 'the Dark Side,' which showed its strength on football's largest stage in Santa Clara, California.
New England's second-year quarterback Drake Maye narrowly missed out on this season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award but was continually pressured by the Seahawks, who claimed six sacks and forced three turnovers in the game.
Seattle led 9-0 at halftime, and Maye’s first turnover resulted in the game’s first touchdown by tight end AJ Barner early in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu returned an interception for a 45-yard touchdown, while kicker Jason Meyers scored five field goals, leading to Seattle denying the Patriots a record seventh Super Bowl title.
Head coach Mike Macdonald stated, We were the better team; we're the best team. We loved each other, we believed in each other, and now we’re champions.
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Most of the 70,823 crowd seemed to favor Seattle, who entered as slight favorites, and their win marked a redemption story for quarterback Sam Darnold, who completed a remarkable comeback after being seen as a liability in previous seasons. His performance was complemented by a defense that was relentless in pressuring Maye.
New England experienced difficulties throughout the match, earning only four first downs before halftime and gaining just 52 total yards - leading to jokes on social media about Bad Bunny gaining more yards during his halftime show.
Vrabel, playing in his first Super Bowl as head coach, aimed to extend the Patriots' legacy following the departures of long-time QB Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. However, he and Maye faced a formidable opponent in Seattle and failed to capitalize on offensive opportunities.
Despite a late touchdown from Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots fell short, unable to secure their desired victory. The Seahawks' win allows them to forge a new narrative in NFL history, with fans hopeful for a bright future.
