The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions once again - and this time, they did it with a first-year head coach who’s quickly proving he’s built for the big stage. Mike MacDonald, the former Ravens defensive coordinator, capped off an incredible debut season by guiding the Seahawks to a 31-27 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60. It’s a full-circle moment for MacDonald, who took over a team with talent on both sides of the ball and molded it into a balanced, battle-tested unit that peaked when it mattered most.
Let’s start with the defense, because that’s where MacDonald made his name - and that’s where the Seahawks won this game. Seattle’s front seven was relentless, sacking Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye six times and keeping the pressure dialed up all night.
The Seahawks didn’t just get after Maye physically - they confused him mentally. They disguised coverages, mixed up blitzes, and forced him into two costly interceptions.
Maye still managed to throw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, but his 79.1 passer rating told the real story: Seattle made him work for every inch.
The Seahawks’ defensive game plan was textbook MacDonald. They held New England to just 79 rushing yards and limited the Patriots to a 6-for-15 conversion rate on third down - a key stat that often separates contenders from champions.
Stefon Diggs, one of Maye’s go-to targets all year, was a non-factor with just three catches for 37 yards. Mack Hollins led the Patriots with 78 yards and a touchdown, but Seattle never let New England’s offense find a consistent rhythm.
On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks didn’t light up the scoreboard, but they controlled the tempo and made the big plays when it counted. Sam Darnold, in what might be the biggest win of his career, went 19-of-38 for 202 yards, a touchdown, and a 74.7 passer rating. Those numbers won’t jump off the page, but Darnold managed the game well, avoided critical mistakes, and delivered in key moments.
The real star on offense was running back Kenneth Walker III, who carried the load with 27 bruising runs for 135 yards. His ability to churn out tough yards and keep the chains moving was crucial in helping Seattle stay ahead of schedule and keep Maye and the Patriots’ offense off the field. Walker’s performance was a throwback to classic Seahawks football - physical, gritty, and relentless.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his breakout season as a reliable target in the passing game, and while Cooper Kupp didn’t have a monster stat line - six catches for 61 yards on 12 targets - his presence helped open things up for others and kept the Patriots’ secondary honest.
This win was the culmination of a season where Seattle earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC by leaning into its identity: a physical defense, a punishing run game, and a passing attack that knows when to strike. MacDonald brought a Ravens-like toughness to the Pacific Northwest, and the results speak for themselves - a 14-3 regular season, an NFC title, and now a Lombardi Trophy.
For a franchise that’s seen its share of postseason highs and heartbreaks, this Super Bowl win feels like the beginning of a new era. MacDonald’s Seahawks aren’t just built to win now - they’re built to last.