Seahawks' "Dark Side" Defense Dominates Patriots in Super Bowl 60 Statement Win
In a Super Bowl where defense took center stage, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t just show up - they took over. With a smothering, relentless performance, Seattle’s defense - fittingly dubbed the “Dark Side” - overwhelmed the New England Patriots en route to a 29-13 victory in Super Bowl 60, locking down the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.
From the opening whistle in Santa Clara, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a shootout. The Seahawks’ defense, which had already powered the team to the NFC’s top seed, saved its best for the biggest stage. And while they didn’t quite pitch the first shutout in Super Bowl history, holding the Patriots scoreless through three quarters was more than enough to cement their legacy.
Maye Meets the “Dark Side”
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye came into this game with momentum - nearly snagging NFL MVP honors in just his second season - but Seattle made sure any celebration was short-lived. The Seahawks unleashed a diverse, unpredictable pass rush that kept Maye guessing and, more often than not, running for his life.
Seattle’s defensive front went to work early, exploiting the left side of New England’s offensive line. Rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson were thrown into the fire, and the Seahawks made them feel the heat.
By halftime, the Patriots had managed just 51 total yards - the third-lowest total in Super Bowl history - and only four first downs. Maye was sacked six times on the night, narrowly missing the all-time Super Bowl record, and never found a rhythm.
Hall, Barner Spark the Breakthrough
The game’s momentum-shifting moment came late in the third quarter. Edge rusher Derick Hall broke through with a strip-sack on Maye, and Byron Murphy II pounced on the loose ball. Five plays later, tight end AJ Barner hauled in a 16-yard touchdown - the first of the game - to give Seattle a commanding lead and break open what had been a gritty, low-scoring affair.
Maye momentarily responded with a flash of brilliance, connecting with wide receiver Mack Hollins twice on a quick scoring drive, including a 35-yard touchdown strike. That score denied Seattle the historic shutout, but the comeback hopes were short-lived.
On the very next possession, Maye tried to force a throw and was picked off by safety Julian Love. And with the Patriots pressing late in the fourth, Devon Witherspoon came flying in off the edge, forcing a hurried throw that Uchenna Nwosu snagged and returned 45 yards for a touchdown - the final dagger in New England’s hopes.
Patriots’ Defense Shows Up, But Darnold Avoids Disaster
To their credit, the Patriots’ defense brought plenty of heat themselves. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold was under pressure all night, with New England dialing up blitzes to keep him uncomfortable. But Darnold did what he needed to do: avoid the big mistake.
He finished 19-of-38 for 202 yards - not eye-popping numbers, but he kept the offense moving just enough. That’s a notable step forward for a quarterback who led the league in turnovers during the regular season. In this one, he managed the game, absorbed hits, and kept the ball out of harm’s way.
Seattle leaned on the ground game to help stabilize the offense. Kenneth Walker III ripped off several timely runs, helping the Seahawks build a 9-0 halftime lead behind three Jason Myers field goals. Myers would go on to add two more in the second half, setting a new Super Bowl record with five made field goals - a quiet but crucial contribution in a game where every point mattered.
A New Chapter in Seahawks History
When Mike Macdonald took over the reins from Pete Carroll two years ago, he inherited a legacy - and a shadow. Carroll’s “Legion of Boom” defined a generation of Seahawks football, winning a title in 2013 and nearly repeating the next year. But Macdonald’s “Dark Side” defense has now earned its own place in franchise lore.
This group may not have the household names or the highlight-reel swagger of the Legion, but what they lack in star power, they make up for in cohesion, versatility, and sheer impact. On Sunday night, they didn’t just win - they made a statement.
And perhaps no opponent could have made that statement more poetic. The Seahawks’ last Super Bowl appearance came against these same Patriots in the 2014 season, ending in heartbreak with the infamous goal-line interception. This time, Seattle flipped the script - delivering a performance that exorcised old demons and ushered in a new era.
Patriots’ Rise Meets a Wall
For New England, the loss stings - not just because it came on the sport’s biggest stage, but because it halted what had been a remarkable turnaround. Head coach Mike Vrabel, fresh off an NFL Coach of the Year award, had guided the Patriots to a 10-win improvement and a shot at a record-setting seventh Lombardi Trophy.
But on Sunday, the Patriots looked more like a team still building than one ready to reclaim dynasty status. Maye’s struggles were a reminder that even the most promising young quarterbacks can hit a wall under playoff pressure. And while Vrabel’s defense gave his team a chance, the offense simply couldn’t keep up.
Even 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan - who lost out to Vrabel for Coach of the Year - offered a telling pregame quote that seemed prophetic. Asked about Seattle’s defense, he quipped, “I haven’t scored a touchdown on these guys the last two times we’ve played them, so I don’t know how good that is.”
Turns out, it was a pretty good indicator.
Final Word
Seattle’s win wasn’t flashy, but it was dominant - a complete team effort anchored by a defense that’s now etched in Super Bowl history. For Macdonald and the Seahawks, it’s not just about winning a title. It’s about building a new identity, one that honors the past while forging something entirely their own.
And if Sunday night was any indication, the “Dark Side” is just getting started.