Super Bowl 60 Recap: Seahawks Dominate Patriots with Defense-First Statement Win
Super Bowl 60 didn’t deliver the kind of fourth-quarter fireworks or jaw-dropping comebacks we’ve seen in recent years - but what it lacked in drama, it made up for in dominance. The Seattle Seahawks put together one of the most complete defensive performances in Super Bowl history, smothering the New England Patriots in a 29-13 win at Levi’s Stadium.
From the jump, Seattle dictated terms. This wasn’t just a team playing well - this was a defense that imposed its will, snap after snap, and never let New England breathe.
Six sacks, two takeaways, and a relentless pass rush that had rookie quarterback Drake Maye seeing ghosts before halftime. The Seahawks didn’t just win; they controlled the game in every phase.
A Defensive Clinic from Seattle
If you’re looking for a turning point, you won’t find one. That’s because Seattle’s defense never gave New England a chance to turn anything.
The tone was set early and reinforced often. Uchenna Nwosu’s 45-yard scoop-and-score off a Devon Witherspoon sack in the fourth quarter was the exclamation point - a play that perfectly captured Seattle’s night: fast, physical, and opportunistic.
NBC’s Mike Tirico, calling his first Super Bowl, didn’t hold back late in the game, calling it “one of the best performances in Super Bowl history” by the Seahawks. Hard to argue.
This wasn’t a fluke or a shootout. It was a methodical dismantling.
Seattle’s secondary played smart, disciplined zone coverage that took away New England’s deep threats and forced Maye to hold the ball longer than he wanted. Collinsworth pointed it out early - the Patriots' young quarterback was struggling to process against a defense that was disguising looks and collapsing the pocket with ruthless efficiency.
Maye’s Toughest Test Yet
To his credit, Maye kept swinging. He finished 27 of 43 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions - but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. He was under siege all night, and Seattle’s pressure made sure he never got comfortable.
When New England finally found the end zone early in the fourth quarter - a 35-yard strike to Mack Hollins - it felt more like a sigh of relief than the start of a comeback. Even Collinsworth, usually quick to find a spark of optimism, noted the uphill battle: “Two plays we’ve seen from the Patriots all year and they finally show up.”
Maye wasn’t the only one struggling. The Patriots’ offensive line couldn’t handle Seattle’s front seven, and their play-calling stayed conservative far too long.
Collinsworth even called for them to open things up earlier in the second half: “Maybe it’s time to spread it out, take some shots downfield, and see what happens.” By the time they did, it was already 19-7 and the game was slipping away.
Darnold Does What He Needs To
On the other side, Sam Darnold won’t be the headline - and that’s just fine with him. He played clean, efficient football.
Nothing flashy, but no mistakes. He finished 19 of 38 for 202 yards and a touchdown.
Most importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over - continuing a postseason trend that’s quietly defined Seattle’s run.
Darnold hit A.J. Barner for a 16-yard touchdown early and let the defense do the rest.
He knew the formula, and he stuck to it. “We could have been better on offense,” he said postgame, “but I don’t care right now.”
That’s the mindset of a quarterback who understands his role - and executes it to perfection.
Seattle also leaned on the reliable leg of Jason Myers, who drilled five field goals to keep the scoreboard moving. It wasn’t flashy, but it was relentless - and it was enough.
Christian Gonzalez a Lone Bright Spot
If there was one Patriot who stood out, it was cornerback Christian Gonzalez. He played lockdown coverage all night, breaking up multiple potential touchdowns - including key deflections on throws to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rasheed Shaheed.
Collinsworth was quick to point it out: “Ironic, isn’t it, that Christian Gonzalez has been their best player in this game? If not for the plays he made, it would be an absolute blowout.”
That’s high praise in a game where New England was otherwise overmatched at nearly every position.
NBC Keeps It Steady
The NBC broadcast team of Tirico and Collinsworth handled the one-sided nature of the game with poise. They didn’t try to manufacture drama, nor did they pile on the Patriots. Instead, they leaned into what was actually happening - a defensive masterclass from Seattle - and let the game speak for itself.
Production-wise, NBC delivered a clean, professional broadcast. Graphics were sharp, camera work was crisp, and the commentary stayed insightful without veering into overanalysis. Tirico’s call of the Nwosu touchdown was spot-on, and Collinsworth’s breakdowns gave viewers a clear picture of how Seattle was dismantling New England’s offense.
Seahawks Stay Loose, Focused - and Victorious
Postgame, the Seahawks were exactly what they’d been all week: confident, composed, and locked in. Head coach Mike Macdonald described the team’s energy as “loose and focused,” and that vibe came through both on the field and in interviews afterward.
They didn’t need bulletin-board material or hype videos. They just played their brand of football - tough, disciplined, and opportunistic - and it was more than enough.
As for the Patriots, they ran into a buzzsaw. The same one that chewed up the 49ers in Week 18 and again in the divisional round. Seattle’s defense is real, and it just authored one of the most dominant Super Bowl performances we’ve seen in a long time.
No, it wasn’t a thriller. But it was a statement. And the rest of the NFL got the message loud and clear.