How the Seahawks’ Defense Cracked the Code in Super Bowl LX
When the confetti settled on Seattle’s 29-13 win over New England in Super Bowl LX, it wasn’t just the scoreboard that told the story - it was the way the Seahawks’ defense dictated terms from the opening snap. And according to the players themselves, that dominance wasn’t just about raw talent or effort. It was about preparation, recognition, and capitalizing on tendencies.
Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon hinted at it right after the win: the Seahawks had a solid read on what the Patriots wanted to do offensively. And on Thursday, safety Julian Love added some depth to that claim during an interview on NFL Network. He didn’t go as far as to say they had New England’s playbook memorized, but he admitted the defense started picking up on patterns early - and once they did, the momentum was all theirs.
“I could say that we had it all figured out, but we kinda didn’t,” Love said. “You never know what’s gonna come up.
You have two weeks to prepare; they’re a great team. Early on, we just saw a certain style, and as we got more confident, we were playing looser and faster.”
That confidence showed. Seattle’s defense came out swinging, and it didn’t take long to identify a weak link - or in this case, two.
The Patriots started a pair of rookies on the left side of their offensive line: tackle Will Campbell and guard Jared Wilson. The Seahawks clearly targeted that side of the line, and the results were brutal.
Campbell gave up 14 pressures - the most by any offensive lineman in a playoff game since 2018. It later came out that he was playing through a ligament tear in his knee, which may explain some of the struggles, but Seattle didn’t let up.
Quarterback Drake Maye, also in his first full season as a starter, took the brunt of the pressure. He was sacked six times and turned the ball over three times - once on a fumble and twice via interceptions. The Seahawks didn’t just fluster the young QB; they dissected him.
NFL Films cameras even caught a moment on the sideline between Love and fellow safety Coby Bryant, where Love pointed out a mechanical tell in Maye’s game.
“He’s a classic young quarterback,” Love said. “He’s got a hitch you can spot on pass plays.”
That hitch - a slight delay or movement in Maye’s throwing motion - was something Love had noticed during film study leading up to the game. But seeing it live, in the moment, confirmed what he’d suspected.
“I saw some things in prep for the game, but you never know until you’re actually out there,” Love said. “I picked up something early that I felt from prep.
On the sideline, I tried to cover my mic - didn’t want to seem like I was talking trash - but I told Coby, ‘This is what I’m seeing. Take this and go make a play.
And if you don’t, I will.’”
That’s the kind of communication that separates good defenses from great ones. It’s not just about reacting - it’s about anticipating. Seeing something on tape, confirming it in real time, and making the adjustment within the flow of the game.
The Seahawks' defense pitched a shutout through the first three quarters of the Super Bowl. By the time New England found the end zone, the damage had already been done. Seattle’s game plan, built on smart prep and in-game execution, had taken full control.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a defensive masterclass. And if you ask Julian Love and the rest of that secondary, it started well before they stepped onto the field.