Super Bowl XL: Seahawks Down Pats With Relative Ease

The Seattle Seahawks captured their second Super Bowl title by leaning heavily on their dominant defense, defeating the New England Patriots 29–13. Seattle sacked quarterback Drake Maye six times and forced three second-half turnovers, converting those mistakes into 17 points. The decisive moment came when linebacker Uchenna Nwosu returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, effectively sealing the game. Although the Patriots added a late touchdown, a failed two-point conversion and Seattle’s clock-killing drive closed out the win.

The victory capped a season in which Seattle fielded the league’s stingiest defense under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald. Standout performances included Derick Hall’s two sacks and forced fumble, Devon Witherspoon’s pressure that led to Nwosu’s pick-six, and consistent contributions across the defensive front. Offensively, the Seahawks were less explosive, not scoring a touchdown until the fourth quarter, but their ball security and timely plays proved sufficient given the defense’s control of the game.

Running back Kenneth Walker led Seattle’s offense with 135 rushing yards, while quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 202 yards and a touchdown without committing turnovers. Though his numbers were modest, Darnold’s steady play contrasted sharply with Maye’s costly mistakes. Maye still passed for 295 yards and showed continued development in his second season, offering optimism for New England’s future despite the loss.

For Darnold, the championship represented a career-defining redemption after early struggles with the Jets and stops with multiple teams before landing in Seattle. His Super Bowl victory establishes him as the starting quarterback of a championship team. With this win, the Seahawks enter the 2026 season aiming to accomplish what eluded them after their first title: a successful repeat as Super Bowl champions.