Seahawks experience their ‘Darkish Aspect’ protection to a Tremendous Bowl title, pounding the Patriots 29-13 – One America Information Community

[ad_1] By ROB MAADDIUpdated 9:04 PM PST, February 8, 2026

<img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/darnold.webp" alt="Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)" class="wp-image-760344" srcset="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/darnold.webp 800w, https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/darnold-400x267.webp 400w, https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/darnold-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/> Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after a win over the New England Patriots within the NFL Tremendous Bowl 60 soccer recreation, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The “Darkish Aspect” protection carried Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks to a Lombardi Trophy.

Devon Witherspoon, Derick Corridor, Byron Murphy and the remainder of Mike Macdonald’s ferocious unit pummeled Drake Maye, and the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win the franchise’s second Tremendous Bowl.

“We by no means waver, man. We imagine in one another. We love one another, and now we’re world champions,” Macdonald mentioned.

Darnold threw a landing move to AJ Barner, Kenneth Walker III ran for 135 yards and Jason Myers set a Tremendous Bowl document by making all 5 of his field-goal tries.

“To do that with this staff, I wouldn’t need it another means,” Darnold mentioned. “So happy with our guys, our protection. I imply, I can’t say sufficient nice issues about our protection, our particular groups.”

Walker grew to become the primary working again to win the Tremendous Bowl MVP award since Corridor of Famer Terrell Davis did it with Denver 28 years in the past.

Uchenna Nwosu punctuated a punishing defensive efficiency by snagging Maye’s move within the air after Witherspoon hit his arm and working it again 45 yards for a pick-6.

“We went by way of so much, however we believed,” Witherspoon mentioned. “All of you all doubters on the market who mentioned all that different stuff, you all don’t know what’s occurring on this constructing. We’re one in every of one over right here.”

Seattle received its first Tremendous Bowl a dozen years in the past behind its “Legion of Increase” protection, then was denied a repeat when New England’s Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson on the aim line. The Seahawks hadn’t been again to the Tremendous Bowl since.

Darnold turn out to be the primary quarterback within the 2018 NFL draft class to win a Tremendous Bowl, forward of Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson.

Labeled a bust, dumped by two groups and regarded expendable by two others, Darnold proved his doubters mistaken whereas serving to the Seahawks go 17-3.

After main the NFL with 20 turnovers within the common season, Darnold didn’t have any in three playoff video games. He wasn’t notably sharp in opposition to a stable Patriots protection however protected the ball and made sufficient performs, ending 19 of 38 for 202 yards.

“I do know we received the Tremendous Bowl, however we might have been somewhat bit higher on offense, however I don’t care about that proper now,” Darnold mentioned. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, man. I’m simply so completely happy for the fellows within the locker room and the coaches that put in a lot effort all through the entire season.”

The Seahawks sacked Maye six occasions, together with two apiece by Corridor and Murphy. Corridor’s strip-sack late within the third quarter arrange a brief subject and Darnold linked with Barner on 16-yard scoring toss to make it 19-0.

Julian Love’s interception arrange one other subject aim that made it 22-7 with 5:35 left.

The Patriots (17-4) punted on the primary eight drives, excluding a kneel-down to finish the primary half.

“Simply reminding them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is an extended, profitable relationship and program, and it’s OK to be dissatisfied,” New England coach Mike Vrabel mentioned.

Down 19-0, Maye and the Patriots’ offense lastly obtained going. He hit Mack Hollins over the center in visitors for twenty-four yards after which lofted an ideal 35-yard TD move to Hollins down the left facet to chop the deficit to 19-7.

Tom Brady as soon as led Invoice Belichick’s Patriots to the best comeback in Tremendous Bowl historical past, when New England rallied from a 28-3 deficit in opposition to Atlanta for a 34-28 time beyond regulation victory.

However Maye, who was runner-up to Matthew Stafford for the AP NFL MVP award within the closest race in 20 years, didn’t come shut. He had an opportunity to slender the hole, however his ill-advised move into triple protection was picked by Love and the Patriots trailed by 15 after they obtained the ball again with 5:35 left.

Then got here Nwosu’s landing, a becoming method to cap an amazing effort by the NFL’s stingiest protection.

“Undoubtedly hurts. They performed higher than us tonight,” Maye mentioned.

Maye’s 7-yard TD move to Rhamondre Stevenson late within the recreation solely made the margin smaller.

The Seahawks took a 3-0 lead on Myers’ 33-yard subject aim on the sport’s opening drive. Myers linked from 39 and 41 yards to increase the result in 9-0 at halftime. He was good from 41 on Seattle’s first drive of the third quarter to make it 12-0.

Patriots participant of the gameCornerback Christian Gonzalez made two excellent performs to forestall potential touchdowns within the second quarter. He raced again and leaped within the air to slap away a deep move to Rashid Shaheed that might have been a 76-yard TD.

On Seattle’s final drive within the first half, Gonzalez knocked down a move to All-Professional vast receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba that may have been a 23-yard TD.

Mills will get a two-for-one sackRylie Mills pushed left guard Jared Wilson into Maye and took each of them down on one in every of Seattle’s sacks.

Dangerous Bunny shines at halftimeBad Bunny headlined a visually beautiful halftime efficiency that additionally featured appearances by Woman Gaga and Ricky Martin. The Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist totally in Spanish.

Patriots denied a document seventh titleThe Patriots didn't win the franchise’s seventh Tremendous Bowl, which might have set an NFL document. They’re tied with the Steelers with six championships.

Vrabel, the AP NFL Coach of the Yr, was aiming to turn out to be the fifth individual to win a Tremendous Bowl as a participant and head coach and the primary to do each with the identical staff.

The 23-year-old Maye grew to become the QB to start out a Tremendous Bowl however couldn’t turn out to be the youngest to win it. Ben Roethlisberger nonetheless holds that mark.

ROB MAADDIMaaddi is senior NFL author for The Related Press. He’s coated the league for twenty-four years, together with the primary 20 years because the Eagles beat author.