The NFL season wrapped up Feb. 8 with a battle for the Lombardi Trophy. Super Bowl LX featured the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots competing to determine the champions of the world. At the start of the season, few football fans would have predicted either team would reach the Super Bowl.
The Patriots finished 4-13 last season, and with a new head coach and a second-year quarterback, they were not expected to make the playoffs. The Seahawks also entered the season with low expectations after trading their quarterback and top wide receiver, DK Metcalf, before the season began. Seattle signed Sam Darnold — who had only one strong season as a starter — and added veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp to help replace Metcalf alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Despite the odds, both teams advanced to the biggest game in football.
Fans anticipated a high-scoring matchup but saw the opposite. The Seahawks received the opening kickoff, and running back Kenneth Walker III helped drive the offense down the field. A completion to Cooper Kupp moved Seattle into the red zone, but the Patriots’ defense held firm and limited the Seahawks to a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
New England struggled offensively on its first possession. While the Patriots picked up a few first downs, a sack by Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall stalled the drive. The teams traded punts for the remainder of the quarter, and Seattle led 3-0 at the end of the first.
The Patriots opened the second quarter with another punt, allowing Seattle to extend its lead. Walker continued to fuel the offense, and the Seahawks added a field goal to make it 6-0. New England remained unable to generate offense as Seattle’s defense pressured quarterback Drake Maye and recorded multiple sacks. Just before halftime, Darnold led a scoring drive that resulted in a third field goal, sending the Seahawks into halftime with a 9-0 lead.
For fans expecting an offensive showcase, the game was disappointing, like junior LJ Tobery shared about the score.
“I thought the game was pretty boring. It wasn’t very high scoring,” Tobery said.
The Super Bowl marked one of only four games in which no touchdowns were scored in the first half. For fans who appreciate defensive football, the game remained compelling. Junior Mason Barry shared his opinion on the game’s pace.
“I thought it was slow at first, but toward the end, when both teams started to score, it was interesting,” Barry said.
New England received the ball to start the second half, but the drive ended with another punt. Seattle added a fourth field goal to extend its lead to 12-0. The Patriots’ chances continued to slip away, and a turnover by Maye late in the third quarter proved costly. Darnold capitalized by throwing a touchdown pass to tight end AJ Barner, the first touchdown of the game.
Maye responded with a deep touchdown pass to Mack Hollins to keep the Patriots within reach, but the momentum was short-lived. He later threw an interception, and Seattle added another field goal. The Seahawks then sealed the victory with a pick-six by linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
New England scored a late touchdown, but it was not enough, and the Seahawks won 29-13. The victory marked Seattle’s second Super Bowl title. Walker was named Super Bowl MVP, though some believed kicker Jason Myers deserved the honor after scoring the most points for the Seahawks.