Super Bowl LX Revisited: How Seattle’s Defense Took Over the 29-13 Win
- Football Nation
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Seattle defeated New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX because the Seahawks controlled the game in all three phases. The defense overwhelmed Drake Maye, Kenneth Walker III supplied the offensive stability and the kicking game repeatedly converted field position into points.
Seattle’s defense dictated the game
The Seahawks entered the game with the NFL’s No. 1 defense and produced six sacks and two interceptions. Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II recorded two sacks apiece. Devon Witherspoon and rookie Rylie Mills added one each. Seattle created pressure from the secondary and defensive line, forcing Maye to hold the ball and move away from his first read.
New England punted on all five of its non-kneel possessions in the first half and managed only four first downs before halftime. Maye had just 48 passing yards in the first half. The Patriots remained within reach because their defense limited Seattle’s touchdowns, but the offense could not sustain a drive when the game was still close.
Maye finished 27 of 43 for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, but most of the production arrived after New England had fallen behind by multiple scores. The Patriots’ running backs combined for only 42 yards on 13 carries, leaving Maye in obvious passing situations against Seattle’s pressure packages.
Kenneth Walker III carried the offense
Walker was named Super Bowl MVP after rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries and catching two passes for 26 yards. His 161 scrimmage yards gave Seattle a reliable source of offense while Sam Darnold struggled to consistently connect downfield.
Walker averaged 5.0 yards per carry, produced runs of 30 and 29 yards and finished with five rushing attempts of at least 10 yards. NFL Next Gen Stats credited him with 42 rushing yards over expected. The 30-yard run generated 26 yards over expected, and the 29-yard run generated 24.
He became the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis in Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998. Walker’s 135 rushing yards were also the most in a Super Bowl since Davis ran for 157 in that game.
New England’s defense kept it competitive
The Patriots pressured Darnold on 41.5 percent of his dropbacks and held Seattle to one touchdown in four red-zone trips. The Seahawks converted only four of 16 third downs. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez broke up two potential touchdown passes, helping New England avoid a much larger early deficit.
That defensive effort eventually broke under the weight of poor field position and repeated offensive failures. A Maye fumble gave Seattle a short field for its first touchdown. Later, Uchenna Nwosu returned an interception for a touchdown after another Witherspoon pressure, turning a controlled lead into a decisive final margin.
Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record
Myers scored all of Seattle’s points through the first three quarters with four field goals. His fifth field goal in the fourth quarter established a Super Bowl record for made field goals in one game. He also recorded a tackle on a kickoff.
Punter Michael Dickson supported the defense by placing three punts inside New England’s 7-yard line. Those kicks forced the Patriots to begin possessions backed up, allowing Seattle to attack an offense already struggling with protection and communication.
Why Seattle won
Seattle did not need a perfect passing performance. The Seahawks protected the ball, ran effectively, won field position and created decisive defensive plays. New England’s defense gave the team a chance, but the Patriots could not run the ball or protect Maye well enough to take advantage.
The 29-13 score reflects a complete team victory more than an offensive shootout. Walker was the game’s best offensive player, but Seattle’s pressure, coverage and special teams controlled the conditions that allowed him to finish the job.
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