NFL news: Seattle Seahawks, Sam Darnold dominate New England Patriots to claim Super Bowl LX
The Seattle Seahawks overwhelmed the New England Patriots with a ruthless display of football to claim victory at Super Bowl LX.
What was billed as a clash between two elite NFL defences became a one-sided affair as the Seahawks powered to a 29-13 victory at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara to secure their second Super Bowl title.
Sunday’s triumph also delivered some personal milestones, with winning quarterback Sam Darnold completing an extraordinary career resurgence and Seattle defensive coordinator Aden Durde becoming the first overseas coach to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Michael Davey breaks down a showpiece game for the ages.
What happened at Super Bowl LX?
Seattle’s top-ranked defence smothered Patriots quarterback Drake Maye with relentless pressure that included six sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
On offence, Jason Myers etched his name into Super Bowl history by converting a record five field goals.
Sunday night also sealed Darnold’s improbable rise to the sport’s summit as the 2018 third overall pick – at his fifth team in eight seasons – finally came good when it mattered most.
The victory not only denied New England a seventh Super Bowl crown, but also provided long-awaited redemption for the Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLIX heartbreak at the hands of the Patriots.
READ MORE: NBA trade deadline news: Breaking down the top trades as Washington Wizards land Trae Young
Coaches praise Seattle’s teamwork and execution
Speaking to NBC after the win, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said: “We were the better team, we’re the best team.
“We loved each other, we believed in each other, and now we’re champions.
“We went to the dark side. We love our players – they made it happen, they made it come to life.”
Briton Durde added: “We put a plan together and the guys executed at an elite level.
“I’m very grateful. A lot of people sacrificed a lot for me to be sitting here, but you don’t see that.
“My mum and brother watched the game at an NFL party, and when my sons and wife came on to the field, they showed me a picture of them watching, so that was pretty cool.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: F1 news: Mercedes’ pre-season momentum sets up George Russell’s bid for Drivers’ Championship
Darnold thanks team, family for belief
“My team-mates and my coaches, they believed in me since the first training camp, every single day we came to work,” Darnold told NBC.
“I shared a great moment with my parents and fiancee Katie after the game and I think that’s what kind of got me a little bit. I told my dad and my mom, I’m here because of their belief in me.
“Some people called me crazy throughout my career for believing in myself so much, but it was because of my parents. It allowed me to go out there and play free and have a ton of confidence.
“On offence, I feel like we didn’t play as good as we could have – I certainly didn’t – but our defence and special teams had our back.
“We did it. It’s been such a special journey with these guys, so much hard work has been put into this, and we did it.”
READ NEXT: How NHL Rule Changes Could Affect Future Odds and Betting Markets
