NFL Super Bowl LX analysis: Winners and losers as Seattle Seahawks crush New England Patriots
The Seattle Seahawks claimed Super Bowl LX after a dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium.
Seattle’s performance was built on defensive efficiency and discipline, while the Patriots were left struggling to gain any real foothold in the game.
It was thus not the shootout some had hoped for, with the first touchdowns not arriving until the final quarter.
Instead, Seattle maintained steady control, racking up field goal after field goal and shutting New England out for the first three quarters.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jake Reed gives his take on the biggest winners and losers from Super Bowl 60.
Winners
Seattle Seahawks defence
The Seahawks defence has been so strong this season that it earned the nickname the ‘Dark Side’.
With that reputation, it came as no surprise that their relentless pressure on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye proved key to Seattle’s victory.
Over the course of the game, the Seahawks recorded six sacks, two interceptions, three turnovers, and even a defensive touchdown from Uchenna Nwosu.
From the opening drive, the defensive unit looked sharp, combining aggressive pass rushing with tight coverage across the field.
Maye rarely had time to settle in the pocket and when he did, his passing lanes were crowded and contested.
Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl MVP)
Kenneth Walker III delivered a championship performance worthy of the game’s top honour.
The Seahawks running back rushed for 135 yards, with his strength and speed consistently gaining tough yards that kept Seattle moving forward.
He may not have scored a signature touchdown, but Walker’s ability to keep trucking on helped his team’s drives stay alive, preventing New England from building any momentum.
Each carry drained the clock, leaving the Patriots with less time in a game that already felt out of reach.
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Jason Myers
Kickers rarely grab the headlines in the Super Bowl, but Jason Myers became one of the most important figures in Seattle’s victory.
Coming off an already impressive season, Myers produced a perfect five-from-five display on field goals, setting a Super Bowl record and providing most of Seattle’s points until the late offensive burst.
At one stage, it seemed as though his boot alone might be enough to win the game.
Seahawks coaching staff
Seattle’s game plan was expertly executed.
They did not chase big plays but instead made their progress through the running game while trusting their defence to control field position.
There was also a British milestone on the Seahawks’ sideline.
Defensive coordinator Aden Durde, born in London, became the first British-born coordinator to coach in a Super Bowl.
His unit shut out the Patriots for three quarters through constant pressure on Maye.
Head coach Mike Macdonald added another landmark of his own, becoming the third-youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl.
With several young stars spread across both offence and defence, this victory raises the question of whether the Seahawks could be building towards a new dynasty.
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Losers
Drake Maye
It was a difficult night for Drake Maye on the biggest stage of his young career.
Sacked six times and constantly under pressure, the Patriots quarterback struggled to establish any rhythm against Seattle’s relentless defence.
While the 23-year-old still threw for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns, his impact came too little too late.
Too often, he held onto the ball and forced throws into tight windows as Seattle collapsed the pocket.
In only his second season as an NFL starter, this will be a harsh but valuable lesson.
Facing one of the league’s most aggressive defences will shape Maye’s development heading into next season.
Patriots offensive line
Maye might have been the face of New England’s struggles, but the offensive line was the foundation of them.
Seattle dominated the trenches, collapsing the pocket and shutting down most attempts at running plays.
Maye was consistently left vulnerable with little time to make decisions.
In a game that demands physical presence, the Patriots were second best on the night, their inability to win at the line of scrimmage ultimately defining the Super Bowl.
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Stefon Diggs and conservative playcalling
Brought in as a key playmaker from the Houston Texans, Stefon Diggs’ threat was completely neutralised.
Seattle’s secondary shadowed him effectively, limiting his influence and forcing New England to rely on short, conservative plays.
Without the ability to make explosive long plays, the Patriots became too predictable.
The playbook had shrunk and Seattle knew it – they committed more defenders to the line of scrimmage and found Maye in no man's land time and time again.
For Seattle, it may be the start of something special, whilst New England leave with lessons learnt and experience gained in the league’s biggest game.
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