Dark Day For New England As Seahawks Defense Smothers Patriots In Super Bowl LX

SANTA CLARA, CA — The Seattle Seahawks' "Dark Side" defense turned out the lights on the New England in Super Bowl LX, holding the Patriots to just 13 points.

The Seahawks sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times, forcing the MVP runner-up to fumble in the final seconds of the third quarter in their 29-13 victory over New England

The turnover set up Seattle's first and only touchdown, a 16-yard strike from Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold to tightend AJ Barner.

Maye responded on the very next drive, leading a three-play, 65-yard drive in just 57 seconds that culminated with a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mack Hollins.

New England's offense seemed to find some life on the following drive.

After forcing Seattle to punt, Maye led the Patriots on a seven-play, 40-yard drive that included a 16-yard quarterback scramble. The drive died with an interception by Seahawks safety Julian Love at the Seattle 27. Love returned the pick 35 yards to the New England 38.

The Seahawks capitalized on that turnover as well with Justin Myers knocking through his fifth field goal, a Super Bowl record, putting Seattle up 22-7.

Myers was a perfect 5 for 5 in the game.

Seattle pressure and a hit in on Maye led to another turnover in the fourth quarter. The play was ruled an interception by Uchennam Nwosu who ran it back for a touchdown, making the score 29-7.

Maye, who posted a 113.5 quarterback rating in his brilliant sophomore season, finished the game 27 for 43 for 295 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 79.1.

The six sacks cost Maye 43 yards

The Seahawks held New England scoreless through three quarters.

Darnold finished 19 for 38 for 202 yards and the one touchdown to Barner.

Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards.

The Super Bowl victory was Darnold's first career win over New England.

Darnold, a University of Southern California product and sixth overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018, saw his career hit a low point during a 2019 Monday Night Football game against the Patriots.

During the 33-point shutout, a mic'd-up Darnold was caught saying, "I'm seeing ghosts," an embarrassing moment that went viral.

After three years with the Jets, Darnold bounced from Carolina to San Francisco to Minnesota, where he threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions last season. Despite his strong performance, the Vikings moved on without Darnold.

Sunday's showdown was a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, which the Patriots won 28-24 in thrilling fashion on Malcom Butler's goal-line interception with 26 seconds remaining.

Sunday's victory was Seattle's second Super Bowl win. The Seahawks defeated Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII.