Super Bowl Sunday 2026: Seahawks beat Patriots 29–13 at Levi’s Stadium

Super Bowl Sunday 2026 delivered a defensive, field-goal-heavy championship night, with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The game, played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, ended with Seattle lifting its second franchise title and closing the book on a rematch of their Super Bowl meeting 11 years earlier.

Kickoff was set for 6:30 p.m. ET, and the tone was established early: points were hard to come by, drives were disrupted by pressure, and the margin widened only as Seattle’s defense and run game took over late.

Final score, MVP, and the headline numbers

Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III was named Super Bowl MVP after powering the Seahawks’ offense with 135 rushing yards on 27 carries. Seattle leaned on him to control tempo and field position while a relentless pass rush kept New England from sustaining rhythm.

Seattle kicker Jason Myers was also central to the storyline, converting five field goals in a night where touchdowns were scarce and every possession mattered.

How the game unfolded: defense first, then Seattle pulls away

The first half played like a referendum on defensive structure and patience. Seattle built its lead without fireworks, repeatedly turning possessions into points even when it couldn’t finish drives with touchdowns. At halftime, Seattle led 9–0, a scoreline that underscored the night’s shape: steady pressure, clean special teams, and a constant squeeze on New England’s offense.

In the second half, the Seahawks continued to win the possession battle. Walker’s consistent gains kept Seattle on schedule, and the defense turned up the heat on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. By the fourth quarter, the game tilted decisively as New England pressed to catch up, exposing itself to sacks, hurried throws, and a late-game turnover that widened the margin.

Why Seattle’s plan worked: pressure, patience, and the run game

Seattle’s winning formula was straightforward and effective:

• Ball control on offense: Walker’s workload reduced volatility and kept Seattle from needing high-risk throws.

• Field-position discipline: Even when drives stalled, Seattle consistently pinned New England into tougher situations.

• Pass rush dominance: Seattle’s defense produced six sacks, repeatedly forcing Maye off his first read and collapsing pockets before routes could fully develop.

The result was a game where New England’s offense rarely looked comfortable for long stretches. When the Patriots did find scoring, it came with the pressure of needing multiple possessions quickly—exactly the scenario Seattle’s defense was built to punish.

The Patriots’ night: promise, then a steep uphill climb

For New England, Super Bowl LX was a tough environment for a young quarterback facing constant heat. Drake Maye’s debut on the biggest stage came with a narrow margin for error from the opening drive, and the Patriots spent much of the night trying to recover from early stalled possessions and a zero on the first-half scoreboard.

Once New England fell behind by multiple scores, the play-calling naturally shifted toward urgency. That urgency can create chances—but it also increases exposure to negative plays, and Seattle made those negative plays pile up.

Ceremony and halftime: music-filled pregame, then Bad Bunny at the break

Super Bowl Sunday 2026 also delivered a full slate of ceremony moments before the football began. The pregame performances included Charlie Puth singing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile performing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Green Day appeared as part of the opening ceremony segment.

Halftime arrived in the expected window after a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff, and Bad Bunny headlined the halftime show with a performance built around rhythm, movement, and Puerto Rico-forward visuals—one of the night’s biggest non-football talking points.

What Super Bowl Sunday 2026 will be remembered for

Super Bowl LX won’t be filed under “shootout.” It will be remembered as a game where Seattle proved it could win with structure: a punishing run game, a kicker converting pressure points, and a defense that turned the Patriots’ comeback attempts into opportunities for sacks and game-sealing plays.

For Seattle, it was a championship built on controlling the basics—possession, pressure, and points whenever they were available. For New England, it was a reminder that reaching the Super Bowl is one challenge, and solving a disciplined, complete opponent under maximum spotlight is another.

Sources consulted: Reuters, NFL, Levi’s Stadium event information, FOX Sports