Overview: The Seattle Seahawks won their second Super Bowl title in a defensive struggle against the New England Patriots, with a score of 29-13. The Seahawks’ defense was led by Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, and Byron Murphy, who sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye seven times and forced two interceptions. Kenneth Walker III, a former Michigan State running back, carried the Seahawk offense with 135 yards and two receiving yards, earning the Super Bowl MVP award. Sam Darnold, the Seahawks’ quarterback, became the first quarterback in the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl, leading his team to a 17-3 record.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In NFL, sports column, Super Bowl on February 16, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Walker earns Super Bowl MVP in Seahawks 29-13.
LX was made for ball-knowers, appreciators of fantastic defense.
Bad Bunny’s halftime show, 2nd most watched ever.
Article first published via BVN and NNPA member news mediums
Leland Stein III
America’s big football game, no matter the participating teams, always enlivens a host city’s vibe and most importantly, its economics.
The Super Bowl was part of a major year for the wonderful Bay Area, which also is preparing to host the 2026 World Cup, and celebrate San Francisco’s 250th birthday.
San Francisco was well prepared to host its third Big Game. Its first was Super Bowl XIX (1985) at Sanford Stadium, next came Super Bowl 50 (2016) and Super Bowl LX (2026), both at Levi Stadium.
A Defensive Struggle
While exploring San Fran the week before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots contest . . . some casual fans were wondering out loud, “Where are the superstars and Hall of Fame quarterbacks?”
To that interrogative I say the game didn’t need the superstars!
What I saw covering my 34th Super Bowl . . . . was a masterful, good ole fashion “rock’em, sock’em,” defensive struggle played with intensity and passion on both sides.
Coming out of the defensive haze, the Seahawks outlasted the New England Patriots, 29–13, to claim their second franchise Super Bowl title.
“Takeaways are always something, how you affect the outcome,” said Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald in his post-game press conference– at 38 is the third-youngest, ever to win the Big Game. “I think what you saw today is just the end point of a team that has been dedicated to becoming this team since we walked in the door in April.
“You know, it’s just a testament to our staff and guys that we have on the defensive side of the ball. It’s just the way we go about our business every single day and the way that we’re playing our process.”
Walker 1st Super Bowl RB MVP in 28-Years
Sure, Seattle fans should stand and applaud their defense for its superior effort in the NFL’s biggest game. Men like Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of the ferocious “Dark Side” unit walloped New England quarterback Drake Maye.
However, it was the strong and determined legs of former Michigan State running back, Kenneth Walker III, that carried the Seahawk offense, when the passing game had flattened.
Grinding out a tough 135 yards and 26 necessary receiving yards, Walker ran right into the Super Bowl MVP, becoming the first running back since Terrell Davis 28 years ago to win the valued award.
This was Walker’s third straight 100-yard game from scrimmage in the postseason, capping a prolific postseason run.
“It’s just a dream come true because a lot of people play their whole career and never make it this far,” said a joyful, but subdued Walker in his post-game press conference. “So, it’s a blessing.”
Walker continued: “Our defense has been a problem all season. We knew what they were capable of and they knew what they were capable of. They held us in the game when we were struggling to get a touchdown, the defense picked up the slack and special teams as well.
“We went through adversity throughout the season, but we stayed together. You know that adversity showed who we were as a team. We got a brotherhood going on right now, and it’s special.”
Turnovers Change the Game
I appreciate the manner in which Seattle muzzled New England’s offense all game, but only had a 9-0 lead at halftime, and a 12-0 lead in a tight game going into the fourth quarter.
Then Hall made the play that would open the way for Seattle to claim its second title.
Hall sacked New England quarterback Drake Maye in the third quarter and stripped the ball away for a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Byron Murphy II.
“We were just playing catch up,” said Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel after the heartbreaking loss. “But we did a great job in the redzone, and we completed, but unfortunately, just not enough consistent execution. And, I think the turnovers ultimately cost us.
“That’s the best team we’ve faced obviously this year. We had a really, really good year and one that I am proud of, and this game is not a reflection of our year. We lost and we were [beaten], outcoached and outplayed and give them credit.”
Right after Murphy’s fumble recovery, Sam Darnold threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to AJ Barner for a 19-0 Seahawk lead.
The Patriots and Maye came right back and scored making it feel like we had a fourth quarter game.
But oh no!
Uchenna Nwosu punctuated a punishing defensive performance by snagging Maye’s pass in the air after Witherspoon hit his arm and ran it back 45 yards for a pick-6.
“It just comes down to who makes the plays and who doesn’t and they made the plays tonight,” said a sullen and reflective Maye. “Then having my fumble returned for a touchdown . . . I would like to go back to the beginning and redo it, but there’s so many plays that can decide and change the game.”
The Seahawks’ defense wreaked shop on regular-season MVP runner-up, quarterback Maye.
He did throw two touchdown passes, but was sacked seven times, had two interceptions and lost a fumble that led to a TD by Seattle.
Darnold and Myers Come Through
Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense helped Darnold become the first quarterback in the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl, ahead of better valued QB’s Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson.
Pigeon-holed as a bust, dumped by two teams and considered expendable by two others, Darnold proved his doubters wrong while helping the Seahawks go 17-3.
“To do this with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Darnold after the game. “So proud of our guys, our defense. I mean, I can’t say enough great things about our defense, our special teams. I’m just so happy for the guys in the locker room and the coaches that put in so much effort throughout the whole season.”
After years as a journeyman, Darnold has done what almost every NFL team thought he couldn’t do, lead a team to the Super Bowl championship with a turnover-free performance.
He became a Super Bowl champion in his first year under center for the Seattle Seahawks — his fifth team in eight seasons.
Darnold’s rebirth story would not have happened, but for Jason Myers sticking all five of his field-goal tries, establishing a Super Bowl record. Amazingly, he scored 17 of Seattle’s 29 points.
I was at the game last time the two teams faced-off in the Super Bowl n 2015. The Patriots won the game due to a late game interception by Malcolm Butler in the endzone. Both teams were eager to win, with the Seahawks wanting to earn their second ring and the Patriots wanting their seventh.
Bad Bunny’s Halftime Expression
In the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny brought the history and culture of his native Puerto Rico to a historic Super Bowl performance.
I have to acknowledge I knew none of his music, but I could feel and see the vibe, and intentional props that told a story of its own. The featured salsa – and reggaeton – filled the set with a welcomed message of unity.
Also, Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin made surprise appearances during the halftime performance.
Fans and critics everywhere spent the week leading up to this year’s Super Bowl in San Francisco speculating on exactly what Bad Bunny would do on stage come halftime, but anyone who has been a fan of his over the last decade should have known that any type of Bad Bunny show—no matter how large or how small—is always a party.
Super Bowl LX averaged 124.9 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, and NFL+. It ranks as the second-most watched U.S. television event in history, slightly trailing the 2025 record. The game peaked at 137.8 million viewers, with the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny drawing 128.2 million viewers.
Living in the shadow of the Seahawks first super Bowl winning defense – “Legion of Boom” – is never easy, as this group surely knows, but Macdonald’s crew can measure up with just about anyone after this performance.
Let’s not forget, no quarterback has won a Super Bowl having played for five different NFL teams; but then no quarterback has been counted out so many times and got back to the top like Darnold.
Leland can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com or Twitter @LelandSteinIII