SANTA CLARA, Calif.—There were 70,823 fans inside of Levi's Stadium on Sunday, but it felt like a home game for the Seahawks, whose fans traveled to California from Seattle and packed the stadium. When Derick Hall sacked Drake Maye on the Patriots sixth play of their first offensive drive of the game, the stadium erupted and it was clear Seattle's defense was going to be a problem for the Patriots like they have been for every other offense all season.
The defense didn't let up all night and kept the Patriots scoreless through three quarters. If it wasn't Hall, then it was Devon Witherspoon. If it wasn't Witherspoon, it was Uchenna Nwosu. If it wasn't Nwosu, it was Julian Love. If it wasn't Love… well, you get the point. Rookie Rylie Mills, who has only played in five games this season before Sunday, even got a piece of Maye, earning his first-career sack on Sunday evening. Mills took down two defenders when he sacked Maye.
"That was a beast of a play," Leonard Williams said. "I'm so happy for him. His first sack all season, I know he's overcome a lot with his injury, and this was a special moment for him."
The defensive unit had 54 tackles, 6.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
"We're the best in the world," Hall said. "We fought hard, we practiced hard. Everything we did was tough. We were able to finish the job and put the icing on the cake. I'm proud of this defense."
Hall had 2.0 sacks on Sunday, as well as a forced fumble.
"This is something kids dream about their whole life," he said. "Being able to share this moment with these guys but also put myself in the position to go out and help this team. Know that I helped this team get this W tonight is special."
The defense made life for Maye and the Patriots offense miserable. Seattle's defense hit the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage on 53.8 percent of designed rushes according to Next Gen Stats, while generating a 52.8 percent pressure rate.
"They were getting after the quarterback," Ernest Jones IV said. "I told these guys before the game started, our success if dependent on how y'all rush him. Don't rush scared, get him on the ground."
The Seahawks' defense six sacks led to two turnovers and set the offense up to score 14 points.
While the defense was playing to win, there was also a sense of showing people they were wrong about their unit.
"We're the best in the world," Byron Murphy II said. "We showed that all season long. They tried to say we weren't like that, and we just proved everybody wrong."
Hall added, "Nobody really believed that we were the best all year long. And I feel like we just used this as another opportunity to prove that we are the best. And, you know, the work that we do speaks for itself. We run; we run and hit. We hunt, and we hunt like none other. And I feel like that spoke tonight and showed me the best in the world."
The players are an integral part of what this defense was able to accomplish this season, but a lot of what the defense has been able to do is also credited to head coach Mike Macdonald.
Hall said Macdonald helped "Tremendously. Being able to come in and do what he's done in two years is special. Winning 10 games last year, win as many games we won this year. Being able to bring the guys in that he knows he wants on this defense is special and being able to play to your players. I think it's you. The way he calls the game, the way he helps us, having that one-on-one connection. So, Mike is doing a great job for us."
Lawrence added, "It's just a testament to what he built here. This group of guys that we have in this locker room is so special. that, you know, it can't be replaced or taken for granted. That ain't nothing but a reward, but at the end of the day, he's a Super Bowl champion. He's a Super Bowl coach. He made all of us better. He brought this group together. It's a special unit.
He's a guru. He dials it up so well for us. He puts us in the right position to make plays. And [now] you're talking to the Super Bowl champs."
Nick Emmanwori who had five tackles on Sunday said, "It's a great experience, a little bittersweet, because this is an amazing team. I wish I could play with this team for the rest of my career, but you know how the NFL works. So I'm just enjoying what it is for right now and this team will go down in history, like the connections we got, it's real over here."
Witherspoon said, "You've got a group of guys who go out there and battle for each other, who play together. We talked about it all year in OTAs, we set out to be the best defense in the world. Nobody knew that we did that, but we did, and we held each other to that standard. You talk about a group of guys who are going to stay together, who are going to play for each other, and cut somebody's lights off, that's The Dark Side."
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Check out the best photos from the on-field celebration.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The scoreboard showing 'Super Bowl LX Champions' after the NFL Super Bowl 60 game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, February 8, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald is doused after defeating the New England Patriots Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) celebrates after dousing head coach Mike Macdonald with Gatorade after defeating the New England Patriots at the NFL Super Bowl 60 game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, February 8, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The Seahawks celebrated the 29-13 victory vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) holds a Microsoft Surface tablet after defeating the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) holds a Microsoft Surface tablet after defeating the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III, right, celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, and running back Kenneth Walker III celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots after the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald holds the trophy as quarterback Sam Darnold, right, and others look on after the team's win in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald kisses the Lombardi Trophy between quarterback Sam Darnold and Seattle Seahawks chair Jody Allen after the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald, right, and quarterback Sam Darnold lift the Lombardi Trophy after win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald kisses the Lombardi Trophy between quarterback Sam Darnold and Seattle Seahawks chair Jody Allen after the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and quarterback Sam Darnold, left, hold the Lombardi Trophy after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald, right, and quarterback Sam Darnold lift the Lombardi Trophy after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald is reflected in the Lombardi Trophy after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold waves from the podium after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold eyes the Lombardi Trophy after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
The scoreboard showing 'Super Bowl LX Champions' after the NFL Super Bowl 60 game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, February 8, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates with wide receiver Jake Bobo during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
