The Seattle Seahawks emerged victorious in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 70,823, many of whom were rooting for the team. Entering the game as slight favorites, their triumph also marked a significant milestone in quarterback Sam Darnold's career, capping off his remarkable redemption story following widespread skepticism about his capabilities as a starting NFL quarterback.
Darnold, who has played for five teams over his eight-year careerāand three within the last three years aloneāhas finally claimed the sport's top honor in his inaugural season with the Seahawks. Once plagued by criticism after a 2019 game against the Patriots, where he infamously remarked about 'seeing ghosts,' the 28-year-old has put such doubts to rest.
The game unfolded as a nightmare for the opposition's quarterback, Maye, who struggled against a dynamic and robust defense crafted by coaches Durde and Macdonald in their two-year tenure in Seattle. The impressive defensive lineup saw cornerback Devon Witherspoon securing a sack, alongside teammates Derick Hall and Rylie Mills, who collectively managed only 2.5 sacks during the entire regular season but pressured Maye three times in the first half alone.
Before halftime, the Patriots managed a mere four first downs and accumulated only 52 total yards, leading some online to jest that Bad Bunny covered more ground during his halftime performance. Hall's defensive prowess forced a fumble, recovered by Byron Murphy, who himself sacked Maye twice, enshrining the 'Dark Side' defense alongside Seattle's storied 'Legion of Boom' from their 2014 Super Bowl victory.
"My teammates and my coaches, they believed in me," Darnold expressed to NBC. "From the very first training camp, we showed up each day ready to work. I have to commend our offensive line for their stellar performance, and of course, immense credit goes to our defense as well. We did it. It's been such a unique and rewarding journey with this team, and after so much dedication, we achieved our goal."