Top Performers in Seahawks’ 13-10 Week 1 Win vs. Patriots
Despite losing starting quarterback Sam Darnold just six snaps into Wednesday’s opener and falling behind 10-0 in the third quarter, led by Drew Lock and an opportunistic defense, the resilient Seattle Seahawks stormed back in front of the boisterous 12s for a thrilling 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots.
Diving into the All-22 film and digging deeper into Seattle’s hard-fought comeback win to kick off the new season, who stood out in the much-anticipated Super Bowl LX rematch? Here are my top five performers from the Seahawks’ three-point victory over Drake Maye and the Patriots at Lumen Field:
Julian Love
Overall Grade: 91.0 (Run Defense 94, Coverage 92, Tackling 87)
Preaching to his teammates to have “violence in their hearts” during warmups, “The Mayor” took those words literally to heart from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Reading New England’s blocking schemes like a book, he rocketed into the backfield for a pair of tackles for loss on running back Rhamondre Stevenson, including a crucial 3rd and 1 stop in the first quarter that forced the visitors to punt the ball away after he blew up the back on a B-gap blitz. Even when receivers made catches in his vicinity, he rattled the bones of Drake Maye’s targets, including demolishing Hunter Henry on a 13-yard reception to open the third quarter with a jarring hit that woke the 12s up from their post-Sam Darnold injury slumber.
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks Face a Few Pressing Questions on Defense Beyond 2026
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s defense look for both the present and the future?
John Schneider, Seahawks Back to Business Fresh Off Super Bowl Title at NFL Combine
Capturing the ultimate prize in professional sports in Santa Clara, John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks made the most of their opportunity to bask in the limelight as Super Bowl champions earlier this month, including celebrating with nearly a million fans in downtown in a parade for the ages as they stood atop the NFL world.
But eventually, the confetti disappears and the suds stop flowing. After climbing back to the mountaintop for the second time in franchise history, it’s time for Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and the Seahawks to get back to work with sights on defending their title, and that process officially starts with the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week.
From the outside, the combine draws the most attention for the measurements and athletic testing that takes place in Lucas Oil Stadium as more than 300 NFL hopefuls descend upon the Circle City, and the league milks that process with live televised workouts starting on Thursday. But for Schneider, Macdonald, and the rest of Seattle’s brass that flies in for the festivities, while they will be monitoring the testing process closely and value athleticism as much as anyone, it’s far from the most important business to tend to.
Top 12 Moments From Seahawks’ Super Bowl-Winning 2025 Season
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl LX champions! Yes, keep saying that to yourself. Anytime you are feeling down, sad, anxious, or just plain bored, look at that photo of Mike Macdonald and Sam Darnold staring into the reflection of the Lombardi Trophy and feel all your troubles melt away.
As is the nature of the NFL, it rolls on like a fierce locomotive, not caring whether or not you want to pause a moment to smell the roses (or the yellow Gatorade). Free agency is less than a month away. The NFL Combine is even sooner. The NFL Draft is just over two months away.
One last time, let’s look back, instead of forward. These are 12 top moments of the 2025 season, that happened before the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
‘Battle Tested’ Seahawks Suffocate Patriots, Cement Place as All-Time Great Defense in Super Bowl Win
Approaching kickoff for Super Bowl LX, there wasn’t cloud in the sky as temperatures hovered around the low 70s, presenting idealistic conditions for the ultimate event in sports.
But then, the Seattle Seahawks’ “Darkside” defense took the field, bringing with them a violent storm that the New England Patriots simply weren’t prepared for and couldn’t weather.
It started with a flash in the form of a Derick Hall sack on the opening series, forcing a punt, followed by thunder as Devon Witherspoon came in unabated to hit Drake Maye and coax an ugly throwaway downfield, again forcing a punt. Lightning struck on the next possession as the cornerback got home this time with teammate Nick Emmanwori also collapsing the pocket, corralling the quarterback after shooting the B-gap untouched for a 10-yard sack that led to a third consecutive punt.
Five Distinct Advantages the Seahawks Have in Super Bowl LX
The Seahawks have one more game remaining, the much-awaited rematch against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Nothing is certain until the downs are played, but what are the Hawks’ key advantages going into the Big Game?
What to Watch as Seahawks Battle Rams for Super Bowl Spot in NFC Championship Game
In two prior meetings, the Seahawks and Rams have been separated by one point and one yard. As two evenly-matched contenders vie for a Super Bowl spot, where must Seattle excel to advance to Santa Clara for a shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy?
Halftime Observations: Seahawks Play Bully Ball, Take 10-3 Lead Over 49ers
Winning consistently at the line of scrimmage, the Seahawks kept leaning on the ground game to build a seven-point lead over the 49ers in the NFC West title game, though two botched drives loom large heading into the final two quarters.
Halftime Observations: Ken Walker III, Seahawks Knotted Up With Panthers 3-3 in Defensive Slog
Despite averaging nearly 5.5 yards per carry in the run game, the Seahawks couldn’t get out of their own way offensively in the first half, as a turnover led to the Panthers tying the score late in the second quarter in gloomy Charlotte.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Battle Rams in Critical TNF Rematch
With both teams missing a key starter on offense, the Seahawks and Rams will each have to make adjustments accordingly in what likely will be a defensive slugfest in inclement weather conditions. Which matchups will determine who holds the No. 1 seed by Friday?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Take on Titans in Nashville
Entering Sunday’s road tilt as heavy favorites against the one-win Titans, the Seahawks should have several advantageous matchups working in their favor, though the underdogs may have a big one to lean on with the visitors dealing with offensive line injuries.
Report Card: Top Performers in Seahawks 21-19 Loss to Rams
Though they fell just short of an improbable comeback in a two-point loss to the Rams on Sunday, several Seahawks still turned in strong performances on the road. Who shined the brightest in defeat at SoFi Stadium?
Comparing Rivals: How Do Seahawks, Rams’ Defenses Stack Up Against Each Other?
Racing out to 7-2 starts, the Seahawks and Rams have been stingy allowing points to opponents with ferocious defensive lines, underrated linebackers, and versatile secondaries. Where does each team hold an edge going into Sunday’s first matchup at SoFi Stadium?
Progress Report: How Have Seahawks’ Defensive Position Groups Fared Through 7 Games?
Just outside the top five in scoring defense, the Seahawks have lived up to expectations in Mike Macdonald’s second season in many regards, but Ernest Jones and company still have a ways to go to play up to their high standards.
Special ‘Brotherhood’ Carrying Seahawks Back to Elite Heights on Defense
Even as injuries mounted over the past month, with one blemish as an exception in Week 5, the Seahawks have kept momentum rolling with a top-five defense, further evidenced by stars and role players alike shining under the prime time lights against the Texans.
Rapid Reaction: Seahawks Overcome Blunders, Edge Texans 27-19 on Monday Night Football
Turnovers and dropped interceptions kept a game that appeared to be teetering towards a blowout close on Monday Night Football, but the Seahawks found a way to close out a pesky Texans squad and keep pace in the NFC West heading into their bye week.
Halftime Observations: Explosives, Negative Plays Guide Seahawks to 14-6 Lead vs. Texans
Missed opportunities cost the Seahawks multiple chances to pad their lead, but the home team held serve in the first two quarters behind Sam Darnold’s arm and a stingy defensive effort to go into the break up eight points on Monday Night Football.
Keys to Victory: How Seahawks BEAT Buccaneers in Week 5 Clash at Lumen Field
In a battle of 3-1 teams with depleted secondaries, what must the Seahawks accomplish to win a fourth straight game and send the Buccaneers back to Florida with a loss?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Host Buccaneers in Battle of 3-1 Teams
With the Seahawks and Buccaneers both dealing with several significant injuries, banged up secondaries will be challenged by talented receivers and the onus will fall on both defensive lines to set the tone rushing Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield as an equalizer.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Visit Steelers For Road Opener
Meeting up in a rare matchup in Pittsburgh, the Seahawks will have sights on their first win in 2025 while the Steelers look to stay unbeaten early in the rugged AFC North. Which matchups will dictate who lands a Week 2 victory?
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