The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 to win the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy in a game that was a slow burner, with most scoring coming in the fourth quarter and defenses — especially Seattle’s — dominating early.
Seattle led 12-0 entering the final quarter after four field goals from Jason Myers. Veteran quarterback Sam Darnold then threw the game’s first touchdown to AJ Barner. New England answered when Drake Maye connected with Mack Hollins for a Patriots touchdown, but Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu intercepted Maye and returned it for a pick-6 to extend Seattle’s lead to 29-7. The Patriots added a late consolation touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
The Super Bowl featured a high-profile halftime show headlined by Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny, who performed entirely in Spanish and paid tribute to Puerto Rican culture. His set included 12 songs in just under 13 minutes, opened with “Tití Me Preguntó,” referenced Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina,” and included guest appearances by Lady Gaga (who performed a salsa version of “Die With A Smile”), Ricky Martin, and cameos from Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba and Cardi B. Bad Bunny closed with a screen message reading, “The only thing stronger than hate is love.” The performance drew mixed reactions, including criticism from US President Donald Trump on Truth Social calling the show “absolutely terrible” and an “affront to the Greatness of America.”
The halftime spotlight also prompted alternative programming: conservative group Turning Point USA staged an “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett; the event drew around four million YouTube views.
Off the field there were protests outside the Super Bowl against Trump administration immigration policies. Green Day performed the pregame show and, though lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong had earlier criticized ICE at a pre-party, the band’s on-field set avoided overt political statements. A wide range of celebrities attended the game, including Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy, Chris Pratt, Jon Bon Jovi, Roger Federer and Travis Scott.
Game context and notes:
– Seattle kicker Jason Myers accounted for all points in the first half with three field goals, giving the Seahawks a 9-0 halftime lead.
– The fourth quarter produced most of the scoring, with Seattle converting a defensive and late offensive push into victory.
– The Seahawks secure their second Super Bowl title; the Patriots’ bid for a record seventh championship fell short.
For viewers unfamiliar with American football, the basics: teams advance the ball down a 100-yard field by running or passing; a touchdown is worth six points (plus an extra-point kick for one more); defenses try to stop advances by tackling, forcing fumbles, or making interceptions; and offenses have four downs to gain 10 yards to reset the downs.
The night combined a defensive, methodical football contest with a culturally significant halftime show and off-field political and cultural conversations, culminating in Seattle lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.