Super LX kicked off Sunday night with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 after a dominant performance across all four quarters. The big game was played in Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, in the Bay Area, for the stadium’s second time hosting. The Patriots are no strangers to the Super Bowl, holding the NFL record for the most times visited at 12, and walking away as champions six of the 12 times. However, this trip did not prove nearly as successful after being shut out in the first half and barely getting their head above water in the second, finally finding the endzone in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks were 4.5 point favorites over the Patriots, leading many to believe it would be a relatively close game; however, the ending score landed the game very close to blowout territory, a 17-20 point deficit.

 The Seahawks soared their way to victory thanks to a few key players on the team, including game MVP and running back Kenneth Walker III and quarterback Sam Darnold. The Seahawks struggled a bit initially, having to settle for field goals after consistently driving down the field, but it quickly became apparent that the Patriots could not get much started on offense, so the situation became less dire. After 12 points worth of field goals, mere minutes into the final quarter, the Patriots scored a touchdown, and the Seahawks quickly answered, extending the lead and finding the endzone. Shortly after, the Seahawks took advantage of the Patriots’ third fumble of the night with a scoop and score to cap out at 29 points.

 The Patriots put on an undoubtedly underwhelming performance Sunday night that can be chalked up for a few reasons. Quarterback Drake Maye held a 62% pass completion rate, stacking poorly against his average 72%, leading the NFL. He also threw two interceptions, the most in one game all season. The Seahawks’ impressive defense certainly did not help matters, sacking Maye six times, one less than the record in an NFL game.

“I thought it was a very boring game. But overall, it was just a good game defensively,” said freshman Jaetyn Mazzo.

The Patriots self destroying mistakes certainly aided the Seahawks along the path to their victory, but the talent on the Seahawks roster is undeniable.

“The Seahawks won simply because of Kenneth Walker and his outbreak runs. Even though they were shutting him down at the beginning, he just didn’t let that stop him. And then he just took off at the end,” said Mazzo.