Seahawks get ahead of Patriots with field goal and strong defense at the beginning of the Super Bowl final

The NFL title race started with high intensity at Levi’s Stadium, at Santa Clara, Califórnia. The 2026 Super Bowl final pitted Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face to face in a match that promised balance, but which saw the Seattle team establish an early lead in the first quarter, scoring the first points of the match.

From the first moments, the match was designed as a tactical battle, where every yard gained was the result of well-executed strategies and intense physical confrontations. The atmosphere in the stadium reflected the magnitude of the event, with both fans supporting their teams in search of the Vince Lombardi trophy.

The opening period was marked by an aggressive defense from Seahawks, who managed to neutralize Patriots’s first offensive attempts and capitalize on their own possession of the ball to open the scoring, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

The campaign that opened the scoring

Seattle Seahawks was the first team to score in the big decision, the result of a solid and well-coordinated offensive campaign. Quarterback Sam Darnold led the team on a 51-yard drive, spread over eight plays that consumed an important part of the clock. The strategy was based on short and safe passes, connecting with receivers like J. Smith-Njigba and A.

Despite the consistent advance, the New England Patriots defense managed to resist in the red zone, preventing the Seahawks from scoring a touchdown. Defensive pressure forced Seattle to opt for a field goal. Kicker Jason Myers didn’t waste the opportunity and converted a precise shot, putting the score at 3-0 at 11:58 of the first quarter. Esses first points were crucial to give the team confidence and transfer the pressure to the Patriots attack.

The defensive wall of Seattle

The highlight of the first quarter was, without a doubt, the performance of Seattle Seahawks’s defense. The defensive line imposed overwhelming pressure on the Patriots, Drake Maye quarterback, who barely had time to think about his passing progressions.

This pressure materialized into two crucial sacks, which not only stopped New England’s plays, but also resulted in a significant loss of 20 yards, complicating the team’s field position.

The main responsible for this dominance were the defenders Derick Hall and Devon Witherspoon, who managed to overcome the Patriots offensive line and reach the quarterback, demonstrating the strength and speed of the Seattle defensive unit.

The defensive performance was not limited to sacks. Containment in runs and coverage in the secondary field were equally effective, frustrating New England’s attempts to establish any kind of offensive rhythm early in the game.

Patriots’s limited offensive response

On the New England Patriots side, the beginning of the game was marked by difficulties in moving the ball. The attack, led by Drake Maye, felt the impact of the opponent’s strong defensive pressure, which limited the execution of the game plan.

One of the few positive points in New England’s attack was the runner Rhamondre Stevenson, who managed to find some spaces and accumulated 17 yards in four attempts, proving to be an important weapon in breaking through the defensive block.

However, consistency in races was not enough to sustain the campaigns. The ineffectiveness in converting third downs and the loss of yards in sacks forced the Patriots to resort to punting on two occasions, returning possession of the ball to Seattle without threatening the score.

Statistical analysis of the initial period

The first quarter numbers reflect the scenario seen on the field, with a slight advantage for the Seahawks in yards and a clear superiority in the ability to convert performance into points. Seattle accumulated 65 total yards on 16 offensive plays, maintaining an average of 4.1 yards per play, an indication of his efficiency. In contrast, New England produced 39 yards on 13 plays, averaging less than 3.0 yards per play. Curiosamente, possession of the ball was slightly greater for the Patriots, with 7 minutes and 44 seconds, compared to 7 minutes and 16 seconds for Seattle, but this advantage did not translate into threats to the opponent’s end zone. Os Seahawks achieved four first downs, compared to three from Patriots, and were more efficient in crucial moments, converting one of four third down attempts, while New England converted one of three. A notable point was the discipline of both teams, which did not commit turnovers or suffer penalties, showing the high level of concentration in the final. The difference was on defense, where Seattle recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss of yards, compared to just one tackle for loss of yards from New England’s defense.

Individual highlights on the field

On the Seahawks side, quarterback Sam Darnold had a safe start, completing 4 of 10 passes for 54 yards. In the ground game, Kenneth Walker III contributed 16 yards on five carries. Receiver AJ Barner was a big target, with 27 yards on two receptions. Defensivamente, Ernest Jones IV and Drake Thomas led the way with four tackles each.

In the Patriots, Drake Maye completed 4 of 5 passes for 34 yards, but was pressured constantly. Rhamondre Stevenson was the offensive highlight with 17 rushing yards. Kayshon Boutte came up with a long reception for 21 yards. On defense, Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones recorded two tackles each in an attempt to contain Seattle’s attack.

The context of the season and absences in the final

The clash at Super Bowl in 2026 crowns a season of excellence for both franchises. Durante the regular phase of 2025, both the Seattle Seahawks, champions of the NFC Oeste, and the New England Patriots, leaders of the AFC

However, the teams reached the decision with important absences. Os Seahawks could not count on Jared Ivey, Robbie Ouzts and Jalen Milroe, among others. Já the Patriots had the absences of Tommy DeVito, Caedan Wallace and CJ Dippre, forcing coaches to make adjustments and rely on the depth of their squads.

Still to play: expectations for the next periods of the match

With the score 3-0 for Seattle Seahawks at the end of the first quarter, the Super Bowl final is far from being decided. The minimal advantage keeps the game open, and the expectation is that Patriots will make tactical adjustments to overcome Seattle’s strong defense and put their first points on the scoreboard. The tactical confrontation between the coaches and the players’ execution in the next quarters will define the great champion of the NFL season.