Seattle Seahawks set early pace and open scoring against New England Patriots in 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, and the first quarter ended with a minimal but significant advantage for the Seattle team, which established a score of 3-0. The confrontation, awaited by millions of spectators, already demonstrated in the opening minutes the tactical balance and defensive strength that marked the campaign of both teams during the season.

From the opening whistle, the atmosphere in the stadium reflected the magnitude of the event, with both teams demonstrating focus and determination. Os Seahawks managed to capitalize on their first consistent offensive campaign, while Patriots found it difficult to overcome the opponent’s strong defensive line. Cada yard gained was the result of a physical and strategic battle, setting the tone for the remainder of the decisive match.

Precise opening of the scoreboard

The Seahawks advantage was built through an accurate field goal by kicker Jason Myers. The score came at 11 minutes and 58 seconds of the first quarter, concluding an eight-play offensive drive that covered 51 yards. The play demonstrated the efficiency of Seattle’s attack at crucial moments, converting good field position into points on the scoreboard.

Quarterback Sam Darnold was responsible for commanding the advance, connecting short and medium passes with his receivers, mainly J. Smith-Njigba and A. Barner. The Patriots defense, despite giving up yards, managed to contain the opponent’s momentum in the red zone, forcing a field goal attempt and avoiding a touchdown that would have widened the deficit early on.

Seattle’s defense dominates the early game

The New England Patriots attack had a difficult start to the game, being largely neutralized by the aggressiveness of the Seahawks defense. Quarterback Drake Maye was under constant pressure and was sacked twice during the first quarter, resulting in a total loss of 20 yards. Esses moves slowed the team’s offensive rhythm and made it difficult to build longer plays.

The main people responsible for the pressure were Derick Hall and Devon Witherspoon, who recorded the sacks and led a defensive unit that proved relentless. Seattle’s defensive performance was essential in maintaining control of the match, forcing Patriots to resort to two punts in the period and preventing any real threat to their end zone.

Patriots’s offensive difficulties

Despite Seattle’s defensive dominance, Patriots had some flashes of offensive efficiency. Runner Rhamondre Stevenson was the highlight, accumulating 17 yards in four attempts and showing the strength to break tackles. However, their isolated efforts were not enough to sustain offensive campaigns and move the currents consistently.

Drake Maye completed 4 of 5 passes for 34 yards, but constant pressure prevented him from finding deep receivers. Attempts to establish a more aggressive aerial game were frustrated by the precise coverage of the Seahawks secondary and the quick arrival of the defensive line, forcing the New England attack to adapt and look for alternatives for the next quarters.

Analysis of first quarter numbers

The statistics from the opening period reveal a more balanced game than the score suggests, but with a clear efficiency advantage for Seattle. Os Seahawks totaled 65 yards on 16 plays, while Patriots got 39 yards on 13 plays. Curiosamente, New England had a slight advantage in possession (7:44 vs 7:16), but were unable to translate that time into points.

Seattle got four first downs, compared to three for Patriots, and was more effective in third-down situations. A notable point was the discipline of both teams, which did not commit turnovers or suffer penalties that resulted in loss of yards, indicating a high level of concentration in the final.

Outstanding individual performances

On the Seahawks side, in addition to Sam Darnold’s leadership, runner Kenneth Walker III contributed 16 yards on five runs, helping to establish the ground game. In defense, Ernest Jones IV and Drake Thomas stood out with four tackles each, showing great activity in the center of the field.

In Patriots, receiver Kayshon Boutte was responsible for the attack’s most explosive play, with a 21-yard reception. On defense, cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones recorded two tackles each, trying to contain Seattle’s aerial advance and keep the team in the match.

History and embezzlement in the decision

Both teams reached Super Bowl after impressive campaigns in the 2025 season, with identical records of 14 wins and 3 losses, dominating their respective conferences. The final represents the culmination of a journey of consistency and high performance. However, both teams entered the field with important absences. Os Seahawks did not have Jared Ivey and Robbie Ouzts, while Patriots had the absences of Tommy DeVito and Caedan Wallace, among others, testing the depth of their casts.

Expectations for the sequence of the match

With the score 3-0, the 2026 Super Bowl final remains completely open. The expectation is that New England Patriots will make tactical adjustments to better protect its quarterback and find gaps in Seattle’s defense. Do On the other hand, Seahawks will seek to maintain defensive intensity and capitalize on attacking opportunities to extend the advantage. The confrontation promises even more excitement in the next quarters.