The NFL showpiece — enlivened by a joyous half-time performance from Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny — largely failed to deliver in terms of thrills on the pitch at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold threw one touchdown and kicker Jason Myers slotted a Super Bowl-record five field goals as the Seahawks clinched the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a second time.
New England’s Drake Maye had been bidding to become the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the Super Bowl after leading the Patriots through a resurgent regular season campaign.
But the 23-year-old endured a nightmare outing in the biggest game of his young career, getting sacked six times and failing to get the Patriots offence moving throughout.
New England was forced to punt away eight of its first nine possessions, and although they finally got in the end zone with a fourth quarter touchdown, Maye’s misery continued with an interception that led to another Myers field goal.
There was no let up for Maye after that, with the New England quarterback being strip-sacked, allowing linebacker Uchenna Nwosu to race into the end zone for a touchdown. (AFP)
