Madden Simulation Super Bowl LX: New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks
On Sunday, the (14-3) New England Patriots are on the road at Levi Stadium, taking on the (14-3) Seattle Seahawks, for Super Bowl LX. Let's see how the game plays out in Madden NFL 26.
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First quarterThe Seattle Seahawks opened the game with the ball, starting with a quick three-yard completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. New England's defense answered immediately, as K'Lavon Chaisson broke through to drop Sam Darnold for a 13-yard sack.
Facing third-and-20, Darnold took a shot downfield, lofting a pass 41 yards to AJ Barner. Despite being double-covered, Barner went up and came down with the football, turning a busted drive into a massive gain.
The drive was capped off when Kenneth Walker III took a screen pass and waltzed into the end zone for the game's first touchdown.
End of first quarter: Seahawks 7, Patriots 0
Second quarterTreVeyon Henderson put on a show on the drive, piling up 32 yards on the ground and nine more through the air while picking up four key first downs. With how meaningful every inch was in this game, Drake Maye kept the chains moving on a third-and-inches quarterback sneak for another Patriots first down.
The drive ended with Maye firing a one-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper on a perfectly placed out route in the corner of the end zone, tying the game.
The Seahawks managed just one first down on the ensuing possession before being forced to punt.
Back with the ball, Maye used play action and found DeMario Douglas on a checkdown. Douglas turned upfield and racked up 18 yards, pushing the Patriots near midfield. Henderson followed with a 15-yard carry, bringing his rushing total to 51 yards on the day.
After the two-minute warning, pass rusher Leonard Williams broke through for a sack on Maye. A deep shot downfield sailed long, forcing New England to settle for an Andy Borregales field goal, giving the Patriots their first lead of the game.
Sam Darnold answered quickly, hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a comeback route. JSN turned upfield for a 43-yard gain, moving the Seahawks to the Patriots' 26-yard line with under a minute to play in the half. On third-and-five, Darnold stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike to Cooper Kupp at the five-yard line, who held on despite taking a big hit.
With eight seconds remaining and no timeout taken, Darnold rushed the offense to the line, took the snap himself, and dove headfirst into the end zone for the touchdown, giving Seattle the lead heading into halftime.
End of second quarter: Seahawks 14, Patriots 10
Third quarterThe Patriots came out firing to start the half, as Drake Maye connected with Stefon Diggs for his first catch of the game on a post route that went for 31 yards. On the very next play, Henderson burst through the line for a 19-yard gain, setting New England up at the Seahawks' 11-yard line. The drive was capped off by a seven-yard touchdown reception in the end zone by Hunter Henry.
The Seahawks responded by picking up two crucial first downs. On third-and-12, Sam Darnold found Rashid Shaheed on a deep crossing route to move the chains. Later, facing third-and-five, Walker III took a handoff and ripped off a 32-yard run for another first down, putting Seattle at the Patriots' 17-yard line.
After another first down, the Seahawks were facing first-and-goal when K'Lavon Chaisson brought down Darnold for his second sack of the game. But two plays later, needing a score, Darnold went right back to Shaheed, hitting him on a deep in-route for the touchdown, giving Seattle the lead once again.
End of third quarter: Seahawks 21, Patriots 17
Fourth quarterThe Patriots marched down the field with tight end Hunter Henry serving as the focal point of the offense, hauling in three receptions for 54 yards. The drive was capped off by Henry's go-ahead touchdown, giving New England the lead with just over five minutes remaining.
Seattle answered immediately. Kupp made a clutch catch on third-and-seven at midfield, moving the Seahawks to the Patriots' 23-yard line. A short pass to Walker III picked up another first down at the 12-yard line. Facing third-and-six from the eight, Sam Darnold dropped back and rifled a pass into the end zone, where Kupp laid out with a Superman-style dive to secure the touchdown. With 56 seconds remaining, the Seahawks were back on top.
The Patriots pushed the ball to the Seahawks' 48-yard line in the final seconds and took a shot on fourth down, but the Hail Mary attempt was batted away, sealing the win for the Seahawks.
Final score: Seahawks 28, Patriots 24
Notable stats- Sam Darnold: 21 for 25 passing, 245 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 carries, 5 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
- Drake Maye: 23 for 28 passing, 226 yards, 3 touchdowns
- TreVeyon Henderson: 13 carries, 75 yards, 4 receptions, 38 yards
- Kenneth Walker III: 11 carries, 71 yards, 4 receptions, 26 yards, 1 touchdown
- Cooper Kupp: 6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 touchdown
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 4 receptions, 65 yards
- Rashid Shaheed: 2 receptions, 23 yards, 1 touchdown
- A.J. Barner: 2 receptions, 44 yards
- Hunter Henry: 9 receptions, 85 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Stefon Diggs: 3 receptions, 57 yards
- Damario Douglas: 3 receptions, 38 yards
- Austin Hooper: 2 receptions, 4 yards, 1 touchdown
This will conclude the Madden Simulation season inside the EA Universe!