Seahawks Return to Super Bowl Haunted by a Moment That Changed Everything

When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots last met in the Super Bowl, on Feb. 1, 2015, it turned into a pivotal moment for both franchises.

The Patriots’ 28–24 victory, clinched by Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line in the final minute, sparked a second dynasty in New England. It was the first of three titles and four Super Bowl trips in a five-year span for the Patriots.

The loss prevented the Seahawks from winning a second straight Super Bowl and, according to pretty much everyone in Seattle, cost them a shot at immortality.

The Seahawks never got over offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s decision to have a young Russell Wilson throw a slant pattern to Ricardo Lockette — who had been targeted only 15 times all season — instead of handing the ball to Marshawn Lynch.

Butler jumped in front of Lockette, made the interception, and the rest is history.

That call fractured the Seahawks’ locker room.

“Not only did they take a ring, a moment — they took a dream,” Lynch told The Athletic years later. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime situation.”

Just weeks earlier, Mike Macdonald had been promoted from intern to defensive assistant by Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

In his second season as an NFL head coach, Macdonald — now 38 years old — has led the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl for the first time since that monumental defeat.

Considering he’s a student of the game, one would think Macdonald would hand the ball to Kenneth Walker III should the same situation arise when the Seahawks and Patriots meet in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Seattle advanced with a nail-biting 31–27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in the NFC Championship as Sam Darnold threw for a season-high 346 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

That performance even drew praise from Wilson, who posted on X:

“Sam Darnold’s comeback story over the past 2 years has been one of the most inspirational things to watch! Cool seeing him overcome!!! Congrats bro. Hope you win it! Go Hawks.”

Darnold had plenty of help.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown, and Walker rushed for 62 yards and a score. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon knocked down third- and fourth-down passes in the end zone after the Rams reached Seattle’s 6-yard line with five minutes remaining.

“This is the power of 12 is one, man,” the normally reserved Macdonald nearly shouted from a podium set up on the field during an interview on Fox, referring to the Seahawks and their fans. “This is a heckuva job. When you do it together, this is what you can do.”

The Seahawks also overcame one of the dumbest penalties in playoff history.

After knocking down a third-and-12 pass intended for Puka Nacua near midfield late in the third quarter, Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was called for taunting the Rams’ bench.

On the next play, Nacua beat Woolen on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford, cutting Seattle’s lead to 31–27.

“I gotta be more self-aware. I had taunting penalties earlier in the season, so they were already (on high alert),” Woolen said of the officials. “You’re going against one of the best receivers in the league, so refs — they’re going to be more lenient to those type of guys. I gotta celebrate with the team; I gotta be a great player and be better in that spot.”

Woolen threw his helmet when he returned to the bench after Nacua’s touchdown and had a brief but heated exchange with rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori.

That the Seahawks held on to win prevented Woolen from potentially being listed next to Bevell among Seattle sports villains.

“He had a moment. It be like that sometimes,” Witherspoon said of Woolen. “But we always stand behind him. We’re not afraid to look each other in the eye and tell you where you’re wrong. And that’s the best part about our defense over here, bro. We’re gonna tell you where you’re wrong and where you right.

“Then we go out there and handle business, regardless.”