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Seahawks’ Super Bowl-Winning ‘Dark Side’ Defense: the New ‘Legion of Boom’?
Mike Macdonald led Seattle's dominant 'Dark Side' defense to six sacks and 14 points off turnovers, marking a shift toward defensive leadership in the NFL, analysts said.
- On Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, the Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara with Mike Macdonald becoming the first head coach to win as primary defensive play-caller, according to reports.
- Amid a coaching cycle focused on defense, the league's shift toward defensive-minded leadership is reflected by teams like Seattle, whose Super Bowl win confirmed defense can still dominate in 2026.
- The 'Dark Side' defense sacked Maye six times and forced two turnovers, holding the Patriots out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.
- Through three quarters the Patriots had nine punts, five three-and-outs and just 78 yards, and critics said McDaniels failed to adjust or protect rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who allowed nine pressures.
- Other defensive play-callers might attract coaching interest, and the 'Dark Side' is being compared to the 'Legion of Boom' in legacy talks.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Helena Independent Record
Is the Seahawks' Super Bowl-winning 'Dark Side' defense the new 'Legion of Boom'?
The Seattle Seahawks have shown that defense can still dominate in the NFL.
Rare moment between Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald and wife caught on video after Super Bowl triumph
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald and his wife, Stephanie, had a touching moment on the field after he coached the team to their second Super Bowl title in 12 years with a 29-13 win over the Patriots Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
Washington Top News
Washington TimesSeahawks’ Super Bowl-winning ‘Dark Side’ defense: the new ‘Legion of Boom’?
Undeterred by all the rules favoring the offense and quarterbacks bringing more athleticism than ever to the field, the Seattle Seahawks verified that defense…
Associated Press News
Seahawks' Super Bowl-winning 'Dark Side' defense: the new 'Legion of Boom'?
The Seattle Seahawks have shown that defense can still dominate in the NFL. On Sunday, they defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60.
Feting Macdonald without questioning Minter while awaiting Lamar to sign
We're onto next season! As the Seahawks were crowned Super Bowl LX champions, Luke Jones and Nestor marinate beyond a boring game and honor the Mike Macdonald defensive show in Seattle while acknowledging it's now "go time" for Eric DeCosta to get a deal done with Lamar Jackson as rookie head coach Jesse Minter settles into his new role in Owings Mills with the NFL Combine less than two weeks away.
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