The Seattle Seahawks struck first in Super Bowl LX, opening the scoring with a 33-yard field goal on their opening drive against the New England Patriots. The kick gave Seattle an early 3-0 lead in a game that marks the second Super Bowl meeting between these franchises in 11 years. The teams previously clashed in Super Bowl XLIX, creating a sense of déjà vu for fans watching this championship rematch.

The Seahawks enter this game with a dramatically different identity than their 2015 counterpart. Under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle boasts what analysts call "The Dark Side" defense, which has been the team's backbone throughout the season. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who took a circuitous route to the Super Bowl after being a first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2018, now leads the offense after signing a three-year deal with Seattle in free agency prior to the 2025 season.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have undergone their own transformation. No longer the empire of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, New England is now led by MVP runner-up Drake Maye and AP Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel. The Patriots' journey to this point is particularly remarkable, considering they endured a three-win season just one year ago. This young, spunky team has defied expectations to reach the league's biggest stage.

Both teams' paths to Super Bowl LX have been markedly different from their previous meeting, yet they find themselves once again competing for the Lombardi Trophy at Levi's Stadium. The early field goal sets the tone for what promises to be an intriguing battle between two franchises with rich histories but contrasting present-day identities.

Quick Fact: Super Bowl LX marks the second meeting between the Seahawks and Patriots, 11 years after their first championship clash in Super Bowl XLIX.