Drake Maye’s three turnovers, including a critical fumble, significantly contributed to the New England Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 on February 8, 2026, dashing hopes for a seventh franchise championship. The second-year quarterback, who was the NFL’s most accurate passer during the regular season and an MVP contender, was relentlessly pressured by Seattle’s defense, leading to a disappointing performance on the sport’s biggest stage.
Maye was sacked seven times and lost a fumble in the first half that set up a touchdown pass by Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, extending Seattle’s lead to 19-0. The fumble occurred when Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon stripped the ball, and it was recovered by Seattle, leading to a scoring drive that put the game out of reach early. This turnover epitomized a day where Maye struggled to find rhythm, with the Patriots’ offense gaining only 51 total yards in the first half, the fewest in a Super Bowl in over three decades.
Despite the early deficit, Maye showed flashes of resilience, completing a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mack Hollins in the third quarter to cut the lead to 19-7. However, any momentum was short-lived, as he threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one of which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown by Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, sealing the victory for Seattle. Maye finished the game 27 of 43 for 295 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but the three total turnovers proved insurmountable for the Patriots.
The game marked a stark contrast to Maye’s regular season, where he led the Patriots to a 14-3 record, throwing for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. His poise and accuracy were hallmarks of New England’s turnaround under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, making the Super Bowl collapse all the more surprising. The Patriots had averaged 18 points per game in the playoffs, but were held in check by a Seattle defense that dominated the line of scrimmage and forced New England into unfavorable down-and-distance situations.
Seattle’s ‘Dark Side’ defense effectively neutralized Maye by sending frequent blitzes, particularly targeting left tackle Will Campbell, who allowed multiple sacks. This pressure kept Maye from establishing a consistent passing game, as the Patriots converted only 2 of 7 third-down attempts in the first half and punted on eight of their first nine drives. The Seahawks’ ability to generate turnovers and capitalize on them was key, with the fumble recovery and pick-six being decisive moments in the game.
In the aftermath, Maye revealed he had received a pain-killing injection for a shoulder issue before the game, though it remains unclear how much this affected his performance. The loss denied the Patriots a chance to break a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history, ending a Cinderella season that followed two consecutive 4-13 finishes. For Maye, the game serves as a learning experience in his young career, highlighting areas for improvement in ball security under pressure.
Looking ahead, the Patriots will need to address offensive line issues and Maye’s tendency to turn the ball over in big moments, as they aim to build on a successful season. Meanwhile, the Seahawks celebrated their second Super Bowl title, with their defense proving that aggressive, turnover-forcing play can prevail on the biggest stage. The game underscored the fine margins in championship football, where a single fumble can alter the course of history.
