Drake Maye Set an Unwanted Super Bowl Record in Seattle Loss
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye may have enjoyed a breakthrough season and earned a Super Bowl berth in his second year, but his postseason journey ended with a piece of history he never wanted. In the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, Maye was sacked six times, bringing his total for the 2025 playoff run to 18 sacks, the most ever recorded by a quarterback in a single postseason since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The relentless pressure from Seattle’s defensive front highlighted both the strength of the Seahawks’ defense and the challenges Maye faced throughout New England’s playoff schedule.
- Krishna Sagar
- 4 min read
When the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks took the field for Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, anticipation was high for a championship duel between two young and ascending quarterbacks. The Seahawks ultimately claimed a 29-13 victory, earning their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history and showcasing a dominant defensive performance that limited the Patriots to just one touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.
But for Patriots starter Drake Maye, the night was also marked by an unfortunate milestone. Maye was sacked six times by Seattle’s defensive front, pushing his postseason total to 18 sacks and giving him the most sacks taken by any quarterback in a single playoff run since 1970.
This unwanted record overshadowed what was otherwise a breakthrough season for the second-year signal-caller and underscored the physical toll of navigating a gauntlet of elite defenses en route to the NFL’s biggest stage.
Maye’s playoff journey was marked by consistent pressure from opposing defenses. Entering the Super Bowl, he had already been sacked 15 times across New England’s three playoff games, and the Seahawks’ defense added to that total in a game defined by defensive dominance.
1. Historic Sack Total in a Single Postseason
Maye’s struggles with pressure were not limited to one game or one defense. His 18 sacks in the 2025 postseason put him atop the list of quarterbacks enduring the most physical punishment in one playoff run. Although the all-time single postseason sack record remains Joe Burrow’s 19 during his 2021 playoff run with the Cincinnati Bengals, Maye’s total still surpasses virtually every effort in NFL history.
He became the first quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger to reach such a high sack tally in a single postseason, illustrating both the Seahawks’ defensive prowess and the challenges faced by young quarterbacks in high-stakes games.
Seattle’s ability to pressure Maye was a key factor throughout Super Bowl LX. In addition to the six sacks, the Seahawks generated consistent disruption, forcing turnovers and limiting the Patriots’ offensive rhythm.
The combination of relentless pass rush and disciplined coverage forced Maye into hurried decisions, making it difficult for New England to sustain drives and keep pace with Seattle’s scoring.
2. Tough Opponents, Tougher Outcomes
It is important to recognize the quality of competition that Maye faced on the way to Super Bowl LX. The Patriots faced four of the NFL’s top defenses during their playoff run, including the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Seahawks.
Many of these teams ranked among the league’s best in scoring defense during the regular season, with both Seattle and Houston finishing near the top of the charts. This level of competition compounded the challenges for Maye, who was tasked with sustaining drives against elite pass rushers and stifling defensive fronts game after game.
Despite the sacks, Maye managed key contributions during the Patriots’ postseason journey. He showed resilience with his legs and arm, and guided New England through tough playoff matchups to reach the Super Bowl.
The sophomore quarterback completed a majority of his throws in the playoffs and added rushing yards and a touchdown along the way, even as pressure mounted. But the record-setting sack total stood as a stark reminder of the physical and strategic demands of playoff football at the highest level.
3. Looking Ahead After the Season
As the Patriots reflect on the 2025 campaign and the lessons learned from Super Bowl LX, Maye’s experience under pressure is certain to be a central point of focus for the offseason.
While the sacks may be an unwanted highlight in franchise history books, the overall season demonstrated that Maye has the talent to lead a contending team.
With offseason developmental work and adjustments to offensive line personnel or scheme, New England will aim to protect its young quarterback more effectively and give him a better chance to thrive in future postseason runs.
In the end, while the scoreboard showed a 29-13 victory for Seattle and a triumphant night for the Seahawks, Drake Maye’s postseason sack record became one of the lasting storylines of Super Bowl LX. It is a record he never sought, but one that reflects the relentless pressure and physical demands of reaching the sport’s biggest stage.