Why Special Teams Matter After the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX Triumph
In the 29-13 win by the Seattle Seahawks over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, special teams played a larger role than many realize. Seattle’s investment in elite kicking and punting helped the team build an early lead and maintain control throughout the game. The Seahawks’ kicker, Jason Myers, set a Super Bowl record by converting five field goals, and punter Michael Dickson consistently pinned the Patriots deep. Meanwhile, New England relied on rookie specialists with far less experience and lower payroll investment. The contrast in roster construction and execution across special teams contributed to field position advantages and critical points that shaped the outcome of the game.
- Krishna Sagar
- 4 min read
When the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night, most of the spotlight was on the defense, the offense, and the MVP performance by running back Kenneth Walker III.
Yet in a game where every possession and every point mattered, special teams quietly influenced the flow of the contest and helped set the tone for Seattle’s victory. The Seahawks opened the scoring with a field goal and never trailed, as veteran kicker Jason Myers converted five field goals, giving Seattle nine unanswered points before the first touchdown was scored.
On the punting side, Michael Dickson’s precision consistently gave Seattle defensive starters better territory to work with. In contrast, the New England special teams units, comprised of players on rookie contracts, faced the biggest stage of their careers with mixed results.
That difference in strategy, spending, usage, and execution helps explain why special teams deserve credit in the final analysis of Seattle’s championship performance.
1. Seattle’s Heavy Special Teams Investment
The Seahawks came into Super Bowl LX with one of the highest combined pay slots in the NFL for their kicker and punter. Seattle’s special teams payroll included $9.325 million for kicker Jason Myers and punter Michael Dickson, with Myers among the league’s better-paid kickers and Dickson the top-earner at punter.
That kind of investment reflects Seattle’s emphasis on often underestimated aspects of the game. In big moments, especially in championship settings, reliable kicking and strong punting can provide stability that helps a team grind out a victory when offensive explosiveness might be harder to achieve. Myers’ performance in the Super Bowl made that spending look justified, as his consistent accuracy gave Seattle points when drives stalled and kept pressure on New England’s offense. ([turn0search48])
By comparison, the Patriots approached special teams with a much different financial and structural commitment. New England’s kicker, Andres Borregales, and punter, Bryce Baringer, were both on rookie contracts, earning a combined total near the bottom of the league in those positions.
This strategy is common among teams looking to allocate resources elsewhere, but in a championship game, the difference in experience and salary investment can be reflected in performance, confidence, and execution when every yard and point counts.
2. Special Teams Performance in the Game
From the very beginning, special teams affected the scoreboard. Myers opened Super Bowl LX with a 33-yard field goal and added four more, including kicks of 39 and 41 yards in the first half to give Seattle a 9-0 lead at the break.
That early cushion allowed Seattle to play with more strategic flexibility on offense and rely on a defense that would dominate throughout the contest. Myers’ five field goals set a new Super Bowl mark and gave Seattle a steady stream of points when offensive drives stalled before reaching the end zone.
Punter Michael Dickson also played an understated but important role. His ability to pin the Patriots inside their own territory forced New England’s offense to work longer fields and helped limit opportunities for scoring before later touchdowns.
The consistent performance from special teams often changes field position by a handful of yards on each possession, and in a game where every advantage helps, Seattle capitalized on those finer details.
3. The Patriots’ Special Teams in Contrast
New England’s Andres Borregales made some key kicks during the season, and the rookie did not shy away from pressure situations. However, the 2025 season included misses in extreme conditions, and while the Super Bowl itself was played in favorable weather, the lack of elite experience showed relative inconsistency compared to Myers’ veteran poise.
Meanwhile, punter Bryce Baringer, though productive in the regular season, saw his punts less effective in terms of controlling field position in the postseason than Seattle’s punting unit. The difference in performance did not define the game, but it added an extra challenge for the Patriots in a matchup with limited scoring opportunities.
Special teams have shaped many championship games in NFL history. Iconic plays like missed kicks or clutch field goals have swung titles and defined legacies.
In Super Bowl LX, though the story was dominated by Seattle’s defense and overall team execution, special teams also contributed to the narrative by consistently converting scoring opportunities and helping Seattle build the lead that kept New England at bay. The game underscored how championship football is not just about offense and defense but about the complete package that includes kicking, punting, and situational execution.