GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A few thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' 28-24 loss Sunday to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium:
What it means: The Seahawks failed to become the first team in 10 years to win back-to-back Super Bowls. The last team to do was the team that beat them -- the Patriots. The loss ended Seattle's win streak at eight games after going 6-4 in the first half of the season.
Senseless call: In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks had the ball at the New England 1 on second down. Giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch seemed like a no-brainer, but Russell Wilson threw a slant intended for Ricardo Lockette. Malcolm Butler stepped up and picked off the pass to seal the victory.
Ugly ending: Before the final seconds ticked away, an ugly brawl broke out in the end zone involving at least a dozen players. Seattle linebacker Bruce Irvin was ejected.
Lane big play, bad injury: Seattle nickelback Jeremy Lane came up with a huge interception in the first quarter with a pick in the end zone, but he also appeared to fracture his left wrist when he was tackled on the play and did not return. It was the first interception of Lane's three-year NFL career. Lane made headlines 10 days before the game by talking about Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski and saying: "I don't think he's that good."
Game ball: For a guy who didn't even get on the active roster until December, it was quite a playoff showing for rookie Chris Matthews. The former CFL receiver had the first TD catch of his career, an 11-yarder at the end of the first half. He also made a spectacular, diving 44-yard catch in the second quarter that led to Seattle's first TD of the game. And he added a 45-yard catch on the other side of the field in the third quarter that led to a Seattle field goal. He is the only player in the three Super Bowls for the Seahawks to post a 100-yard receiving game, finishing with four catches for 109 yards. Matthews also came up with the onside kick recovery in the fourth quarter of the comeback victory over Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game two weeks ago.
Rough night for Simon: After Lane left the game, the Seahawks moved cornerback Byron Maxwell inside to nickel cornerback and inserted Tharold Simon in Maxwell's outside spot. Simon gave up two TD passes, one on the second quarter to Brandon LaFell on an 11-yard slant and one in the fourth quarter to Julian Edelman on a 3-yard throw that gave the Patriots the lead.
Half a minute for an 80-yard TD: The Seahawks tied the game at 14 all at the end of the first half with a five-play, 80-yard drive that took 29 seconds. They had 87 yards the rest of the half, and 44 of those came on the catch by Matthews.
What's next: The Seahawks return home Monday and will try to sort through how they let a 10-point lead slip away in the final eight minutes. The team also begins an offseason that likely will include a contract extension for Wilson that will make him one of the game's highest-paid players. Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner also could get a big-money extension, and one report Sunday said the Seahawks will may talk to Lynch about a contract extension.
