The New England Patriots did enough to at least keep them in Super Bowl 60 for the first three quarters.
Yet, New England’s superstar linebacker Robert Spillane didn’t see it like that.
Spillane spoke about his disappointment in himself and the rest of the Patriots defense after their 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sunday night.
The Pats held the Seahawks to just three first-half field goals, and limited Sam Darnold and the high-octane Seattle offense to just 23 points and 335 yards of total offense.
Spillane had four tackles in the Super Bowl loss, which dropped New England’s all-time record to 6-6 in championship games.
Robert Spillane: The Patriots Defense ‘Did Not Play Well Enough to Win’ Super Bowl 60
The Patriots offense was shut out for the first three quarters, and QB Drake Maye turned the ball over three times including a pick-6 to Uchenna Nwosu that effectively sealed the game.
Still, according to Spillane, it was his performance, and the Patriots’ defense, who did not rise to the occasion.
“It’s hard to be proud of myself,” Spillane said. “I know my wife is proud. I know my mom and dad are proud of me, but I feel like I let them down tonight, and it hurts.
“We needed to get some turnovers. We needed to get the ball out, and we failed to do that. … I didn’t make the play I needed to make to get the ball out to change the game.”
Spillane singled out the Patriots run defense’s inability to slow down Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III as the difference. Walker had 135 rushing yards and two catches for 26 yards, accounting for almost half of Seattle’s offensive output.
“He’s a great back, and they got the better of us tonight,” Spillane said. “Our run defense was great all year, but unfortunately it wasn’t at our best tonight.”
The pain Spillane was feeling was palpable after the game.
“It’s painful. It hurts,” Spillane said. “You pour your whole life into moments like this and into playing at the pinnacle at your sport, and it hurts.”
The Patriots Defense ‘Will Be Back’ According to Robert Spillane
Spillane was the Patriots’ defensive captain during the regular season, and they were excellent all year and into the playoffs — where they surrendered just 26 points in their first three games.
So even though the Patriots lost in his first Super Bowl, Spillane, who is signed through 2027, feels he and the Pats defense have a lot to look forward to — particularly those like Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Milton Williams and others who are locked in for years to come.
“We do have a great core of guys that are gonna be back on the team,” Spillane said. “We realize this season didn’t end the way we wanted to, and that just adds to the fuel in the fire and the chip on our shoulder.
“We have so much left to prove, and I know we’re all disappointed and angry right now, but we’re just going to continue to fight, bounce back and do everything we can to have a great season next year.”
Patriots LB Robert Spillane Delivers Brutal Admission on Defense’s Performance