SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Seahawks are still soaking in the glory of their 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots, and it looks like their wallets will stay heavy too. Despite a heated fourth-quarter altercation that many expected to trigger league discipline, the NFL has not issued fines for cornerback Josh Jobe or Patriots wideout Stefon Diggs as of late Saturday. This “no-call” on the discipline front effectively cements a clean sweep for Seattle following their dominant defensive display at Levi’s Stadium.
The Sideline Scrap That Officials Missed
The incident sparked early in the fourth quarter after a scramble by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Jobe leveled Diggs well out of bounds, a move that sent the veteran receiver to the turf. Diggs didn’t take the hit lying down; he sprang up and grabbed Jobe’s facemask, pulling the defender toward him. Jobe answered with a two-hit combo to Diggs’ helmet—one open-handed slap followed by what appeared to be a closed-fist punch.
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay was vocal during the broadcast, stating that Jobe “absolutely should have been penalized” and potentially ejected for the punch. However, because no flag flew on the field, the league office in New York couldn’t intervene during the game. Seattle outpaced New England with a relentless 6-sack performance, and this missed penalty allowed the Seahawks to keep their defensive momentum entirely intact during the closing minutes.
“Look, it’s the Super Bowl. Emotions are red-lining. We play a physical brand of ball in Seattle, and sometimes things get chippy when the stakes are this high. We’re just glad to move on and focus on this trophy.”
— Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
Seattle’s Historic Defensive Masterclass
While the scuffle dominated social media, the real story was Seattle’s defense. The Seahawks “Dark Side” unit held the Patriots to just 78 total yards through three quarters. Kenneth Walker III secured MVP honors with 135 rushing yards, but the defensive front proved to be the difference-maker. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon forced a crucial fumble late in the game, which Uchenna Nwosu returned 45 yards for the score that effectively ended New England’s hopes.
The league’s decision to withhold fines mirrors the 2025 Super Bowl, where officials also opted for a hands-off approach to post-game financial punishment. For Jobe, this is a massive win. A suspension or heavy fine would have put a damper on his breakout postseason. Instead, he enters the 2026 offseason with a clean slate and a second Super Bowl ring for the franchise—joining the legendary 2014 squad in the history books.
Championship Implications and the 2026-27 Road
The Seahawks are now the betting favorites to repeat in 2027, with quarterback Sam Darnold expected to return after a stellar 202-yard, 1-touchdown performance. The Patriots, led by a maturing Drake Maye, showed flashes of life late, but the gap between Seattle’s veteran-led defense and New England’s young offense was clear. With the parade set for Wednesday, Seattle fans can breathe easy knowing their stars won’t be paying for their Super Bowl intensity.
