All photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren

Before ending in one of the most excruciating moments in the history of Seattle sports, the Super Bowl pitting the Seahawks against the New England Patriots was exactly the kind of battle that fans hope for from the greatest spectacle in American sports.

Two lead changes, an unknown player emerging to ignite a slumbering Seahawks offense, Tom Brady and his Patriots overcoming a 10-point fourth quarter deficit, and a potential game-wining march in the final minute of regulation all made for one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory, ending in a 28-24 New England victory. The game also provided, until a fist-fight fueled by frustration broke out in the final seconds at least, a relatively respectable cap to the most bizarre and humiliating lead up to a championship game that the NFL has ever seen.

While Rusell Wilson took a while to get started, not even completing a pass until almost 20 minutes into the game, he ended the day with 247 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception (more on that in a bit). Of those yards, 109 went to a guy named Chris Matthews, who recorded both his first NFL reception and touchdown on this biggest of stages, and who also, Chris Collinsworth reminded us over and over again, worked in a Foot Locker last off-season. Thanks, Chris.

Tom Brady, under heavy pressure from the Seahawks defensive front, threw 2 interceptions, but also managed 328 yards and 4 touchdowns, breaking numerous Super Bowl records along the way to winning his fourth Lombardi Trophy and third Most Valuable Player award.

The Seattle defense stood stout against the New England run game, limiting team leader LeGarrette Blout to 40 yards. The Seahawks had a respectable day on the ground with Wilson scrambling for 39 and Marshawn Lynch logging 102, though many thought that should have been 103 (more on that later).

There were a couple cringe-worthy moments. Early in the first quarter, Jeremy Lane intercepted a Tom Brady pass near the end zone and had a decent return before tumbling out of pounds and bending (and breaking) his arm in what could have been a well-placed promo for the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. And Doug Baldwin one-upped Marshawn Lynch’s crotch-grab following his own third quarter touchdown, making as though he were pooping out (or on) the football. Points for originality and a flag for unsportmanlike conduct.

But, really, all anyone is talking about today is the final Seahawk’s play from scrimmage. Following on an unlikely drive in the final minute of play, Wilson and co. found themselves on the one yard line, second and goal. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell made the call, a quick slant to Ricardo Lockette as the primary target. Wilson attempted to shoehorn the pass, Lockette (maybe) let up, and rookie Patriots defender Malcolm Butler read the pass, stepped in front of the receiver and intercepted the ball. In the game’s aftermath, fans and commentators alike questioned the Seahawk’s decision to pass instead of running with Marshawn Lynch. Chris Collinsworth was especially incensed, perhaps ignoring the fact that Lynch has run the ball from the one yard line 5 times this season for an average of -1 yard and only 1 touchdown. That is maybe the kind of information you would expect from someone paid to make sense of the biggest sporting event of the year. Hey, did you hear Chris Matthews worked at Foot Locker?

But along with the angry questioning of that final call, there also came from fans on Twitter an outpouring of appreciation for the season, love for the players, and eyes on Super Bowl 50. Downtown Seattle remained mostly silent last night as the dejected fans headed home, 12th Man flags still flying. Seattle seems to have taken the loss—a truly exquisite one in the annals of modern sport—and, like the team it loves is known to do, turned it into motivation for next year.

With one Lombardi in the trophy case, a loss feels different now. In the place of hopelessness there is hope. Always.

To view Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren’s slideshow of the game, click here. And Go Hawks!

Richard Sherman congratulate Chris Matthews after his first NFL touchdown.

Russell Wilson slides in for a gain.

Marshawn Lynch bursts downfield for some of his 102 yards on the day.

And then he celebrates.

Seahawk receiver Doug Baldwin reaches for the footabll to complete a touchdown in the first half.

Red, white, and blue balloons light up the field during the halftime show.

Katy Perry rides a giant lion to begin the halftime show.

Tom Brady launches a pass in the second half.

Katy Perry performs a crowd of over 72,000 during the halftime show.

Ricardo Lockette moves upfield for a gain.

Chris Matthews comes up with a touchown in the first half for Seattle.

Katy Perry improbably flies over the crowd during the halftime show.

Katy Perry improbably flies over the crowd during the halftime show.

Players from each team fight for a deep endzone pass in the second quarter. The play was ruled incomplete.

Julian Edelman catches a touchdown.

Seattle fans cheer in the second half.

Marshawn Lynch catches a deep pass on the game’s final drive.

Jermaine Kearse eyes a bobbled ball, which he would eventually, improbably catch.

Seattle fans cheer during the final drive.

A Patriot fan cheer for the team after they win on a last-minute interception.

Seattle fans react to the heartbreaking loss.

Just a warning. This doesn’t end well …

Linebacker Mike Morgan flies the 12th Man flag from the field before the game.

A fan carriers a box of fried chicken and fries to his seat.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks with Seahawks’ owner Paul Allen before the game.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks with Seahawks’ owner Paul Allen before the game.

A Seahawk fan shows off his anti-Pats headgear.

Seahawks’ fans work their way throughoutt the stadium before the game.

Seahawks’ fans work their way throughoutt the stadium before the game.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with Russell Wilson.

Full of hope, a Hawks fan glances at the big screen.

Full of hope, a Hawks fan glances at the big screen.

The Patriots mascot waits for the game to begin.

Arizona State Universtiy’s marching band warms up the crowd.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson warms up before the big game.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass in the first quarter.

Seahawks’ running back Marshawn Lynch rumbles upfield for a gain.

Jeremy Lane runs upfield after intercepting a pass by Tom Brady.

Marshawn Lynch reaches for extra yardage.

Julian Edelman evades Seattle defenders in the first half.

New England fans cheer as their team takes an early lead.

A Seattle fan reacts to New England’s first touchdown.

Chris Matthews catches a deep pass.

Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski catches a touchdown.

Russell Wilson scrambles away from a Patriots lineman.