Pete Carroll takes blame for Super Bowl XLIX defeat to Patriots

The Seattle Seahawks had a chance to clinch their second consecutive championship, driving to the New England Patriots' one-yard line with less than a minute remaining.

Related: Russell Wilson on loss to Patriots: 'I put the blame on me' 

However, the Seahawks inexplicably opted to throw a slant route, instead of turning to bruising running back Marshawn Lynch. The pass was intercepted by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler with 20 seconds remaining. It was the first interception thrown by a quarterback from the 1-yard line this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. 

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll took responsibility for the game-altering play call and the defeat in a post-game interview.

"I told the guys, 'That’s my fault, totally.' We had plenty of chances to win that game," Carroll said. "For it to come down to a play like that, I hate that we have to live with that." 

"We were going to run in the ball to win the game, just not on that down," Carroll added. 

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said the clock - there were 26 seconds left - was why the play was called:

We were conscious of how much time was on the clock and we wanted to use it all. It didn't turn out the way I hoped it would.

Of course I can say now I wish we had done something different. There are 20 different things going through my mind that we can do. If you run it that doesn't mean you would score on that play.

Seattle led 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but a pair of Tom Brady touchdowns in the fourth quarter propelled the Patriots to their fourth Super Bowl victory in franchise history.