Seattle Seahawks’ Defensive Prowess and the Numbers Behind It

When it comes to football, it seems like numbers are everywhere—from inches to game statistics, they’ve become a fundamental part of the sport.

The NFL has increasingly evolved into a numbers-driven game. Whether you’re analyzing fourth downs, metrics like Expected Points Added (EPA), or completion percentage, these figures have become a staple, outlining team strategies and performances.

The Seattle Seahawks have reached the Super Bowl, boasting one of the league’s top defenses.

This defensive unit is, interestingly, a bit of a paradox.

Before we dig into the stats on the field, let’s glance at some off-field metrics. Starting with the defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA), the Seahawks have set a pretty high bar.

Speaking of EPA, the Seahawks have fared quite well, indicating their performance through the regular season.

This elite defense hasn’t just maintained its strength; it’s performed exceptionally in playoff games.

Analyzing the numbers suggests the New England Patriots may actually be statistically superior defensively during the postseason. This could be crucial for their strategy going into Super Bowl LX. If their defense can secure just one more stellar game—or even prompt a “Bad Sam Darnold Game”—they might well pull off an upset.

While statistics underscore Seattle’s defensive strengths, the practices implemented by Mike McDonald and his team reveal how they came about these impressive results.

At the core are the players themselves.

In recent NFL seasons, offensive strategies have shifted towards larger personnel configurations. For instance, the Los Angeles Rams made headlines by incorporating 13 offensive players into their lineups—lots of big bodies on the field. This shift has encouraged teams to reconsider their defensive setups.

As offenses have lightened to accommodate this shift, defenses have adapted, employing more nickel and dime packages. It seems everybody is adjusting in response to these evolving dynamics.

Some defenses opt for more straightforward approaches.

The Seahawks, however, often deployed five or more defensive backs, logging an impressive 92.5% of defensive snaps during the regular season, which was the highest rate in the league.

This rate dipped slightly in the playoffs, yet they managed to have five or more defensive backs on the field for 88% of their snaps over two playoff games—a commendable figure.

But it’s not just about personnel; it’s about the strategies employed by McDonald. Instead of crowding the box to defend against runs, the Seahawks typically maintained their two-deep safety coverage, trusting their defensive line to engage at the point of attack while their secondary focused on preventing runs.

This approach has yielded impressive results. Opponents managed just 3.7 yards per carry—a league low. Remarkably, the Seahawks haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 26 games.

The streak continued into the playoffs, as demonstrated when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy led the team in rushing with merely 37 yards.

Looking ahead, the Seahawks may be matched up against the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, where the Rams’ Blake Colm rushed for 55 yards.

So, how did Seattle achieve this level of success?

Talent at every level of their defense plays a key role.

The front line features a rotation that includes Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, Derrick Hall, and Boi Maffe. The inside players like Murphy, Williams, and Reed may often find themselves outnumbered, yet their work opens opportunities for second-level linebackers and defensive backs who aren’t hesitant to take risks.

Take, for example, a play from Seattle’s Week 18 victory against the 49ers. The 49ers were in a 21-personnel setup with two running backs and a tight end. Seattle countered by sending five defensive backs onto the field—a surprisingly bold choice, making it risky for Kyle Shanahan to call for a run.

Despite this, the 49ers could only manage a 2-yard gain.

Defensive linemen Williams and Murphy held the front, forcing McCaffrey to reroute, while defensive back Emanwori slid into the box to lend support, demonstrating that even with limited personnel, Seattle’s defense performs effectively.

Consider another play where Jones spun around while defensive linemen shifted left. In this 2-and-5 situation, the 49ers still found themselves limited to just a one-yard gain.

Seattle continued to thwart runs with their nickel defense even against larger offensive packages. Against the 49ers in the divisional round, McCaffrey attempted a run behind tight ends, but the presence of five defensive backs stifled him before he could advance.

About the Rams again—during an NFC Championship Game, they deployed three tight ends. However, the Seahawks successfully stopped a run without yielding any ground.

In instances like these, Lawrence’s ability to control the line of scrimmage is crucial; he forces running backs to cut back, allowing quick reinforcements to make their mark.

These moments showcase how the Seahawks have managed to overcome challenges, even when lacking in numbers. The true test, of course, lies in whether this strategy holds up in Super Bowl LX. Notably, the Patriots come in with a formidable passing game, boasting 69 impactful pass plays of 20 yards or more.

So, will this trend continue? Well, we might just find out soon enough.