Field Gulls
The Seahawks arrive at the NFC Championship riding their most complete performance of the season. The Divisional Round tape against the San Francisco 49ers showed a defense capable of controlling games through structure, discipline, and communication, paired with an offense that dictated terms early and finished drives. But there is an important and uncomfortable reminder attached to this matchup.
The only moment all season where the Seahawks defense was “dominated” on tape came against the Rams second matchup. Early in that game, Los Angeles displaced Seattle’s front, consistently won at the point of attack with their 13 Personnel, stressed second-level fits, and forced the defense out of its preferred structure. It wasn’t until Mike Macdonald adjusted fronts, gap responsibilities, and coverage spacing that Seattle stabilized and clawed its way back into control. That context is precisely why this game is dangerous.
This NFC Championship is not about discovering new weaknesses. It’s about whether Seattle can sustain those adjustments from the opening snap against an opponent that has already shown it knows exactly where to apply pressure. The stress points are clear, and the margins are thin.
The most critical defensive lesson from the Divisional Round was not about pressure generation, but about finishing plays within structure. Against Brock Purdy, Seattle consistently collapsed the pocket but allowed too many off-script extensions. Against Matthew Stafford, that same issue becomes exponentially more dangerous and is important to note that Mike Macdonald not sacked Stafford yet.
Stafford does not need to scramble to beat defenses. He wins by subtly moving within the pocket, resetting his base, and throwing into windows created by late leverage breakdowns. The Rams’ offense is built to stress second-level defenders through condensed formations, pre-snap motion, and layered route concepts that force linebackers and safeties into constant conflict.
If Seattle’s rush lanes collapse unevenly, Stafford will step up and deliver the ball before coverage can fully transition into scramble rules. Edge rushers must prioritize depth control over pure upfield wins, while interior defenders become the true key to disrupting timing. When Seattle compresses the pocket from the inside out, Stafford’s efficiency drops, particularly against disguised post-snap rotations.
Play-action discipline is equally critical. The Rams marry run and pass better than almost anyone in the league, forcing linebackers to trigger downhill just long enough to open throwing lanes behind them. The Divisional tape already showed moments where Seattle’s aggressiveness against the run created brief windows. Against Los Angeles, those windows will be attacked relentlessly.
Early-down success becomes the defensive lifeline. When Seattle wins first down and forces longer-yardage situations, McVay’s offense becomes more predictable, and Stafford is forced to hold the football. That’s where Seattle’s coverage depth and post-snap rotation can finally flip the script.
The Divisional Round confirmed how dangerous Seattle’s offense can be when Klint Kubiak controls tempo and sequencing. That approach becomes even more important against a Rams defense that thrives on...
