Seahawks defense continues to impress despite key absences

While there may be no solace taken from the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, there has to be some praise in order for the defense.

The Rams may have scored 21 points, but 14 came off of Sam Darnold’s interceptions, which resulted in 3- and 25-yard scoring drives. For one of the top offenses in the NFL, it was a struggle to sustain drives after a strong opening quarter, and the Seattle defense’s heroic performance did not go unnoticed.

The Seahawks held the Rams to their season low in first downs (12, heh heh), their second-lowest yardage total (249), worst third down performance (2/11), and worst total Expected Points Added (-4.07). Given the historic issues Seattle has had against McVay’s offenses even at times with backup quarterbacks playing, this was an impressive showing on the road.

What looks to be undeniable at this point is that the Seahawks have an elite defense. Not a decent or good one. An elite defense. As of Week 11, the Seahawks are:

• 1st in FTN’s DVOA, including 3rd against the pass and 2nd against the run
• 3rd in EPA/play
• 2nd in terms of percentage of drives ending in a score
• 4th in sacks
• 4th in yards per play allowed
• T-4th in yards per rush allowed
• T-3rd in net yards per pass allowed
• T-9th in takeaways
• 3rd in tackles for loss
• 4th in points per drive allowed
• 3rd in explosive run rate (15+ yards)
• 4th in explosive pass rate (15+ yards)

This is a defense transformed under Mike Macdonald from one of the worst under the final Pete Carroll years to one of the best. The turnaround is even more exciting when you consider the absences of key players throughout the year:

• Julian Love has missed seven games and will miss at least eight while on injured reserve;
• Devon Witherspoon has missed five games;
• Nick Emmanwori has missed three games;
• Derick Hall has missed two games;
• Jarran Reed will have missed at least four games based on his current IR stint;
• DeMarcus Lawrence, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, Uchenna Nwosu, and Ernest Jones IV have all missed a game

Nothing is guaranteed, but if the timelines align just right then the Seahawks could have all of their starters and other key non-starters back by the end of the regular season. It’s a major credit to the likes of Drake Thomas (now a starting linebacker), Ty Okada, Brandon Pili, Derion Kendrick, and others who have stepped up when pressed into action.

This is a dangerous defense and it’s exactly what was hoped for in Macdonald’s second season. The best may be yet to come.