For the first half of the NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks were on pace to have statistically the worst defense in league history. However, the team seems to have turned the corner on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks. Their numbers recently have backed that up.
The Seattle Seahawks Defense has Turned the Corner
The Seahawks looked to be a Super Bowl contender this season, and they have the high powered offense led by Russell Wilson to make it there. However, the defense has held this team back a lot. Through the first eight games of the season, the Seahawks defense was allowing a little over 30 points per game. But believe it or not the Seattle Seahawks defense is starting to look like a competent defense that can win in the playoffs.
The Seahawks Pass Defense is Playing with More Confidence
The Seahawks defense was not able to stop teams during the first half of the season. They were giving up over 360 passing yards per game and that was by far the worst in the NFL. But since week Week 10, the Seahawks passing defense is only giving up 187 passing yards a game. A big part in that success is the return of Pro Bowl cornerback Shaquill Griffin and the emergence of cornerback D.J. Reed. Griffin missed 4 games due to a concussion and hamstring injury but with him back, they can play tighter coverage on wide receivers instead of playing off.
The Pass Rush is Starting to Come Alive
A big problem with the Seahawks defense early in the season was their inability to generate pressure. They only had 12 sacks through eight games and the team knew they had to make a move before the trade deadline. The Seahawks traded for Pro Bowl defensive end Carlos Dunlap to try and boost their pass rush. Since Dunlap has arrived in Seattle, the defense has generated 24 sacks and now has 36 of them on the season which is tied for seventh in the NFL according to ESPN.
Also, the return of All-pro safety Jamal Adams has also sparked this Seahawks defense. The All-pro safety has 8.5 sacks this season and that is an NFL record for most sacks by a defensive back according to NBC Sports. Adams 8.5 sacks is tied for eigth in the NFL. The combination of the two has revived this pass rush and has been part of the reason why the pass defense has been improving week to week.
The Run Defense has Been Elite All Season.
If there is one thing the Seattle Seahawks defense has been good at all season long, it has to be the run defense. The defense is fourth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, only giving up 95.5 rushing yards a game. Only the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints give up fewer rushing yards. This could partially be due to having a below average pass defense. However, having players like linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright will clog up the holes for opposing running backs.
Defense Preparing for a Deep Playoff Run
The Seahawks are preparing for a playoff run and the question all season has been is this defense good enough. Right now, the defense looks like it is good enough to make a run at the Super Bowl if the offense continues to play at a top five level. Time will tell if that is this case but for right now, the Seahawks defense is trending in the right direction with just three games to in the regular season including another matchup with the Rams.
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