Published 4 hours ago • loading... • Updated 4 hours ago

Seahawks’ Defense Adds to the Legacy of the Team’s Stellar Units of the Past

The Seattle Seahawks' 2025 defense, nicknamed the Dark Side after linemen cited Seattle's gloomy weather and loud Lumen Field crowd, will play a key role hosting the San Francisco 49ers in Saturday's divisional-round playoff, the first fan-attended Lumen Field playoff since Jan. 7, 2017.
Under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald the Seattle Seahawks defense improved from 2024 season's 11th-ranked scoring defense to the NFL's top-ranked unit in 2025.
The Seahawks finished 2025 allowing 193.9 passing yards per game, with Ernest Jones IV tying for second in interceptions with five, earning AP All-Pro honors.
Injuries to key defensive backs including Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, rookie Nick Emmanwori and Coby Bryant created availability concerns late in the season, and a Dec. 18 lapse against the Los Angeles Rams exposed secondary vulnerabilities.
Since Oct. 27, 2024, Seattle has not allowed a 100-yard rusher, and observers compare the 2025 unit to the Legion of Boom and 2012–2015 Seahawks defenses.

Insights by Ground AI