There is a lot of pressure on defenders who play for the Seattle Seahawks. The franchise last won a Super Bowl in 2013, during a stretch from 2012 to 2016 when the Seahawks made the playoffs five years in a row.
While Seattle had some emerging stars on offense, the team was led by its hard-hitting defense, which became affectionately known as the Legion of Boom. Opponents knew they were in for rough games against a Seahawks defense that seemed to care more about obliterating pass-catchers or rushers than trying to make a play on the ball.
The Legion of Boom officially ended in 2019 when Earl Thomas left the Seahawks in free agency. Since then — and really since the playoff streak ended in 2016 — fans have waited for Seattle’s defense to return to being one of the most dominant units in the league, and the 2025 squad may be the closest Seattle has come since the Legion of Boom days.
Here is more on how dominant Seattle’s defense has been during the 2025 season.
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Seahawks defense by the numbers
Seattle dominated opponents throughout the year on its way to earning the NFC's No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Here is a look at how the Seahawks' defense ranked compared to teams around the NFL.
| Category (Per Game) | Stat, Rank |
| Points Against | 18.1, 2nd |
| First Downs Allowed | 17.6, 5th |
| Total Yards | 292.9, 6th |
| Passing Yards | 198.6, 12th |
| Passing TDs | 1.25, 9th |
| Interceptions Forced | 1.06, 5th |
| Rushing Yards | 94.4, 3rd |
| Rushing TDs | 0.56, 2nd |
| Turnovers | 1.50, 5th |
Seahawks defense vs. 49ers
Seattle's defense was stout in the win over San Francisco. The Seahawks forced the 49ers' offense into one of its worst performances of the season. Quarterback Brock Purdy finished with 127 passing yards and the 49ers ran for only 53 yards.
Seattle's defense sacked Purdy three times. San Francisco was driving in the fourth quarter and Purdy threw behind a pass-catcher and it went off their hands and right into the hands of the Seattle defender. This turnover swung the momentum and helped the Seahawks clinch the huge win.
Boye Mafe gets a hand on the pass and Drake Thomas secures the dropped ball for the pick 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026
SEAvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/Ek328XtJCL
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Who is the Seahawks defensive coordinator?
Seattle’s defensive coordinator is Aden Durde. He joined the Seahawks in 2024 after spending three seasons as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line coach. Durde was born in England and played in the British American Football League.
Head coach Mike McDonald also has a defensive background. Before being hired as Seattle’s head coach in 2024, he served as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2023.
Who are the Seahawks best defensive players?
Seattle's defense is a perfect blend of proven veteran talent and exciting youth that Durde and McDonald are getting the most out of.
Here are the best players on Seattle's defense.
DE Leonard Williams -- 62 tackles, 7 sacks
DT Byron Murphy II -- 58 tackles, 7 sacks
DE DeMarcus Lawrence -- 52 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
LB Uchenna Nwosu -- 34 tackles, 6 sacks
S Nick Emmanwori -- 74 tackles, 2.5 sacks, INT (Rookie)
LB Ernest Jones IV -- 121 tackles, 5 INTs
S Coby Bryant -- 66 tackles, 4 INTs
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