Through the first three games of the season, our Seattle Seahawks have faced a dizzying 43.4% blitz rate on pass plays, which is the second-highest rate in the entire NFL, trailing only the Chicago Bears. If you felt like defenses were just coming after us non-stop, your gut was absolutely right. This isn’t just some random bad luck; it’s a full-on strategy shift across the league, and our boys are right in the thick of it.
Defenses Are Bringing The Heat, And It’s Personal
We’ve seen this movie before, right? Last season, when we hoisted the Super Bowl trophy, we faced the third-highest blitz rate in the league. So, it’s not like the Hawks are unfamiliar with pressure. But this season, it’s different. It’s more targeted, more aggressive, and frankly, a bit wild. The Chicago Bears are leading the blitz charge, with the Green Bay Packers also ranking high, and it’s not a coincidence. They’ve both felt the “blitz-a-palooza” from teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Brian Flores. As for our Seahawks, we’ve already squared off against two of the top five blitzing defenses in the league: the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots. Even the Arizona Cardinals, typically low on the blitz totem pole, cranked up their pressure above their season average when they played us. This isn’t just about opponents trying to rattle our quarterback; it’s about a fundamental shift in how NFL defenses are approaching the game.
The NFL Is Going Old School, But Defenses Have A Nasty Counter
The whole league is apparently feeling nostalgic. We’re seeing a massive comeback to under-center plays, especially with 12 and 13 personnel groupings, at a rate we haven’t witnessed in over a decade. TruMedia reports that through Week 3, the league-wide under-center rate is 42.0%, the highest since 2013. On early downs, it’s even crazier at 49.6%, also a high point since 2013! It’s like offenses are saying, “Forget the shotgun and RPO world, let’s get back to some ethical football.” And guess what? It’s working! The league-wide success rate under center is 47.4%, the highest it’s been in that same period, even topping 2025’s 46.9%. So, offenses are clearly finding success with this old-school approach. But defenses? They’re not just taking it lying down. That’s where the aggression comes in. A legendary college defensive coordinator once famously said to “solve your problems with aggression,” and NFL defensive coordinators are absolutely taking that advice to heart. The league-wide blitz rate against *all* under-center passes through these first three weeks is a staggering 51%! That’s the highest percentage since TruMedia started tracking blitz rates way back in 2006. Defenses are using chaos as their weapon to shut down these under-center looks.
Our Hawks Are The Perfect Target For This Blitz Revolution
This is where it gets really real for the Emerald City. Our Seattle Seahawks are one of the few teams in the NFL that run the *majority* of their offense from under-center. That puts a giant target on our backs for this new “counter-blitz revolution.” Not only that, but we also run play-action at the second-highest clip in the entire league, which is another huge flag for aggressive defenses looking to cause havoc. We’ve got a fantastic squad, and we know our coaching staff is always adapting. The question now isn’t just about handling pressure; it’s about how we counter the counter, how we dominate in this constant battle for supremacy on the field. We’ve got a long season ahead, but it’s clear the early trend is challenging us in a whole new way. Get ready, 12s, because this is going to be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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