Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur didn’t mince words when asked about the Seattle Seahawks defense, offering up a single, chilling response: “Everything.” That one word, delivered with what felt like a sigh of pure dread, encapsulates the sheer terror our defense instills in opposing offenses, a terror that’s already back in full force after their season opener.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, They Scream
You wanna talk about dominating? The stats from last season are downright *scary*, and they prove the Emerald City’s defense wasn’t just good, they were legendary. Our Hawks ranked sixth in yards allowed per game with a measly 285.9. Think about that! They were third against the run, suffocating opponents to just 91.9 yards, and tenth against the pass at 193.9 yards. But those top-line numbers barely scratch the surface.
Dig deeper, and you find a unit operating on another level. We were second in yards per play (4.6), first in yards per rush (3.7), and second in yards per pass play (5.1). This isn’t just about stopping big plays, it’s about making every single snap a nightmare. Our D grabbed 18 interceptions, good for fifth in the league, and tied for seventh with 47 sacks. But the real backbreaker? First in third-down efficiency at 32.1% and first in points allowed with just 17.1 per game. LaFleur even called them “one of the best defenses probably this league has ever seen last year.” He’s not wrong, and the 12s know it.
“No Weakness Whatsoever”: Opponents Are Shell-Shocked
The respect, or maybe it’s pure fear, for Coach Mike Macdonald’s unit is palpable. LaFleur, who had the misfortune of facing our Hawks three times last season as the Rams offensive coordinator, including in the NFC Championship Game, sees no weakness. “It’s 11 guys working in unison that just understand what’s going on,” he said, praising both the players and the coaching. He described them as “fundamentally sound” and “violent,” adding, “The tape speaks for itself. You talk about the silent tape, that tape is not silent. You can just see it.” He knows them well, too, noting this will be the fourth time they’ve played since late November last year.
And guess what? They’re already picking up right where they left off. LaFleur, after watching their opener against the New England Patriots, observed the defense “played great” and hinted at even more, saying, “there’s another level that they can go.” Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett echoed the sentiment, admitting he wished he knew what made them so difficult. Brissett highlighted Macdonald’s “so many different things” with “different personnel groups” and how the players are “very versatile” and “disciplined,” presenting “a lot of different problems on every down of football.” Our defense is a puzzle nobody can solve.
Next Up: Cards Come to Lumen Field
After a defensive clinic against New England, the Hawks get ready for the Cardinals. You remember what happened last season, right? The Cards lost at home on a last-second field goal. Now, they’re coming to Lumen Field, knowing what they’re up against. Our defense, led by Coach Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde, is primed to prove LaFleur’s words aren’t just hype. Get ready, Seattle, because this D is here to dominate, and the rest of the league is on notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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