Seahawks' Defense Shines in Preseason Debut

There’s a lot of excitement in Seattle around the arrival of new Head Coach Mike Macdonald. After doing a stellar job as the Defensive Coordinator in Baltimore, many are eager to see what he can accomplish with a young and talented roster in Seattle. In their first preseason game, the Seahawks defense did not disappoint.

The Chargers' first four possessions were a nightmare, as the Seahawks' defense held them to three consecutive 3-and-outs followed by an interception. That turnover was immediately followed by yet another 3-and-out, and to cap it off, one more 3-and-out after that. The Seahawks created an unforgiving environment, setting the tone early and showcasing their potential under Coach Macdonald’s leadership.

Breaking Down the Defense

First Drive

The Chargers opened the game with two moderate runs, but on 3rd down, a slant thrown toward Tariq Woolen (#27) was broken up. It was routine, solid defense that led to a quick 3-and-out.

Second Drive

On the Chargers' second drive, they attempted a bootleg off outside zone action, with the tight end slicing back across the field. Seattle was in cover 3, with the safety to the field rotating down—a perfect setup for this play. While the bootleg typically pulls linebackers out of position, the safety’s rotation covered the tight end in the flat, and the play side corner took the corner route as expected. The magic happened on the backside, where the receiver worked an over route—a tough assignment for the backside corner. But Tariq Woolen didn’t disappoint. He tracked the route perfectly, undercutting it and nearly coming away with an interception.

The very next play was a clinic in run defense, as the Seahawks executed eight-man spacing run fits in a weak rotation cover 3 against outside zone. The nose tackle completely displaced the center, creating chaos in the backfield, while the linebackers filled their gaps perfectly, stopping the cutback attempt.

On the third down, the Chargers aligned in a trio formation to the field, while the Seahawks showed a two-high look. Seattle ran cover 5 (2-man under), and the Chargers countered with a double over concept. Once again, Tariq Woolen shined, tracking the boundary receiver across the field and forcing another incompletion.

Third Drive

After a great punt pinned the Chargers on their own 2-yard line, they came out in a 12 personnel “ace” set. The Seahawks responded with an under front, 5-2 box, running what appeared to be a cross-dog fire zone. The attention drawn by DT Byron Murphy disrupted the offensive line, allowing linebacker Jon Rhattigan (#59) to come untouched through the A-gap for a tackle for loss—a flawless execution by the defense.

The following two plays saw the Chargers gain minimal yards with a play-action pass into the flats and a screen that fell short of the sticks, leading to another punt.

Forth Drive

The next drive was a one-play affair, ending with a Seahawks interception. The Chargers, in 12 personnel 2x2, ran Y-cross against Seattle’s Fangio-style Cover 6. The play was made by the safeties: as the deep cross worked from the quarters side to the cover 2 side, the quarterback thought he had an open window. What he didn’t realize was that K’Von Wallace (#24) was baiting him, closing quickly from the deep half to deliver a violent hit on the tight end. The ball was tipped and intercepted by trailing safety Coby Bryant (#8).

Fifth Drive

The final series showcased the relentless effort of the Seahawks' defense. The Chargers attempted a Zone Read with a “stick” RPO, but edge rusher Derick Hall (#58) displayed textbook surf technique, staying square and collapsing on the running back for a short gain.

On the next play, it was hard to tell if the Chargers were running inside or outside zone, as Byron Murphy (#91) wrecked the center three yards into the backfield for a tackle for loss. It was a great example of the effectiveness of a “blood” stunt (both DTs slanting), catching the offensive line off guard.

The last play of the drive highlighted the effort and discipline of the Seahawks’ defense. Running Fangio’s Cover 8 on a 3rd and long, Boye Mafe (#53) initially got knocked back by the tight end, but he quickly recovered, pursued the quarterback across the field, and tipped the pass with a well-timed hit. It was a perfect blend of coverage and effort, exemplifying the relentless mentality of this defense.

A Preview of What's to Come

Mike Macdonald has a knack for building top-tier defenses, and if this preseason game is any indication, the Seahawks' defense is set to put on a show this season. Under Macdonald’s leadership, this unit has the potential to become one of the most formidable in the league.