Seattle’s “Dark Side” Defense Is Channeling the Legion of Boom - and Making Its Own History
In Seattle, defense isn’t just a phase - it’s an identity. And while the “Legion of Boom” defined an era with its swagger and shutdown dominance, the 2025 Seahawks are building something just as fearsome - even if it looks nothing like the original blueprint.
Under head coach and defensive mastermind Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks finished the 2025 regular season with the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense, giving up just 17.2 points per game. It’s the first time Seattle has led that category since the height of the Legion of Boom - and it’s not a coincidence. This unit, now dubbed “The Dark Side,” is setting its own tone, built on versatility, speed, and a modern twist on defensive dominance.
Let’s dive into how Macdonald’s crew is carving out a legacy that has fans in the Pacific Northwest wondering: are we witnessing the birth of the next great Seattle defense?
A Quick Look Back: What Made the Legion of Boom Special?
Before we talk about the present, we’ve got to appreciate the past.
The Legion of Boom wasn’t just a nickname - it was a movement. From 2012 to 2015, Seattle led the league in scoring defense for four straight seasons, a feat unmatched in the Super Bowl era.
They were brash, physical, and brilliant. And in 2013, they delivered a defensive masterpiece in Super Bowl XLVIII, dismantling the record-setting Denver Broncos offense 43-8.
The heart of that unit was the secondary:
- Richard Sherman, the cerebral, trash-talking corner who led the league in picks in 2013 and made “The Tip” that sealed the NFC title.
- Kam Chancellor, a 6’3”, 230-pound missile who hit like a linebacker and set the tone physically.
- Earl Thomas, the rangy centerfielder who could cover sideline to sideline and gave the defense flexibility others could only dream of.
- Brandon Browner, the enforcer on the outside, whose physicality at the line of scrimmage disrupted routes before they even began.
And it didn’t stop there. Bobby Wagner was the glue in the middle - a tackling machine with elite instincts.
K.J. Wright, Malcolm Smith, Michael Bennett, and Cliff Avril rounded out a front seven that could stop the run, rush the passer, and cover ground like few others.
That group didn’t just dominate - they changed the rules. Literally. The NFL cracked down on defensive holding and illegal contact in large part because of how disruptive the LOB was to the league’s top receivers.
Enter The Dark Side: Seattle’s 2025 Defense Is No Imitation
Fast forward to 2025, and the Seahawks are once again terrifying offenses - but this time, it’s a different kind of fear.
Mike Macdonald’s defense doesn’t rely on a singular scheme like the old Cover 3. It’s built on adaptability, disguised coverages, and relentless pressure. And it’s working - at a historic level.
Seattle led the league in:
- Scoring defense (17.2 PPG allowed)
- Yards allowed per game (267.0)
- Rushing defense (75.7 YPG allowed)
- 3rd down defense (32.9% conversion rate)
That’s not just good - that’s elite. And while the Legion of Boom was known for its secondary, The Dark Side is balanced from front to back.
Let’s break down the comparisons:
| Metric | 2013 Legion of Boom | 2025 The Dark Side |
|---|
| Regular Season Record | 13-3 | 14-3 | | Points Allowed/Game | 14.4 (1st) | 17.2 (1st) |
| Yards Allowed/Game | 273.6 (1st) | 267.0 (1st) | | Rushing Yards/Game | 101.6 (7th) | 75.7 (1st) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 172.0 (1st) | 191.3 (8th) | | Takeaways | 39 (1st) | 25 (6th) |
| Sacks | 44 (8th) | 47 (12th) | | Yards/Play Allowed | 4.4 (1st) | 4.5 (1st) |
| 3rd Down Conversion % | 37.3 (12th) | 32.9 (1st) |
The numbers speak for themselves. This isn’t just a good defense - it’s one of the best in football. And while it may not have the same star power or highlight-reel swagger (yet), the production is eerily similar.
New Faces, Same Dominance
So who’s leading the charge for The Dark Side?
- Devon Witherspoon isn’t Richard Sherman - he’s something else entirely. A slot disruptor with a nose for the backfield, Witherspoon brings a physical edge and versatility that’s tailor-made for today’s NFL. He’s racking up sacks and tackles for loss at a rate cornerbacks rarely touch.
- Ernest Jones IV has stepped into the middle linebacker role with poise and production. He’s matched Wagner’s 2013 tackle efficiency and leads the team with 126 total tackles. He’s the communicator, the enforcer, and the heartbeat of the front seven.
- Nick Emmanwori, a rookie strong safety, is already drawing Kam Chancellor comparisons - and not just because they’re both 6’3”. Emmanwori has four interceptions this season and brings that same downhill, punishing style that made Kam a fan favorite.
- Byron Murphy II is a force up front. Like Michael Bennett before him, Murphy can move around the line and create mismatches. He’s tied for the team lead with seven sacks, anchoring a front that’s been dominant against the run and disruptive in the pass game.
- Leonard Williams has brought a different flavor to the defensive line than Red Bryant did back in 2013. Williams offers more pass-rush juice and finished the season as a second-team All-Pro with seven sacks of his own.
The Moment That Turned Heads
If anyone needed convincing that this defense was legit, Seattle’s 41-6 dismantling of the 49ers in the Divisional Round erased all doubt.
It was a statement game - one that echoed the Legion of Boom’s Super Bowl beatdown of Denver. The Seahawks didn’t just win - they overwhelmed, out-schemed, and out-hit one of the league’s most complete offenses.
Legacy Talk: Are We There Yet?
Let’s be clear - the Legion of Boom isn’t being replaced. That group was iconic, not just for what it did statistically, but for how it made fans feel. It was a defense that played with attitude, made headlines, and left bruises.
But what The Dark Side is doing now? It’s not imitation.
It’s innovation. It’s a defense built for the modern game - faster, more flexible, and just as punishing.
The comparisons are inevitable, and fair. But this 2025 unit isn’t chasing ghosts. It’s building its own legend, brick by brick, stop by stop.
And if they keep this up? We might be talking about two golden eras of Seahawks defense - one built on boom, the other built on brains, speed, and balance.
Either way, Seattle’s identity remains the same: defense wins championships. And in 2026, the Seahawks might just be writing the next chapter in that playbook.