Defense Wins Championships? Seahawks’ NFC Title Tells a More Complicated Story
For decades, we’ve heard the old football adage: “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” It’s a phrase that’s been etched into the fabric of the sport, often attributed to the legendary Bear Bryant. And for much of this season, the Seattle Seahawks have looked like a living, breathing endorsement of that philosophy under defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald.
But if you watched Seattle’s NFC Championship win over the Rams, you saw a different story unfold - one where the defense didn’t carry the day. In fact, it nearly gave it away.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a case of the Seahawks getting steamrolled from start to finish. They opened with a textbook three-and-out, a flash of the dominant unit we’ve seen all year.
But after that? The Rams took control - and never really let go.
Seattle’s Defensive Dip Came at the Worst Time
Statistically, holding a Sean McVay-led offense to 27 points isn’t a disaster. The Rams averaged 30 points per game this season, so on paper, Seattle did enough.
But context matters. This wasn’t just any game - this was the NFC Championship.
And when you compare this performance to how the Seahawks’ defense had been playing down the stretch, it was a noticeable step backward.
The Rams racked up more total yards than Seattle had allowed in their previous two games combined. That’s not just a blip - that’s a breakdown.
They gave up 8.3 yards per play, their worst number of the season by a full yard. First downs?
The Rams moved the chains 26 times - tying the most Seattle allowed all year. The only team to gain more yards against this defense?
The Rams again, back in Week 16.
That’s not a coincidence. It’s a matchup problem.
The most troubling part was how thoroughly Los Angeles controlled the trenches. Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II have been the anchors of this front all season, consistently collapsing pockets and clogging run lanes. But on Sunday, the Rams’ offensive line handled them - and then some.
Stafford had time. Too much time.
He threw for 374 yards, three touchdowns, and not a single interception. His 10.7 yards per attempt was nearly four yards above his season average.
That’s surgical efficiency. And when Stafford has a clean pocket, he’s still one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league.
Seattle’s pass rush, usually so disruptive without needing to blitz, was quiet. One sack.
Three quarterback hits. No additional tackles for loss.
That’s not the Seahawks’ defense we’ve come to expect under Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde.
Meanwhile, the Rams’ defense showed how it’s done - three sacks, five tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. The line of scrimmage was theirs.
Macdonald’s Philosophy: Pressure Without the Blitz
Macdonald’s approach all season has been about calculated pressure. He doesn’t send the house.
Instead, he relies on a front four that can generate heat on its own, allowing the back seven to swarm in tight zones and limit yards after the catch. It’s a system that thrives on versatility and discipline.
And it’s worked. Seattle finished second in the league in pressure rate relative to blitz rate - a key metric that highlights how effective a team is at creating chaos without overcommitting.
The only team better? The Rams.
But against Stafford, the pressure didn’t get home. And Macdonald stuck to his guns - rarely dialing up extra rushers, even as the Rams’ offense found its rhythm. That loyalty to the system nearly cost Seattle a trip to the Super Bowl.
Offense and Special Teams Saved the Day
Here’s where the full picture comes into focus: Seattle didn’t win this game because of its defense. It won because the offense and special teams stepped up when it mattered most. Just like the defense has done all year, this time the other phases returned the favor.
And that’s the real truth behind the “defense wins championships” mantra - football is a three-phase game. No single unit wins or loses games in isolation.
Seattle’s defense has been the backbone of this team all season, but in the NFC title game, it needed help. And it got it.
Looking Ahead to the Super Bowl
So, what does this mean heading into Super Bowl LX against New England?
Don’t expect a wholesale shift in Seattle’s defensive identity. Macdonald isn’t about to abandon the principles that got him here.
But you can bet there will be some new wrinkles. Maybe more pressure from the secondary.
Maybe Nick Emmanwori gets assigned to shadow Drake Maye, keeping the rookie quarterback’s legs in check.
The good news for Seattle: the Patriots’ offensive line isn’t the Rams’ offensive line.
Los Angeles finished the year ranked fourth in PFF’s offensive line grades. They’re one of the few teams that can go toe-to-toe with Seattle’s front four.
And in Week 16, when guard Kevin Dotson went down, it was a different story. Dotson was back for the NFC Championship, and with Steve Avila alongside him, the Rams were able to neutralize Seattle’s interior pressure.
New England’s line is solid - but not elite. That could be the edge Seattle needs to get back to what it does best: collapsing pockets, forcing quick decisions, and letting their athletic secondary make plays on the ball.
Bottom Line
Seattle’s defense has been its calling card all season. But in the biggest game of the year so far, it was the offense and special teams that carried the weight. That’s not a knock - it’s a testament to how complete this Seahawks team really is.
So maybe Bear Bryant was only half right. Defense can win championships - but in today’s NFL, it takes all three phases working in sync. And if Seattle can get its defense back to form against a less imposing offensive line, they’ll have a real shot at hoisting the Lombardi once again.