The Seattle Seahawks didn’t just bring defense back in 2025 - they brought it back with a vengeance. In a league dominated by high-powered offenses and ever-evolving schemes, the Seahawks planted their flag with a unit that didn’t just stop opponents - it suffocated them.
And if you ask anyone in that locker room, they’ll tell you: this wasn’t a fluke. It was the rise of a new identity.
They call it The Dark Side.
Let’s rewind a bit. In 2024, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was already assembling something special.
That group - led by Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, and Ernest Jones IV - cracked the top 10 in most major defensive categories. It was clear Macdonald wasn’t just plugging holes; he was building the foundation for the next great Seattle defense.
Fast forward to 2025, and the vision came to life. General manager John Schneider added veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and versatile safety Nick Emmanwori.
Uchenna Nwosu returned healthy, and suddenly the Seahawks had the depth, the talent, and the swagger. The result?
Seattle finished the season as the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL - their first time atop that leaderboard since the legendary Legion of Boom days.
And make no mistake, the players know what they’re building. “We were just feeling like we had a really special defense,” Leonard Williams said.
“We always hear about the Legion of Boom… We were starting to feel like, ‘Hey, maybe we deserve our own name.’” And so, The Dark Side was born - a nod to Seattle’s gritty, overcast identity and the kind of defensive football nobody wants to face.
By the Numbers: Why The Dark Side Was the League’s Most Feared Defense
Let’s break down exactly what made this unit so dominant - and why opposing offenses dreaded every snap.
1 - The Seahawks finished first in scoring defense, EPA, and DVOA. That’s the triple crown of modern defensive metrics. No matter how you slice it, Seattle had the best defense in football.
2 - They ranked second in yards per play allowed, giving up just 4.6 per snap. Only Denver edged them out (4.5), but Seattle’s consistency across all levels of the defense made them the more complete unit.
Oh, and DeMarcus Lawrence? He returned two fumbles for touchdowns - in the same game.
That alone would be highlight-reel stuff, but it also helped earn him a Pro Bowl nod.
3 - Seattle finished third against the run, allowing just 91.9 yards per game. Lawrence also forced and recovered three fumbles, while three defenders - Lawrence, Williams, and Witherspoon - earned Pro Bowl honors.
Meanwhile, Williams, Witherspoon, and Ernest Jones IV were all named Second-Team All-Pro. That’s not just talent - that’s production at every level.
4 - Coby Bryant picked off four passes, second only to Jones’ five. This secondary didn’t just cover - they took the ball away.
5 - While total yards allowed has become a less meaningful stat in today’s NFL, it’s still worth noting Seattle finished fifth in total defense, giving up just 285.6 yards per game. Jones’ five interceptions tied him for second-most in the league.
7 - Three different Seahawks - Williams, Nwosu, and Byron Murphy II - each recorded seven sacks. That’s depth.
That’s pressure. That’s a front four that can win without help.
10 - Linebacker Drake Thomas was one of the season’s biggest surprises. He posted 10 tackles for loss, and was the only player in the NFL to log 3+ sacks, 10+ TFLs, and 8+ pass breakups. That’s rare versatility from a guy who flew under the radar heading into the year.
7.4% - Seattle allowed an explosive play on just 7.4% of snaps, the second-best rate in the last 15 years. That’s elite-level discipline and execution.
11 - DeMarcus Lawrence led the team with 11 tackles for loss. The veteran proved he still has plenty left in the tank - and then some.
26 - The Seahawks have now gone 26 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. That’s more than a season’s worth of dominance in the trenches.
“When we can play with two-high safety and stop the run with just four down linemen… that means we’re beating double teams,” Williams said. “Byron Murphy II is one of the best I’ve seen at that - and he’s still young.”
32.1% - Opponents converted just 32.1% of third downs against Seattle - the lowest rate in the NFL. That’s how you get off the field and win games.
191 - The Seahawks finished the season with a +191 point differential, the best in franchise history. Yes, even better than the legendary 2013 squad (+186) that steamrolled its way to a Super Bowl.
And here’s the kicker - by DVOA, this 2025 defense actually graded out higher than the 2013 Legion of Boom unit, ranking 11th all-time compared to the LOB’s 14th. That’s not just a fun stat - that’s a legacy in the making.
The Seahawks aren’t just leaning on nostalgia anymore. They’re forging a new identity, one built on speed, physicality, and relentless execution.
The Dark Side isn’t just a nickname - it’s a warning. And if this group stays healthy and keeps building, we might be witnessing the rise of the next great defensive dynasty in Seattle.