Midway through the second quarter of Seattle’s Week 14 win over Atlanta, there was a moment that didn’t just swing momentum - it told you everything you need to know about why this Seahawks team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Tied at 3-3, Sam Darnold made a risky throw on third-and-one deep in his own territory, trying to squeeze the ball to tight end Elijah Arroyo. It didn’t work.
The pass was tipped and picked off, setting the Falcons up with prime field position at Seattle’s 30-yard line. That’s where most teams would brace for damage.
But this Seahawks defense? They went to work.
On the very next play, Bijan Robinson took a handoff and broke to the outside for what looked like a gain of 11. But a holding call on Falcons receiver Deven Thompkins wiped it out.
The man he held? Devon Witherspoon.
That’s how this defense operates - even when you think you’ve got them, they’re a step ahead, forcing mistakes.
Robinson got the ball again, but this time rookie safety Nick Emmanwori met him after a short two-yard gain. Then Witherspoon blew up a swing pass to Robinson in the flat.
On third down, Boye Mafe batted down a screen attempt. Atlanta had to settle for a field goal attempt - and that’s when Emmanwori made his presence felt again, flying off the edge to block the kick and keep the game tied.
That play was a special teams highlight, but it was emblematic of what Seattle is building: a fast, physical, and fearless unit that makes game-changing plays in every phase.
Seattle’s special teams weren’t just sound - they were electric. Rashid Shaheed opened the second half with a 100-yard kickoff return to the house, lighting the fuse for the Seahawks’ offense, which found its rhythm after the break. Add in Jason Myers’ usual consistency and Michael Dickson’s elite punting, and you’ve got a third phase that’s not just complementary - it’s a weapon.
But let’s not get it twisted. This team’s identity starts with the defense.
In less than two seasons, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has taken the blueprint he used in Baltimore and built something even scarier in Seattle. That Ravens unit in 2023 was good enough to get Macdonald the Seahawks job.
What he’s crafted now? There’s no weak link.
Start up front: Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, and Cameron Young anchor the interior. On the edge, there’s speed and power with Mafe, Darrell Taylor, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall.
In the middle, Jordyn Brooks and Jerome Baker bring range and physicality. And on the back end?
It’s a loaded deck.
Julian Love, Coby Bryant, and Rayshawn Jenkins provide versatility and experience. Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen - who had an excellent game in coverage and even came up big in the run game - would be headliners on most teams.
But in Seattle, they’re not even the stars of the secondary. That honor belongs to Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori.
Let’s start with Emmanwori. He had the flash plays this week - the blocked field goal, six tackles, two of them for loss, and a sack that showcased his rare closing speed. He even knifed into the backfield to drop Tyler Allgeier - no small feat against one of the league’s most physical backs.
But Witherspoon? He was the best player on the field.
From the opening drive, he was everywhere. He stuffed Robinson on a run, blitzed Kirk Cousins and forced a throwaway, and later recovered a Robinson fumble deep in Seattle territory to kill Atlanta’s best drive. He finished with seven tackles, two pass breakups, and - oh yeah - an interception, just for good measure.
Witherspoon is relentless. He plays with an edge that jumps off the screen, and he’s as comfortable blitzing off the corner as he is locking down receivers in man coverage. He’s not just a cornerback - he’s a defensive weapon.
At one point during the broadcast, Daryl Johnston compared Emmanwori to Kyle Hamilton, the do-it-all safety who was a centerpiece of Macdonald’s Baltimore defense. That’s not a stretch.
Emmanwori has that kind of range, versatility, and playmaking ability. But here’s the kicker: Seattle already had a player like that in Witherspoon.
Hamilton might have the edge in size and raw athleticism. But Witherspoon matches him in football instincts, toughness, and impact. And now, with Emmanwori in the fold, Macdonald has two Swiss Army knives in the secondary - both capable of lining up anywhere, both capable of wrecking a game plan.
That kind of flexibility gives Macdonald and defensive line coach Aden Durde the freedom to get creative - rotating coverages, disguising blitzes, and unleashing these two wherever they’re needed most.
Last year, Kyle Hamilton finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
This year? Seattle might have two players worthy of that conversation.
This defense isn’t just good. It’s championship-caliber. And it’s only getting better.
If the offense continues to find its footing and special teams keeps making splash plays, the Seahawks aren’t just a team to watch in the NFC - they’re a team nobody wants to face come January.