The Seattle Seahawks were struggling mightily to defend the run earlier this season. Approximately just one month ago, Mike Macdonald’s inconsistent unit entered their Week 9 contest versus the Los Angeles Rams allowing a 29th-ranked 148.4 rushing yards per contest. They were also allowing the fifth-highest yards per carry average (4.9) in the league.
Things have changed drastically in recent weeks. In Sunday’s Week 13 victory over the New York Jets, their third consecutive triumph, the combination of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen were limited to 71 rushing yards and zero touchdowns via 17 carries. The Jets were ultimately held under 100 net rushing yards.
Seattle’s run-stopping metrics have drastically improved since that Week 9 update. Macdonald’s disciplined run defense now ranks 22nd in the league, allowing 127 yards per outing. They are surviving their lackluster early-season start, and are consistently climbing the charts.
The #Seahawks run defense this season:
First 8 Games: 27th (6th worst)
Last 2 Games: 6th best pic.twitter.com/hc7IaJvAl0— Seahawks Today (@TodaySeahawks) November 18, 2024
In fact, the Seahawks have faced four outstanding running backs over the previous four weeks. The list includes Hall, Kyren Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and James Conner. The results? Macdonald’s defense has allowed 216 rushing yards and zero touchdowns via 60 carries. That equals just 3.6 yards per carry.
They’ve been spearheaded forward by dominant performances from Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Co.
The turning point for Seattle’s run defense was arguably swapping out linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson for Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight. Jones has been a tackling machine since being acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. Seattle’s improving run defense is peaking at the right time.
