There are a lot of ways to illustrate how well the Seahawks defense played in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.
First and foremost, the Cardinals failed to score a touchdown for the first this season, and they were also held to a season-low 49 rushing yards. The Seahawks also had five sacks, scored their third defensive touchdown of the season, and held the Cardinals to a 3 for 12 conversion rate on third down.
Another indication of how well Seattle's defense played is the fact that the player the league decided was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, Coby Byant, might not have been the Seahawks' Defensive Player of the Week. In fact, on Monday Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Leonard Williams deserved Player of the Week honors when asked about the veteran defensive lineman's performance, which included 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and six total tackles.
And it's not like Bryant wasn't deserving. The third-year safety, who has been great since taking over a starting role in Week 7, had a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown to break the game open in the third quarter, and also added six solo tackles. But even Bryant was somewhat torn about receiving the award considering how well Williams played.
"I feel like he deserves it more than me, honestly," Bryant said. "That's a good guy, he put in a ton of work, had a great game, and without him, a lot of plays would remain on the table, so I definitely feel he deserved it too. But I had to get it, he's been in the league way longer than me."
Williams joked that Bryant getting the award over him was "a sensitive subject" but also was happy for his teammate to get the recognition.
"That's a sensitive subject," Williams said. "I'm obviously happy for Coby, he's my locker mate. He's a young guy, I love to see young guys flourishing. He stepped up in the middle of the season, got his opportunity, and he hasn't let it go since. So I've got much appreciation and love for the guy, but at the same time, we talked about how, as a defense last Sunday, we were competing with each other. So as a friendly competition, I feel like is should have won, but as a teammate and a vet, I'm happy for him."
For Bryant, Player of the Week honors was another form of validation in what has been a great year for him. After a strong rookie campaign in 2022, Bryant battled injuries and had a reduced role in 2023, while also switching from cornerback to safety, a move he didn't embrace right away. But now he's a starter and key playmaker in Seattle's secondary, and as of Wednesday, he's also the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
"Definitely a blessing," Bryant said. "It just shows that I'm willing to work, put my head down and control what I can control and just go out there and dominate."
And for Willams, Sunday's performance is one he'll remember even if he missed out on some hardware.
"This was definitely one of my best games of my career," he said. "I feel like I was dominant in that game. And I feel like the stats—even though I had the stats—don't even tell the full story. I feel like I played a great game."
And Bryant and Williams weren't the only defensive standouts against Arizona, with several other players contributing to the team's success, among them cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who had a big role in Bryant's pick-six by chasing down Kyler Murray and forcing the errant throw before sprinting down field to also throw a key block on the return.
"Definitely shout out for Spoon causing the play and the rest of those guys blocking for me," Bryant said. "He's a special player, man. That's someone I rave about to my family. And obviously everybody around the building raves about him, just how competitive he is, the energy that he has, what he brings to the team, and just his ability to make that play. That play doesn't start without him, so very thankful for him helping me get the interception."
Coaches, players and staff across the league will wear customized cleats in honor of causes that are important to them as part of 'My Cause My Cleats'. Check out the custom cleats that Seahawks players and staff will wear for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats' league-wide initiative.
Seahawks president Chuck Arnold is honoring the American Cancer Society for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on cancer research.
Seahawks Legend Cliff Avril is honoring Champions of Change for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on empowering underserved regions through the power of sport and teamwork.
Seahawks vice president of community & engagement Mario Bailey is honoring Everytown for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating awareness for gun violence.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) is honoring the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) is honoring Footprints of Fight for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to patients and families dealing with pediatric cancer.
Seahawks Lamar Campbell is honoring We Stutter for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support for those who deal with stutters and speech impediments.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) is honoring the Williams Syndrome Association for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating awareness and supporting those who deal with Williams Syndrome.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) is honoring NAMI-Mississippi for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on mental health awareness.
Seahawks tackle McClendon Curtis (66) is honoring the McClendon Curtis Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'.
The Seahawks dancers are honoring Solid Ground for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on homelessness prevention.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) is honoring the Fant Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on youth empowerment.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) is honoring Open Door Mission in Omaha, Nebraska for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing shelter and feeding the less fortunate.
Seahawks assistant special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons is honoring Maryland Symphony Orchestra for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause honors his brother's love for the orchestra.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78) is honoring Warrior Rising for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on empowering U.S. military veterans and their families.
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) is honoring Humane Society for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on ending suffering for all animals.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) is honoring Gulfport Memorial Hospital NICU for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause supports the hospital that saved Hall's life during his birth.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) is honoring TABLE NC for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on delivering healthy food and nutrition education to youth in Orange County, NC.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) is honoring Headstrong for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on raising cancer awareness and prevention.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) is honoring Seattle Children's Autism Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on autism awareness.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) is honoring the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause supports youth empowerment.
Seahawks Legend Walter Jones is honoring the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on cancer research.
Seahawks offensive assistant Chuckie Keeton is honoring the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on empowering coaches and athletes.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) is honoring Mary's Place Seattle for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting and providing necessities to the less fortunate.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) is honoring Just1Mike for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on heart screening awareness and providing AED's to areas of need.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) is honoring the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing relief to the poor and marginalized.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is honoring the RYR-1 Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating support and awareness for those who suffer from RYR1-related diseases.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) is honoring the American Cancer Society and the Puget Sound Association of the Deaf for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. These causes focus on deaf empowerment and cancer research.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) is honoring Seattle Children's Autism Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on autism awareness.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) is honoring SOUND and Prison Fellowship for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. These causes support deaf empowerment and prison reform.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) is honoring the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to patients who suffer from DIPG.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) is honoring the Uchenna Nwosu Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on promoting education, health and wellness to sports minded individuals.
Seahawks offensive passing game coordinator Jake Peetz is honoring the Make-A-Wish Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting children with critical illnesses.
Seahawks running back coach Kennedy Polamalu is honoring the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to the less fortunate.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) is honoring Life Enrichment Group for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to youth and their families.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) is honoring the Randall Morris Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting the youth.
Seahawks president of football operations/general manager John Schneider is honoring Ben's Fund for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on autism awareness.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) is honoring the Little Warrior Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on cancer awareness.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is honoring Extended Hands Inc. for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause supports Geno's mother's non profit organization that provides programs and services to empower the community.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) is honoring the Jed Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting mental health awareness.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) is honoring Uplifting Athletes for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. The cause focuses on rare disease support.
Seahawks head athletic trainer David Stricklin is honoring Heroes Homestead & NATA for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting veterans and their families.
Seahawks coach Neiko Thorpe is honoring the Alzheimer's Association for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on researching and providing support to those who suffer from Alzheimer's.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is honoring Le Bonheur Children's Hospital & Everytown for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. These causes focuses on supporting a non profit and raising gun violence awareness.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) is honoring the American Cancer Society for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating awareness and supporting those who deal with breast cancer.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) is honoring Water Mission for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating safe water solutions across the world.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) is honoring the Lupus Foundation of America for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on lupus awareness and research.
