The Seahawks played Sunday's game in Carolina without two of their top defensive lineman, Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah, which meant somebody from that unit needed to step up and make some plays.
And it was hardly a surprise that two of the players who came through with big plays were second-year defensive linemen Poona Ford and Rasheem Green, both of whom have taken big strides in 2019 after earning bigger roles this year.
In Seattle's Week 15 win over the Panthers, Green provided his team's only sack of the day, giving him a team-leading 4.0 this season, while Ford, who has been in the backfield more and more often of late, recorded a tackle for loss on Pro-Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey and tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by K.J. Wright.
"Huge growth," what middle linebacker Bobby Wagner said he has seen from those two linemen. "I feel like Poona's definitely taking a step, especially as far as the intellectual side—got a lot smarter. Rasheem has matured a lot. You see them making plays. Poona making plays in the back field. Rasheem getting sacks and forced fumbles and things of that nature. I'm excited for those guys and hoping that they keep that up and take it to another level."
A big role for Ford this year was expected coming into the season. He finished last year strong, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and Ford's teammates spent the offseason and training camp raving about the undrafted nose tackle who was a starter throughout camp.
Green's role this season was a little less certain, however. A third-round pick out of USC last year, Green was a preseason standout as a rookie, but struggled to find playing time in the regular season, in no small part due to an ankle injury that kept him out of four games early in the year. He finished the season appearing in 10 games, recording 9 tackles and one sack.
"It was very frustrating," Green said. "Last year was the first time I had missed games since high school. It was kind of frustrating because I'm not used to being really hurt, and just being in that role where I'm not really playing, when I came back I still wasn't playing. It was a lot to adjust to coming to the NFL and dealing with the injury, it was kind of a setback. But I feel like I did a good job of overcoming that this past offseason."
This season, Green has played in every game, starting six of them, and in addition to his team-leading sack total, two of which have come in the past four games, he also has 20 tackles, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery he returned 36 yards to set up an eventual score, and a blocked field goal on special teams.
"He's doing great," Carroll said. "I'm just happy that he's been such a factor now. He's really playing consistently at run and pass, which is great. Forcing fumbles and being active in the backfield rushing the passer. He's playing multiple spots. He's grown into it. He's a big part of what we're doing, and I'm really fired up for him."
Earlier this season, Carroll compared Green to fellow defensive end Quinton Jefferson, noting how it can take a bit of time for defensive linemen to find their way in the NFL sometimes. And Jefferson, now a veteran starter who has been a big part of Seattle's success this season, likes what he has seen from Green in Year 2.
"He's playing great ball," Jefferson said. "You can tell he's more confident in his game. His urgency on the field, he's playing great ball. You can see his knowledge has broadened, he's starting to recognize stuff and putting himself into position to make play, so it's pretty dope… The biggest thing in this league is just getting playing time, so this year he's getting more playing time, he's healthy, he's getting more reps, and you can see him getting better and better each week."
Ford, meanwhile, has started 10 of 11 games at nose tackle, taking command of that role after playing well enough late last season for Carroll to admit that the coaching staff probably waited too long to use the undrafted rookie out of Texas. At a position where it is often more important to occupy a blocker so a linebacker can make a play than it is to pile up stats, Ford still manages to make a flashy play or two seemingly in every game, and especially of late. Three of Ford's five tackles for loss this season have come in the past five games, he had the aforementioned pass deflection that led to a turnover, and his 28 tackles this season are third most among Seahawks defensive linemen.
Ford's impressive play of late isn't a coincidence based off what linemen hear from their position coach, Clint Hurtt.
"Our coach always says, later in the season, that's when the real players show up, then that should just carry over to the playoffs," Ford said.
The Seahawks defense will be better when it has everyone available, including veterans like Ansah and Clowney, but the emergence of two second-year players has also been crucial this season.
"They both took big steps this year," linebacker K.J. Wright said. "Rasheem, as far as his attention to detail—he's focused, he's making plays in the backfield. And Poona, since he took off late last year, he never looked back. It's fun watching these guys grow into pros. They take care of the linebackers, keep guys off of us. They're doing a tremendous job."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Friday afternoon, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner walks to the team buses wearing a Jackson State sweatshirt. Wagner honors Historically Black College and Universities each week.
12s wave to the departing convoy of buses as the team leaves the Virginia Mason Athletic Center headed for Sea-Tac International Airport for the flight to Charlotte.
Seahawks Shaquill Griffin and Travis Homer walk the stairs up to the teamÕs charter plane.
The Seahawks were treated by a steady rain upon landing In Charlotte, N.C., near midnight on Friday.
On Saturday afternoon, the players, including running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise, descended an escalator to head to the team's walk-thru.
The Seahawks welcomed Ashton Vinson, a passionate 12 who is battling cancer, to participate in the team's walk-thru on Saturday.
Led by offensive linemen D.J. Fluker, Mike Iupati and Joey Hunt, young Ashton Vinson looks for more running room at the team's Saturday walk-thru.
Ashton Vinson, a Make-a-Wish visitor to the Seahawks walk-thru, high-fives receiver Tyler Lockett during the Saturday walkthru prior to Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Young cancer patient and Make-a-Wish guest Ashton Vinson takes a handoff from Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the team's Saturday walk-thru.
Make-a-Wish guest Ashton Vinson 'breaks down' the team's huddle at the end of walk-thru.
On Sunday, 12s waiting near the team's hotel for a glimpse of the players heading to the buses were greeted by a visit from Santa, who shook hands and gave high-fives to the fans.
12s wait for a glimpse of their favorite players as the Seahawks headed to the buses for the ride to the stadium on Sunday morning.
Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton heads to the bus wearing his signature cowboy hat.
Big men George Fant, D.J. Fluker and Duane Brown head to the buses on game day.
Head coach Pete Carroll greets 12s who lined up to see the team depart the hotel for the stadium on game day.
Seahawks receiver Malik Turner catches passes in the morning sunshine during the early warmup period.
Seahawks defensive back Ugo Amadi warms up before the game.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner fires up the team before they leave the visitor's locker room to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson throws deep for receiver Tyler Lockett for a 44-yard completion.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett catches a deep ball thrown by Russell Wilson in the first quarter for a 44-yard gain.
Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise finds space as he reaches the second level of the Panthers defense.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf leaps high above the Carolina defender to bring in a 19-yard touchdown to give Seattle an early 13-0 lead.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett waits for the ball to reach him on a 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
SeattleÕs Tyler Lockett falls into the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Seahawks defenders Rasheem Green and Quinton Jefferson sack Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson finds running room thanks to blocks by Germain Ifedi and David Moore.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner leaps to corral airborne Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in the second quarter.
At halftime quarterbacks Geno Smith and Russell Wilson listen to assistant coach Nate Carroll in the locker room.
Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt talks to his players in the locker room at halftime.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson finds open space up the left side during the fourth quarter.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald breaks up a pass intended for Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright intercepts a Kyle Allen pass in the third quarter.
Seahawks defensive players Marquise Blair, Tre Flowers, Akeem King, Cody Barton, Branden Jackson, Lano Hill and K.J. Wright celebrate Wright's third quarter interception.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen is hit as he throws by Seattle's Jarran Reed, resulting in an interception in the third quarter.
Seattle's K.J. Wright returns his second interception of the third quarter, caused in part by teammate Jarran Reed's hit on Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen.
Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari talks to his players including Germain Ifedi, D.J. Fluker and Duane Brown on the team's sideline.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright stands up Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive back Ugo Amadi tries to intercept a tipped pass in the fourth quarter, but the ball was knocked away by CarolinaÕs Christian McCaffrey resulting in an incomplete pass.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson gained 133 yards on the afternoon, helped on this play by blocks from teammates Mike Iupati and Germain Ifedi.
Seahawks linemen Duane Brown and D.J. Fluker bulldoze the Panthers defense, allowing Chris Carson to score on a six-yard touchdown.
SeattleÕs Malik Turner celebrates in the end zone after Chris Carson scored on a six-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll congratulates players Germain Ifedi and Ethan Pocic.
Seahawks defenders Cody Barton and Lano Hill converge on Panthers receiver DJ Moore.
SeattleÕs Tyler Lockett cradles a 14-yard pass on 3rd-and-11 for a key first down in the fourth quarter, allowing the Seahawks to run out the clock on a 30-24 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Seahawks C.J. Prosise, Russell Wilson and Chris Carson smile as they prepare to run out the clock in the fourth quarter.
12s packed the stands in Carolina to watch the Seahawks face the Panthers.
Safety Bradley McDougald runs to visit with Seahawks fans sitting behind the teamÕs bench after the game.
Seahawks receiver David Moore playfully rubs the head of former teammate and current Panthers running back Mike Davis after the game.
12s line the first row of seats to watch the Seahawks face the Panthers.
The Seahawks gather in the locker room after the win over the Panthers.
Seahawks DK Metcalf and Jaron Brown wait to board the team charter for the return flight to Seattle.
Seahawks players including Russell Wilson and coaches including Pete Carroll erupt in cheers in the airplane cabin as they find out that they clinched a playoff spot after watching games via laptop before the team took off for the return flight to Seattle.
Upon arrival back at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, these faithful 12s were waiting to greet the team.
