Boye Mafe took a big leap in his second season with the Seahawks, going from 3.0 sacks as a rookie to a team-leading 9.0 last season, a total that included a franchise-record streak of seven straight games with a sack.
And if the first two games of the 2024 season are any indication, Mafe looks poised to take his game to an even higher level this season.
Mafe has recorded a sack in each of Seattle's first two games, adding three tackles for loss, nine total tackles and four quarterback hits, numbers that all indicate a strong start for the former second-round pick out of Minnesota. But the advanced stats paint an even more encouraging picture of Mafe's play two games into the season.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Mafe has generated an NFL-leading 14 pressures through two games, recording seven in each game, showing his ability to be disruptive even when he isn't able to get a sack. Mafe's pressure rate of 23.3 percent also leads the league among players who have at least 20-pass-rush snaps.
Mafe isn't just getting a lot of pressure, he also is getting that pressure quickly, recording half of them in under 2.5 seconds, giving him the second most quick pressures in the league. Mafe is also responsible for 32.6 percent of Seattle's total pressures, the second-highest team quarterback pressure share in the NFL.
And as Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald noted, Mafe has also been doing his job in the running game, a must for a player who has been on the field for 80 percent of Seattle's defensive snaps through two games. There are still more opportunities for Mafe to finish plays, Macdonald noted, but overall he's off to a great start.
"If you're going to play on the edge for us on early downs, you have to set a violent edge to the defense," Macdonald said. "If you don't have an edge, you saw a couple of times yesterday, the ball circles you. And that's not good. And that's a challenge that we had for Boye going into the season. So talking about having the mentality to take the coaching, understand what areas of his game that he needs to improve, and then attacking those things, having the mentality and the humility to attack areas of his game that needed to be improved. And he's done that and he's had some really good reps on tape in early downs and conversion rushes. It's still not perfect. There are still plays yesterday that he can improve on in that area. And then on third down, again, I can't think of a time where the guy hasn't been here and doing all the things that we're asking him to do. He's in great shape. He understands the game plan, he understands what his fastball is. He's not trying to be somebody he's not, but it also is teamwork on how you rush the passer. You can't just be out there rogue winning certain ways, and that's not congruent with the rest of the rush. So how that kind of works together with all four guys, I think he's doing an excellent job right now. And to your point, there's room for him to grow and finish in some of those plays. So off to a good start, but there's a lot of credit in terms of his mentality and his approach over the last few months."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' overtime win against the New England Patriots in Week 2 of the 2024 season.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba heads to the team buses for the trip to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots.
12s were plentiful in the stands for the Seahawks game at New England.
Seahawks president of football operations/general manager John Schneider signs autographs for fans before the game.
Seahawks quarterbacks Geno Smtih and Sam Howell make their way from the locker room to the field.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen heads to the field.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb talks to starting quarterback Geno Smith during pregame warmups.
Seahawks Legend Isaiah Kacyvenski (2000-2006) talks with Seahawks vice president of Health and Player Performance Sam Ramsden before the game.
In the visitors locker room, Seattle's Leonard Williams gathered his thoughts.
Seahawks outside linebacker Boye Mafe sacks Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett on the game's opening drive.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde on the sidelines.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf outraces everyone on his way to a 56-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Geno Smith.
Seahawks defenders Dre'Mont Jones, Devon Witherspoon and Derick Hall combine to make a tackle.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba keeps his eyes on the ball as he hauls in one of his game-high 12 catches.
At halftime, head coach Mike Macdonald talks to his defense.
In the locker room at halftme, safety Julian Love talks with defensive coordinator Aden Durde.
Seattle's Leonard Williams sacks New England's Jacoby Brisett in the third quarter.
Leonard Williams celebrates his third quarter sack of Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf battles for a long pass up the left sideline.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald surveys the field with his defense in the red zone.
Seahawks first round draft pick Byron Murphy II creates a sack in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Julian Love blocks a field goal in the fourth quarter leaving the Seahawks within a field goal and with a chance to tie the game.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf leaps over a defender.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers drills a 38-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
Seattle's Derick Hall forces an incomplete pass as he hits Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett as the ball is released.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith at midfield for the coin toss in overtime.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson makes a huge tackle on the Patriots' first drive of overtime, forcing a punt.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett reacts after being interfered with on a pass play in overtime as the official throws a flag for pass interference.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and safety Julian Love react after Tyler Lockett drew a pass interference penalty against the Patriots in overtime.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet stiff arms a defender in overtime.
Seattle's Michael Dickson smiles with kicker Jason Myers after Myers' game-winning field goal in overtime.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is congratulated by teammates after his game-winning field goal in overtime.
Seahawks, including Rayshawn Jenkins and Cody White, dance in the locker room after the overtime win.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith celebrates in the locker room after the victory.
Seahawks safety Julian Love was awarded a game ball for his key blocked field goal in the fourth quarter.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb received a game gall and is celebrated by his players including Charles Cross, McClendon Curtis and Connor Williams.
