Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Tuesday, October 31 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Douglas Clawson of CBS Sports looks at the ascension of the Seahawks defense and the addition of Leonard Williams.
Don't look now, but the Seahawks are in first place in the NFC West after Sunday's 24-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns. On Tuesday, Seattle agreed to a trade with the New York Giants to acquire defensive lineman Leonard Williams. In his latest for CBS Sports, Douglas Clawson breaks down why adding Williams to the league’s stingiest defense in October bolster Seattle's roster and playoff potential.
Seattle is currently on a two-game win streak, winning three games out of their last four, with the defense playing a major role. The Seahawks currently rank No. 8 in rushing yards allowed per game (96.9), finishing 30th in 2022 (151.9). In their last four contests, Seattle has surrendered just three fourth-quarter points combined, tying with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1.0) for fewest-points-allowed in the final quarter of their last three contests. The Seahawks have also allowed just nine second-half points in the last four games. Clawson breaks down the defensive transformation in-comparison to last season.
"Seattle's run defense was embarrassed last year. They gave up 112 yards and three scores to Taysom Hill in a Week 5 loss to the Saints Josh Jacobs ran for 229 yards, including an 86-yarder in OT in Week 12 They allowed 223 rush yards to the Panthers at home in Week 14 The 49ers ran for at least 170 yards in all three wins vs Seattle.
Fast forward to 2023 and Seattle has improved from 26th to third in yards per rush allowed and 24th to fourth in yards before contact allowed. The return of Bobby Wagner has something to do with it. He has shown no signs of aging as he is the second-highest graded linebacker by PFF this year. Wagner has the fifth-most tackles in the NFL (76) and the lowest missed tackle rate (2.5%) in the league in 2023 (min. 50 tackles)."
In April, Seattle selected Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon No. 5 overall. Through six games, Witherspoon has recorded 33 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, 8 passes defensed and one interception, a pick six that helped him win NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Clawson breaks down why Witherspoon could follow in the footsteps of New York Jets second-year cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner in winning the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
"Gardner led a Jets' defensive revival last year that had him drawing Revis Island comparisons. Witherspoon is leading a Seahawks defensive improvement that'll have people hoping a return to the Legion of Boom days is in the works. Gardner was the first rookie CB honored with an All-Pro selection since Ronnie Lott. While he's the premier coverage cornerback in the league, Witherspoon is flashing upside all over the field. He leads the NFL in yards per attempt in coverage (3.9) this season after leading the FBS in that category (3.0) in his final college season at Illinois. He's got the stats and viral plays that are tough to ignore, starting with this pick-six on Monday Night Football in Week 4. He came into the NFL with hype for big hits and has delivered so far. Bottomline. Witherspoon is a massive addition to a Seattle secondary that already benefited from Tariq Woolen's Pro Bowl season as a rookie in 2022."
Clawson also weighs in on the trade to bring Williams to Seattle. In his nine-year career, Williams has been an impact interior defender, starting his career with the New York Jets before being traded to the Giants in 2019. In the wake of Seattle losing linebacker Uchenna Nwosu to season-ending pectoral surgery, Williams will look to bolster the Seahawks' pass presence from inside. Since 2020, the University of Southern California alum's 20 sacks rank No. 8 of all interior linemen league wide. Clawson breaks down what Williams' addition could mean, as he reunites with former teammates Jamal Adams and Julian Love and joins a young Seattle pass rush.
"The Leonard Williams trade continues the makeover on Seattle's defense, especially with depth on the front seven. Not including Williams, the Seahawks have an NFL-high eight different players with multiple sacks this season. Three of the Seahawks' top five players in pressures this season are offseason additions, between Jarrad Reed (21), Dre'Mont Jones (19) and Mario Edwards (12). They'll be even more formidable if they can get anything from Frank Clark, who has yet to record a pressure on 35 pass rushes this year. Seattle might finally have a big-time edge rusher in Boye Mafe, though. He has at least 1.0 sack in five straight games, tied for the longest single-season streak in team history. The 2022 second-round pick entered Week 8 leading all edge rushers in ESPN's pass rush win rate, just ahead of Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Seattle's pass rush ranks 14th in pressure rate (36%) and sixth in sack rate this year (8.9%). That's definitely bolstered by an 11-sack game against the Giants, who have the worst offensive line in football, but the group, headlined by Mafe and now Williams, bears watching going forward."
Seattle prepares for its Week 9 road matchup this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens with another veteran presence looking to take Seattle's defense to another level.
Social Post Of The Day
Seahawks linebacker Nick Bellore announces the return of "Between Two Bellores" for Season 3.
More From Around The Web
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times:DK Metcalf’s big block keys game-winning TD; Seahawks WR says he ‘prides’ himself on blocking.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks acquire DL Leonard Williams from Giants for two draft picks.
The Associated Press: Carroll: Seahawks watched Leonard Williams for a long time.
Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports 710AM: Why Leonard Williams can ‘hit the ground running’ with Seahawks.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks roll dice again in Leonard Williams trade, eyeing championship contention.
Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Pete Carroll, Seahawks Demonstrating Adaptability Rotating Offensive Linemen.
Leonard Williams was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the New York Jets where he played three and a half seasons before being traded to the New York Giants. Check out some of the best photos from Williams' career so far.
FOR WEEKEND USE - FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2015 file photo, New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (62) celebrates with teammate Leger Douzable (78) after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Sean Renfree (12) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J. From the high-profile guys at the top of the draft, to the low-round gems and undrafted free agents, rookies have made a significant impact this season.(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is pressured by New York Jets' Sheldon Richardson (91) and Leonard Williams (92) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is sacked by New York Jets' Leonard Williams (92) and Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bengals were one of the best teams at protecting the quarterback the last few years. During a 2-3 start, they've been among the worst, with Andy Dalton under constant pressure. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 file photo, New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) yells prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. Leonard Williams is serious about tackling a leadership role with the New York Jets. So much so, the big defensive lineman has spent the offseason taking courses on the subject, trying to help fill what has become an ever-growing void on the Jets' veteran-purged roster.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New York Jets' Jamal Adams (33) and Leonard Williams (92) celebrate during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) celebrates after bringing down Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, bottom, who was trying to gain yardage on a scramble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) celebrates during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, runs past New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams (99) rushes toward New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) take down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) takes the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) tries to avoid a tackle by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) defends against Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) runs to the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) runs the ball against New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) in action against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings guard Olisaemeka Udoh (74) and guard Ed Ingram (67) block against New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) is brought down by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) takes the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) takes the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
