Mike Macdonald’s Defense Has Seattle Looking Like a True Contender in the NFC

The Seattle Seahawks didn’t just beat Jacksonville on Sunday — they overwhelmed them.

In a 20–12 win that showcased the team’s physical edge and discipline, Mike Macdonald’s defense delivered its most complete performance of the season.

Despite fielding a patchwork secondary and a handful of front-seven injuries, Seattle generated seven sacks, smothered the Jaguars’ ground game, and looked every bit like a top-five defense in the league.

The front four, led by DeMarcus Lawrence and Byron Murphy II, dominated the line of scrimmage, collapsing pockets and forcing Trevor Lawrence into constant pressure.

Murphy, who had just half a sack as a rookie last year, already has 4.5 sacks through six games, while Lawrence continues to anchor the front in his first season after a decade in Dallas.

The result: Jacksonville managed just 59 rushing yards on 19 carries, including a mere 27 yards on 12 attempts from Travis Etienne Jr., one of the NFL’s most productive backs this season.

That kind of defensive control didn’t go unnoticed. During Pro Football Talk’s weekly breakdown, analyst Chris Simms praised Seattle’s physical dominance and trench execution, saying:

“The Seahawks’ defensive line took over the football game. They collapsed the pocket, they couldn’t run the ball — the Seahawks’ D-line whooped the Jaguars up front.”

It was a performance that reflected exactly what Macdonald preaches — relentless pressure, disciplined gaps, and complementary team defense.

Macdonald’s Blueprint Is Taking Hold

Through six weeks, the Seahawks rank second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (79) and fourth overall in total rushing yards allowed (474) — trailing only Houston, Atlanta, and Green Bay.

They’re also top-10 in scoring defense, giving up just 19.5 points per game, nearly matching the Vikings and Colts.

That kind of balance and toughness is precisely what Seattle hoped for when hiring Macdonald last winter. The former Ravens defensive coordinator brought with him a proven system built on hybrid fronts and disguised pressures — and now, it’s starting to click.

Even Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio took note of that progress, highlighting how well Macdonald’s group has performed under tough conditions.

“The key to the game was Mike Macdonald’s defense. Even with a banged-up secondary, they at least were healthy on the defensive line — and that group took over.”

Those injuries have hit all three levels of the defense. Devin Witherspoon (knee), Riq Woolen (concussion), and Julian Love (hamstring) have all missed time, while veterans Derick Hall, Johnathan Hankins, and Rylie Mills remain sidelined.

Yet the system hasn’t flinched. Depth players such as Ty Okada, Coby Bryant, and Josh Jobe have filled critical roles, keeping Seattle’s defensive identity intact.

Building a Championship Identity

Resilience has been Macdonald’s hallmark — and the Seahawks are embodying it. Despite constant roster turnover, this defense continues to dictate tempo, winning at the line of scrimmage and suffocating opposing run games.

Simms believes that sustained health could elevate Seattle to the NFC’s elite tier.

“If they can play like that on the defensive line, then get Devin Witherspoon and Julian Love back, watch out.”

It’s a warning that carries weight. The Seahawks already boast one of the league’s most consistent front sevens and a top-five run defense.

Once the secondary regains full strength, Macdonald’s unit could rival the NFC’s best. At 4–2, Seattle’s ceiling is rising fast — and their defense is the reason why.