Where Seattle Seahawks' defense ranks among league's best

For the first time since the Legon of Boom era, the Seattle Seahawks have one of the NFL’s best defenses.

Where Seahawks stand in latest NFL power rankings

The foundation was laid last year, when new head coach Mike Macdonald transformed the defense into a top-five unit over the second half of the season. And the Seahawks have taken it to the next level this fall, solidifying themselves as one of the league’s truly elite defenses by ranking at or near the top of virtually every major statistical category.

The Seahawks’ latest dominant defensive performance came on Sunday, when they forced five takeaways, allowed just 162 total yards and overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings 26-0 for their first shutout since 2015.

As the 9-3 Seahawks make a push for the NFC West crown, here’s a look at where their defense ranks across the NFL in the major statistical categories – and how it compares to some of the legendary Legion of Boom-era units.

• 3rd in points allowed per game (18.1)

The Seahawks have chance to finish as a top-three scoring defense for just the sixth time in franchise history.

The previous five instances each came during the Legion of Boom era, as Seattle had the top-ranked scoring defense for four straight seasons from 2012-15 and finished No. 3 in 2016. Three of those Legion of Boom defenses allowed fewer than 16 points per game – including the 2013 Super Bowl championship team, which yielded just 14.4 points per game.

The Seahawks are one of seven teams allowing fewer than 20 points per game this season, along with the Texans (16.5), Rams (17.5), Broncos (18.2), Patriots (18.5), Packers (18.8) and Chiefs (19.3).

• 2nd in points allowed per drive (1.51)

The Seahawks are one of four teams allowing fewer than 1.75 points per drive this season, according to Pro Football Reference. The others are the Texans (1.44), Broncos (1.58) and Rams (1.60).

For context, Seattle’s Legion of Boom defenses allowed fewer than 1.40 points per drive for three straight seasons from 2012-14 – including just 1.17 in 2013.

• 2nd in yards allowed per play (4.55)

If the Seahawks were to finish the season allowing just 4.55 yards per play, it would be the second-best mark in franchise history – trailing only the 2013 Super Bowl champs’ 4.42 mark.

It would also be one of the best marks by any NFL defense over the past 15 seasons, according to Stathead. Since 2011, only three defenses have allowed 4.55 yards per play or fewer over an entire season: The 2015 Super Bowl champion Broncos (4.39), the aforementioned 2013 Super Bowl champion Seahawks and the 2011 Steelers (4.51). Along with the Seahawks, this year’s Broncos (4.46) also have a chance to join that group.

• 1st in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.1)

The Seahawks have allowed a league-low 6.1 yards per pass attempt, which is slightly ahead of the Packers (6.2), Broncos (6.3) and Texans (6.3). The Seahawks are also tied with the Texans in allowing a league-low 4.4 adjusted net yards per pass attempt – a statistic that provides a more well-rounded look at pass defense by factoring in sacks, touchdowns and interceptions.

For context, the 2013 Super Bowl champion Seahawks allowed 5.8 yards per pass attempt and just 3.2 adjusted net yards per pass attempt.

• 4th in yards allowed per carry (3.8)

The Seahawks are one of nine teams allowing fewer than 4.0 yards per carry. The others are the Browns (3.7), Broncos (3.7), Raiders (3.8), Packers (3.9), Lions (3.9), Colts (3.9), Jaguars (3.9) and Rams (3.9).

• 4th in sacks (40)

The Seahawks’ 40 sacks are the fifth-most through the first 12 games of a season in franchise history. They are on pace for 56 sacks, which would be the second-most in franchise history – trailing only the 61 sacks from the 1985 team.

The other teams this season with 40-plus sacks are the Broncos (51), Browns (43) and Falcons (41).

• T-6th in takeaways (18)

For as great as the Seahawks’ defense has been, it only had 13 takeaways through the first 11 games. But after forcing five turnovers against the Vikings on Sunday, the Seahawks surged into a tie for the sixth-most takeaways this season at 18. They have 13 interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

The Bears lead the NFL with 26 takeaways, followed by the Steelers (22), Jaguars (20), Rams (20) and Texans (19).

• 1st in defensive DVOA

The Seahawks have a league-best 19.4% defensive DVOA rating, sitting ahead of the Texans (16.2%), Browns (14.7%), Rams (14.2%) and Broncos (14.0%).

DVOA, a formula created by FTN Fantasy’s Aaron Schatz, measures a team’s overall efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent. So, by this measure, the Seahawks’ defense is considered to be 19.4% better than the average 2025 NFL defense.

Seattle ranks No. 1 in run defense DVOA and No. 2 in pass defense DVOA.

Where Seattle Seahawks’ defense ranks among league’s best

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