That is the ultimate week earlier than the Seattle Seahawks kick off 2023 coaching camp, which after all is the precursor to preseason and that candy, candy feeling of NFL soccer being in our lives once more. Earlier within the week I produced my checklist of favourite common season performs on offense by the Seahawks, and to wrap up the workweek I’m doing the identical for the protection.
Not like the offense, this was slightly tougher as a result of, properly, you watched the Seahawks protection. However there have been nonetheless cool performs even in total unhealthy performances, and a few clutch moments of their higher outings! Let’s get to them! As a reminder that is my private rating with none outdoors session.
10.) Tariq Woolen denies Patrick Mahomes (Week 16 at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs)
We’re gonna be heavy on Riq Woolen performs for apparent causes. This one was not an interception, however it does showcase his restoration velocity and skill to trace the ball when he does get crushed down the sphere. On this case, Justin Watson had a step on him, and whereas Patrick Mahomes underthrew this a tad, Woolen was glorious at getting again into the play and forcing the unfinished move. I’m undecided Woolen had many targets his approach the remainder of the afternoon, and that’s with the perfect QB within the league on the opposite facet of the sphere.
9.) Darrell Taylor does all of it (Week 7 at Los Angeles Chargers)
In essentially the most complete win of the season on each side of the ball, Darrell Taylor capped off a dominant opening quarter by the Seahawks with a strip-sack of Justin Herbert, plus the fumble restoration. Consider it or not, this was one among solely two strip-sack turnovers all season, and Taylor brought on them each. In truth, 4 of Taylor’s 9.5 sacks have been strips, however this was his first profession restoration.
8.) Rookies unite, Half 1 (Week 5 at New Orleans Saints)
In an alternate universe, this was the turning level in an eventual Seahawks win. Alas, Taysom Hill couldn’t be contained.
Rookie slot nook Coby Bryant converged on Alvin Kamara for the compelled fumble, and Tariq Woolen scooped it up and ran it again the opposite approach. Seattle finally acquired a landing out of this on one among Geno Smith’s two lengthy strikes to Tyler Lockett. This was successfully a 9-point swing at minimal (as a result of Jason Myers missed the PAT).
As an apart: Matt Millen by some means thought Chris Olave saved a landing right here regardless of Woolen stumbling in every single place with a number of Saints surrounding him. Woolen’s quick, however he’s not that quick.
7.) Jordyn Brooks blitzes Mike White into an interception (Week 17 vs. New York Jets)
With the #Seahawks operating “Robber” on the again finish and sending Jordyn Brooks on the blitz, Mike White makes mistake of throwing the ball within the zip code of Quandre Diggs. That’s classic #6 ball hawking coupled with strain creating a nasty throw/determination. pic.twitter.com/xPtiU39DyA
— Corbin Okay. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) January 3, 2023
Throughout the Seahawks’ three-game dropping streak, the protection compelled zero turnovers. The drought ended towards the New York Jets courtesy of Quandre Diggs’ interception, however the play was actually made by Jordyn Brooks, whom I imagine doesn’t get despatched on blitzes typically sufficient. It’s unlucky that later within the half, Brooks would tear his ACL and be misplaced for the season.
6.) BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE (Week 8 vs. New York Giants)
Bruce Irvin knocked Daniel Jones into Saquon Barkley and turned what may’ve been a go-ahead landing drive right into a game-tying discipline purpose. What extra must be mentioned?
5.) No tricking Tariq (Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Munich)
Pete Carroll talked about it yesterday, however you may see Tariq Woolen trying in direction of sidelines as they barked at him to observe for throw to Tom Brady.
Not like earlier Wildcat play, he stayed dwelling and will get rewarded with Christmas reward interception from Fournette. pic.twitter.com/zIalWbStym
— Corbin Okay. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) November 16, 2022
This was largely a horrible determination by Leonard Fournette blended in with some greediness by Byron Leftwich to run this look a second time (on the identical drive, if I recall!). It was additionally humorous as hell and made funnier by the truth that TOM BRADY was the supposed receiver on this trick play. Woolen wasn’t fooled and made the Buccaneers pay.
4.) Tariq Woolen’s first profession pick-6 (Week 4 at Detroit Lions)
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen.
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen.
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen.
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen.
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen.
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen.
Do not throw late towards Tariq Woolen. pic.twitter.com/CmOFU6yVCU
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) October 4, 2022
Riq’s second of 4 consecutive video games with an interception, and his first profession pick-6. This was proper out of halftime and gave the Seahawks a 31-15 lead, which is necessary to notice as a result of the protection acquired completely scorched for 4 touchdowns on the ultimate 4 possessions of the sport. Woolen performed a significant half on this 48-45 Scorigami shootout, and who is aware of how this one would’ve ended if not for his nice learn and undercutting of Jared Goff’s throw.
3.) Kyler Murray’s case of deja vu (Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals, Week 9 at Cardinals)
Sure, for the second time I’m providing you with 11 performs as an alternative of 10 regardless of what the title says. Sue me. That is basically the identical scenario twice over, besides the house recreation was a third down run and the street recreation was 4th down. Kyler Murray had the yardage to transform, the room for extra yards down the sphere, and not one of the ball safety. At Lumen Area, Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen teamed up as soon as extra for the rookie FF-FR combo. Down in Glendale, Ryan Neal knocked Murray’s arm, which jarred the ball free, and Josh Jones was on the spot.
2.) Ought to’ve handed it as an alternative… (Week 1 vs. Denver Broncos)
I may’ve additionally made this one a double-up submit, however looking back, forcing Melvin Gordon to fumble wasn’t a very troublesome process in his time with Denver, so I’m going to omit that play although it was additionally pivotal. Uchenna Nwosu introduced his arrival in Seattle by successful Defensive Participant of the Week, and it was his strip of Javonte Williams that denied the Broncos on the 1-yard line but once more.
I need to spotlight Mike Jackson’s involvement right here, as he additionally recovered the Gordon fumble earlier. The important thing distinction? Any Denver participant may get better the ball ultimately zone for a landing because it was third down and never 4th down. When Gordon fumbled, he would’ve been the one Broncos participant eligible to get better and advance the ball—the “Holy Curler rule” as its higher recognized. Jackson didn’t actually save a landing on Gordon’s fumble, however he certain as hell did by denying Dalton Risner and Russell Wilson.
1.) Quandre Diggs helps ship Seattle to the playoffs, reunite Bobby Wagner with the Seahawks
This wasn’t troublesome to decide on this as my favourite defensive play. If Van Jefferson hauls this in, the Seahawks miss the playoffs and the temper of this place would’ve been loads completely different with a season-ending dwelling loss to a horrible Los Angeles Rams squad. As an alternative, a yr faraway from a horrific ankle fracture, Quandre Diggs swooped in and made the decide, let Bobby Wagner learn about it, and gave the Seahawks offense the ball again.
If you happen to watched this on tv, there was a cut up second the place you thought the Seahawks had misplaced. Quandre wouldn’t let that occur, and I hope he retires as a Seahawk every time his profession ends.
Honorable mentions: Tariq Woolen’s decide of Andy Dalton, Cody Barton intercepting Tom Brady in Munich, Uchenna Nwosu blasts out Kyler Murray, Coby Bryant’s nickel blitz sack on Marcus Mariota.
What have been your favourite defensive performs of the common season? Tell us within the feedback beneath! I’m certain I’ve forgotten some high quality defensive stands so be at liberty to incorporate any I’ve not listed right here.