The Seattle Seahawks struggled to maintain their lead earlier this season. About a month ago, Mike Macdonald's inconsistent unit entered Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams and averaged 29th-ranked 148.4 rushing yards per game. They also allowed the fifth-highest yards per carry average (4.9) in the league.
Things have changed drastically in the last few weeks. In Sunday's Week 13 victory over the New York Jets, their third straight triumph, the combination of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen was limited to 71 rushing yards and zero touchdowns over 17 carries. The Jets were ultimately held under 100 net rushing yards.
Seattle's run stopping metrics have improved dramatically since the Week 9 update. Macdonald's disciplined run defense now ranks 22nd in the league, allowing 127 yards per outing. They overcome their lackluster start to the season and continue to climb the charts.
The Run defense this season:
First 8 games: 27th (sixth worst)
Last 2 games: 6th best– Seahawks Today (@TodaySeahawks)
In fact, the Seahawks have faced four outstanding running backs in the last four weeks. The list includes Hall, Kyren Williams, Christian McCaffrey and James Conner. The results? Macdonald's defense has allowed 216 rushing yards and zero touchdowns over 60 carries. That equates to just 3.6 yards per carry.
They were driven forward by dominant performances Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and co.
The turning point for Seattle's run defense was arguably the swap of linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson for Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight. Jones has been a tackling machine since being acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. Seattle's improving run defense is peaking at the right time.
