The Seattle Seahawks are getting loud defensive praise heading into their rivalry matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs on Saturday, Jan 17.
On Marshawn Lynch’s “Get Got” podcast, former Seahawks Super Bowl champion Michael Bennett called Seattle’s current defense “dominating,” and framed the unit as a connected, film-heavy group that’s winning with discipline and sacrifice, the exact kind of identity Seahawks fans love hearing about right before a 49ers game.
Michael Bennett Says Seahawks Defense Is “Dominating”
Bennett didn’t tiptoe around it. While discussing the current Seahawks, he said he “love(s) this… defense,” describing it as “dominating,” even if it looks different than the Legion of Boom era.
His biggest theme: Seattle plays as one unit. Bennett pointed to the way the defense works together snap-to-snap, with guys doing the unglamorous things (setting edges, playing disciplined gaps, being disruptive even if it doesn’t show up as a box-score explosion).
That’s where he brought up disruption over raw stats, the idea that a defender can change games without gaudy sack totals, especially when the front and back end are working in sync.
Bennett also praised the group’s identity under head coach Mike Macdonald saying the staff has leaned into production and fit, building a roster that buys into the same mission.
What It Means for Seahawks vs. 49ers
If Bennett’s read is right, this is exactly the type of Seahawks defense that once again dominate against a familiar opponent.
Against San Francisco, the biggest swing usually comes down to two things:
- Can Seattle’s front make Brock Purdy uncomfortable without blitzing themselves into trouble?
- Can the Seahawks stay disciplined vs. the 49ers’ run game and play-action looks?
Bennett spent time on the pod explaining how elite defensive lines win by understanding tendencies, formations, and “keys,” not just chasing sacks. That’s relevant here: the 49ers thrive when defenses get impatient, lose gap integrity, and start freelancing.
A “dominating” Seahawks defense in this matchup likely means:
- early-down run discipline (no cheap cutbacks)
- red-zone stands (forcing field goals)
- consistent pressure (even if it’s “just” hurries)
Stats, Rankings, and More
- Scoring defense: Seahawks allowed 292 points (17.2 per game) — 1st in the NFL.
- Total defense: 285.9 yards allowed per game (3,297 pass yards; 1,563 rush yards).
- Run defense: Seattle gave up 91.9 rush yards per game (3rd-best in the NFL).
- Sacks / pass rush: Seahawks posted 47.0 sacks — 8th in the NFL.
- QB disruption: Fox Sports lists Seattle with 73 hurries on the season.
- Takeaways (rate): Seahawks ranked 6th in takeaways per game (1.5).
- Turnovers: 18 INT, 7 fumble recoveries, plus 9 forced fumbles.
- Red-zone defense: Opponents scored TDs on 50.0% of red-zone trips vs. Seattle (tied among the best in the league — top 5 range depending on source).
- Next Gen pressure “proof point” (one-game example): Seahawks.com noted Seattle pressured Trevor Lawrence on 25 of 50 dropbacks (50%) in one midseason win.
Key individual “unit” notes:
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Leonard Williams: 7.0 sacks, 9 TFL (and he earned AP Second-Team All-Pro honors).
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Uchenna Nwosu: 7.0 sacks in 16 games.
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DeMarcus Lawrence: 6.0 sacks, 11 TFL, plus multiple splash plays listed (including 3 forced fumbles / 3 recoveries in Fox Sports’ log)
Game-info:
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Divisional Round: 49ers (12–5) at Seahawks (14–3), Jan. 17 at Lumen Field, 8 p.m. ET.
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Injury nugget: Sam Darnold popped up questionable (oblique) on the final report.
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