The Los Angeles Rams are NFC contenders—but if they aim to reach the Super Bowl, their toughest test may come within their own division. The Seattle Seahawks, led by Mike Macdonald, boast a defense that’s primed to disrupt L.A.’s postseason plans.
Season Two Surge
The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen highlighted Seattle as a potential defensive breakout for 2025 thanks to their mastery of Macdonald’s intricate scheme. Nguyen noted that Macdonald’s complex system—requiring players to “move around the chessboard to cause confusion”—typically gains traction in Year 2. Last season, Seattle’s defense was particularly tough on long down-and-distance plays, ranking first in defensive EPA from Week 9 onward.
Elite Pressure, Rotational Strength
The Athletic’s analyst Derrik Klassen echoed that sentiment:
“I think there’s a chance that they can be the best defense in the league … It just feels like they are never in the wrong call … Mike Macdonald teaches the secondary very well, and then he brings his pressures in a way that is very smart.”
Klassen further praised Seattle’s interior strength, singling out Leonard Williams as a top-tier tackle and highlighting Byron Murphy’s potential to rise as a rotational force.
Continuity in the Ranks
ESPN’s Brady Henderson detailed the steady progression of Seattle’s defense under Macdonald. “They cut rushing allowed from 146.1 yards per game early in the season to just 96.2 in the final nine weeks,” Henderson reported. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde emphasized how familiarity breeds speed: “They’re talking, they’re anticipating them and they’re understanding how to play fast.”
Notably, the Seahawks return most of their starting unit, including star CB Devon Witherspoon and safety Julian Love, bolstered by veteran edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence and second-round rookie Nick Emmanwori.
A Tough Match for L.A.
The Rams faced Seattle once last season and barely escaped—a 26–20 overtime win in Week 9 that required a 103-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 39-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford to Demarcus Robinson. The Rams collected three interceptions and seven sacks to survive.
But that was before Seattle ironed out its defense. With the added cohesion and young talent, the Seahawks could tip those Week 11 and Week 16 rematches in 2025. If they do, L.A.’s chances at home-field advantage could slip, making an October stumble a potential postseason tsunami.
