MVP of the defense? That's like picking the "best" Coen brother's movie. It's very, very subjective and people enjoy different things. I could waste a lot of your time making a case for Devon Witherspoon. Big Cat is certainly in the running. Our rookie who wears Russell Wilson's jersey can even make a compelling argument. But I think that's what makes our defense great. It's not a defense with one or two absolute studs and a bunch of lesser pieces. It's 11 very talented guys; any of whom can make a big play at any time. Mrs. Turtleman asked me what player's jersey I would most want, and I couldn't settle on an answer. JSN would be easy on offense for a lot of people, but it's the defense that makes this the best team in football.
How I think this might go is that, unlike the last game, the Seahawks close out a few drives early and end up 17-0 or 17-3 up early in the game. A Purdy miscue and a quick score could put the game away early for the Seahawks, and the 12's can spend the rest of the game celebrating.
Or
Like the last game, the game becomes a slog, with the Seahawks defense allowing some drives, but minimal scoring, and the 9'ers the same. It becomes a waiting game to see which offense (or defense or special teams) can score a TD first to break the logjam. The Seahawks are built to play a game like this, so this should not be uncomfortable in this. Be patient, and let the game come to them.
Either way I think they win. They are the better team, but it's football, and the best team still has to play like the best team, and I think we will. This is where Mike Macdonald makes a difference.
MVP ranked list: Murphy, then Jones, Thomas, Emmanwori, Big Cat, Tank.
Murphy because of the run defense, massive leap in pass rush production, and respect from his fellow linemen. The LBs because of the consistency throughout the year with both splash plays and just doing their jobs, with Jones' emotional leadership giving him the edge. D really hit another level when Emmanwori returned to play. Big Cat was mostly dominant as usual, but had a couple games where he disappeared. Tank for the run D and veteran leadership. Obviously Riq, Spoon, Coby, Love, Jobe, and Okada all had great years as well (at least, when they were able to play.) Pretty freaking awesome when you can say that about 12 players on one side of the ball!
I trust MM's assessment and that makes me nominate Byron Murphy III for Defensive MVP of the Hawks. But there are others almost equally worthy, including Jones, Drake Thomas, Witherspoon, and DLaw, and Leo Williams. Honorable mention goes to Nwosu, Woolen. Coby, and Okada. Emmanwari, too.
It's hard to pick the MVP in a super group. Ringo, George, John or Paul? Jack, Ginger, or Eric? I'm going to go with Nick Emanwori. That kid is all over the place and would be impossible to replace.
What's this that I've been hearing about T Locket signing a one day contract with the Hawks? Haven't read this from any one of the big sports media groups and especially not from the greatest Seahawk prognosticator SJoe. Would be great tho. I'm also very tired of hearing about Sam D. STILL has to prove himself. Give it a break...move on...get over it! That's all I have to say about it!
Which player do you think is the MVP of the 2025 Seahawks defense?
My choice would be Bryon Murphy II (in my eyes) as he has been the most consistent player on the team and the most unrecognized in the league. Because of his presence teams double team him but they do not move him. Thus, he plugs a gap and allows other teammates to make plays and improve their statistics. Still he accumulated seven sacks, multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and applied pressure on the QB. Bryon Murphy II consistently makes the defense better if not elite.
Yep...scary strong dude...Godzilla with neck tats. Our D front four, with all it's rotations, is the best. Period. Full stomp. To opposing O-lines I can only say, 'may the fours be with you...on you and through you'.
Leonard Williams has even pointed out that Murphy is the best run defender on the team. He may be the most important reason that we can play in nickel all the time. Sounds pretty MVP-ish to me.
I do predict games. (Only the Seahawks games) And I’ve correctly predicted the outcome of the last 12 games. 13 - 3 may have been the score of the last game, but the Seahawks left at least 13 additional points out there with 2 missed FGs and that first and goal from the 1, missing Charbs wide open in the flat and taking the sack. I see them as winning this game by at least 17 points. Both teams considered that last game the start of playoffs for them with what was at stake in seeding. This time we have the 12s playing for us as well.
You're probably right, but I wouldn't be surprised if the game got weird and ended up 50-0. This really could be the game SF totally flops. Emotional highs are frequently followed by emotional lows, and if SF falls behind by 14-21 points in the first half, they might just take an early fllight home and start making plans for next year.
The narrative: It’s all about Sam Darnold’s interceptions.
The reality in the 2025 season:
* Darnold threw 0.83 interceptions per game. Purdy threw 1.2 interceptions per game.
* Darnold threw interceptions on 2.9% of his attempts. Purdy threw interceptions on 3.8% of his attempts.
If the Seattle run game is effective, and the 49ers run game is not, Sam can play carefully and Purdy will need to take more risks. Given the short week for the Niners and the bye week for the Seahawks, I expect that the Seahawks run game advantage will continue.
There are no guarantees in the NFL. A strong running game and a dominant defense (and a special teams that is likely to return to form) are about as close to a guarantee as we can expect. It all comes down to red zone and turnovers.
Don't think it can be either Love or Bryant bc when they were hurt, the next up were able to compensate pretty well. Same goes for the corners (mostly), and linebackers although Ernest Jones could be one of our MVP candidates.
So it takes me to the DL and to our hybrids. And among them, have to chose between:
Leonard Williams
Byron Murphy
Demarcus Lawrence
Nick Emmanwori
Devon Witherspoon
No offense (at all!) to Uchenna or Hall or Mafe, nor to Reed. It's just I think those 5 guys have been the difference makers (along with a shout-out to Ernest Jones)
Almost impossible to chose between these five + EJ.
I think most people would say Leonard Williams and I agree. But Lawrence and Spoon have an add'l emotional quotient that is almost as important as their stats. Murphy toils in obscurity but may be the key to the whole thing working bc he's routinely occupying double teams. And Emmanwori creates the disruption MacDonald is famous for, lining up all over the place and impacting so many plays behind the line.
I gotta go with Murphy, but Leo wins it if he leans farther at the tape.
Everything he does to take on mulitple OL, wreck plays and schemes, and pressure the QB makes this defense tick (dominoes, if you will). EJ3 needs him/them to stay clean. It all starts in the middle of the line, and I think we have the best 2 in the league. Flip a coin, if you must have a winner.
Yes I do agree it’s splitting hairs between the two of them (and Reed ain’t no slouch either) — hard pressed to name a better pair. I guess Carter and Davis in Philly could make an argument but I like ours better
If we define the 'MVP' as being the one player that we'd miss if you plucked them off of the team, I'd go with Emmanwori. You take him off the field, can you stay in nickel on 1st down? Can you stay in nickel against 13 personnel? Do you lose you biggest chess piece, and ultimate flexibility on defense? I think you do. Emmanwori's presence and skills are huge. I know it seems odd to pick him over a highly valued vet like Leo, especially when he's such a heart and soul guy, but I think that Emmanwori is the guy that causes offensive coordinators the most heartburn.
I think it is also Big Cat. But I think the whole concept of the MVP for the defense doesn't work. There are so many players integral to their success. When I think of MVP, I think if you pull the player out what causes the most damage? Maybe it is EJ (partly becuase the backup LBs are significantly not as good).
I also think Tank Lawrence has just been an incredible fit and a huge key to the success this year compared to last. But not sure I would give him the MVP nod.
Good question, hard to say. And hard to say is probably a great attribute to the defense.
I think back to the 2023 Steelers game where Devin Bush had 18 tackles because, as the weak link on the defense, the Steelers ran just about every play at him.* In that light, maybe Drake Thomas is the MVP because he has so successfully replaced Tyrice Knight—I.e., there’s now no weak link to exploit. (You can bet that both McVey and Shanahan would figure out ways to go after Knight.)
* Julian Love had 14 tackles. At one point, his body language practically screamed “I have to clean up after this guy again?”
I love how this team plays for one another. There’s no resentment about backing up another player. If a guy misses a tackle, the rest of the team will back him up and then defend him to the press.
I don’t know if the team will win out, but if they don’t, this team will hold its head high, avoid placing blame, and focus on next season. The brotherhood is real.
Malcolm Smith comes to mind. In a game where the defense dominated, they rewarded the guy who happened to have the best stats that game. May Drake Thomas win it this year. When he makes big plays, the team gets big wins.
For the season? Big Cat would have my vote. He and Murphy anchor the whole thing, setting up the rest of the defense for success. I’d go with Leonard Williams simply because he can play a wider range of roles.
MVP of the defense? That's like picking the "best" Coen brother's movie. It's very, very subjective and people enjoy different things. I could waste a lot of your time making a case for Devon Witherspoon. Big Cat is certainly in the running. Our rookie who wears Russell Wilson's jersey can even make a compelling argument. But I think that's what makes our defense great. It's not a defense with one or two absolute studs and a bunch of lesser pieces. It's 11 very talented guys; any of whom can make a big play at any time. Mrs. Turtleman asked me what player's jersey I would most want, and I couldn't settle on an answer. JSN would be easy on offense for a lot of people, but it's the defense that makes this the best team in football.
How I think this might go is that, unlike the last game, the Seahawks close out a few drives early and end up 17-0 or 17-3 up early in the game. A Purdy miscue and a quick score could put the game away early for the Seahawks, and the 12's can spend the rest of the game celebrating.
Or
Like the last game, the game becomes a slog, with the Seahawks defense allowing some drives, but minimal scoring, and the 9'ers the same. It becomes a waiting game to see which offense (or defense or special teams) can score a TD first to break the logjam. The Seahawks are built to play a game like this, so this should not be uncomfortable in this. Be patient, and let the game come to them.
Either way I think they win. They are the better team, but it's football, and the best team still has to play like the best team, and I think we will. This is where Mike Macdonald makes a difference.
MVP ranked list: Murphy, then Jones, Thomas, Emmanwori, Big Cat, Tank.
Murphy because of the run defense, massive leap in pass rush production, and respect from his fellow linemen. The LBs because of the consistency throughout the year with both splash plays and just doing their jobs, with Jones' emotional leadership giving him the edge. D really hit another level when Emmanwori returned to play. Big Cat was mostly dominant as usual, but had a couple games where he disappeared. Tank for the run D and veteran leadership. Obviously Riq, Spoon, Coby, Love, Jobe, and Okada all had great years as well (at least, when they were able to play.) Pretty freaking awesome when you can say that about 12 players on one side of the ball!
Thomas is my favourite, but MVP? Probably not. The whole unit should be recognised as MVP(‘s).
I trust MM's assessment and that makes me nominate Byron Murphy III for Defensive MVP of the Hawks. But there are others almost equally worthy, including Jones, Drake Thomas, Witherspoon, and DLaw, and Leo Williams. Honorable mention goes to Nwosu, Woolen. Coby, and Okada. Emmanwari, too.
It's hard to pick the MVP in a super group. Ringo, George, John or Paul? Jack, Ginger, or Eric? I'm going to go with Nick Emanwori. That kid is all over the place and would be impossible to replace.
MVP of the defense is Lenny, all due respect to the rest.
The defensive MVP is MM and JS. The right scheme with the right players! Any questions?
What's this that I've been hearing about T Locket signing a one day contract with the Hawks? Haven't read this from any one of the big sports media groups and especially not from the greatest Seahawk prognosticator SJoe. Would be great tho. I'm also very tired of hearing about Sam D. STILL has to prove himself. Give it a break...move on...get over it! That's all I have to say about it!
Which player do you think is the MVP of the 2025 Seahawks defense?
My choice would be Bryon Murphy II (in my eyes) as he has been the most consistent player on the team and the most unrecognized in the league. Because of his presence teams double team him but they do not move him. Thus, he plugs a gap and allows other teammates to make plays and improve their statistics. Still he accumulated seven sacks, multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and applied pressure on the QB. Bryon Murphy II consistently makes the defense better if not elite.
Yep...scary strong dude...Godzilla with neck tats. Our D front four, with all it's rotations, is the best. Period. Full stomp. To opposing O-lines I can only say, 'may the fours be with you...on you and through you'.
Leonard Williams has even pointed out that Murphy is the best run defender on the team. He may be the most important reason that we can play in nickel all the time. Sounds pretty MVP-ish to me.
I was going to bring up Murphy too. He so quite out there eating two blocker each play that I think D would miss him the most.
I do predict games. (Only the Seahawks games) And I’ve correctly predicted the outcome of the last 12 games. 13 - 3 may have been the score of the last game, but the Seahawks left at least 13 additional points out there with 2 missed FGs and that first and goal from the 1, missing Charbs wide open in the flat and taking the sack. I see them as winning this game by at least 17 points. Both teams considered that last game the start of playoffs for them with what was at stake in seeding. This time we have the 12s playing for us as well.
I’m hoping that point is first quarter. I don’t mind if it’s a little boring blowout
Going to the game and I expect it to be like 2013 playoff loud. The game could get away from SF at any point.
28-10 Seahawks.
You're probably right, but I wouldn't be surprised if the game got weird and ended up 50-0. This really could be the game SF totally flops. Emotional highs are frequently followed by emotional lows, and if SF falls behind by 14-21 points in the first half, they might just take an early fllight home and start making plans for next year.
The narrative: It’s all about Sam Darnold’s interceptions.
The reality in the 2025 season:
* Darnold threw 0.83 interceptions per game. Purdy threw 1.2 interceptions per game.
* Darnold threw interceptions on 2.9% of his attempts. Purdy threw interceptions on 3.8% of his attempts.
If the Seattle run game is effective, and the 49ers run game is not, Sam can play carefully and Purdy will need to take more risks. Given the short week for the Niners and the bye week for the Seahawks, I expect that the Seahawks run game advantage will continue.
There are no guarantees in the NFL. A strong running game and a dominant defense (and a special teams that is likely to return to form) are about as close to a guarantee as we can expect. It all comes down to red zone and turnovers.
MVP of the defense? Very difficult to call.
Don't think it can be either Love or Bryant bc when they were hurt, the next up were able to compensate pretty well. Same goes for the corners (mostly), and linebackers although Ernest Jones could be one of our MVP candidates.
So it takes me to the DL and to our hybrids. And among them, have to chose between:
Leonard Williams
Byron Murphy
Demarcus Lawrence
Nick Emmanwori
Devon Witherspoon
No offense (at all!) to Uchenna or Hall or Mafe, nor to Reed. It's just I think those 5 guys have been the difference makers (along with a shout-out to Ernest Jones)
Almost impossible to chose between these five + EJ.
I think most people would say Leonard Williams and I agree. But Lawrence and Spoon have an add'l emotional quotient that is almost as important as their stats. Murphy toils in obscurity but may be the key to the whole thing working bc he's routinely occupying double teams. And Emmanwori creates the disruption MacDonald is famous for, lining up all over the place and impacting so many plays behind the line.
Gotta pick one? Leonard Williams is our MVP.
I gotta go with Murphy, but Leo wins it if he leans farther at the tape.
Everything he does to take on mulitple OL, wreck plays and schemes, and pressure the QB makes this defense tick (dominoes, if you will). EJ3 needs him/them to stay clean. It all starts in the middle of the line, and I think we have the best 2 in the league. Flip a coin, if you must have a winner.
Yes I do agree it’s splitting hairs between the two of them (and Reed ain’t no slouch either) — hard pressed to name a better pair. I guess Carter and Davis in Philly could make an argument but I like ours better
If we define the 'MVP' as being the one player that we'd miss if you plucked them off of the team, I'd go with Emmanwori. You take him off the field, can you stay in nickel on 1st down? Can you stay in nickel against 13 personnel? Do you lose you biggest chess piece, and ultimate flexibility on defense? I think you do. Emmanwori's presence and skills are huge. I know it seems odd to pick him over a highly valued vet like Leo, especially when he's such a heart and soul guy, but I think that Emmanwori is the guy that causes offensive coordinators the most heartburn.
This is a great question.
I think it is also Big Cat. But I think the whole concept of the MVP for the defense doesn't work. There are so many players integral to their success. When I think of MVP, I think if you pull the player out what causes the most damage? Maybe it is EJ (partly becuase the backup LBs are significantly not as good).
I also think Tank Lawrence has just been an incredible fit and a huge key to the success this year compared to last. But not sure I would give him the MVP nod.
Good question, hard to say. And hard to say is probably a great attribute to the defense.
Plus, who is to say what “valuable” means?
I think back to the 2023 Steelers game where Devin Bush had 18 tackles because, as the weak link on the defense, the Steelers ran just about every play at him.* In that light, maybe Drake Thomas is the MVP because he has so successfully replaced Tyrice Knight—I.e., there’s now no weak link to exploit. (You can bet that both McVey and Shanahan would figure out ways to go after Knight.)
* Julian Love had 14 tackles. At one point, his body language practically screamed “I have to clean up after this guy again?”
I love how this team plays for one another. There’s no resentment about backing up another player. If a guy misses a tackle, the rest of the team will back him up and then defend him to the press.
I don’t know if the team will win out, but if they don’t, this team will hold its head high, avoid placing blame, and focus on next season. The brotherhood is real.
Malcolm Smith comes to mind. In a game where the defense dominated, they rewarded the guy who happened to have the best stats that game. May Drake Thomas win it this year. When he makes big plays, the team gets big wins.
For the season? Big Cat would have my vote. He and Murphy anchor the whole thing, setting up the rest of the defense for success. I’d go with Leonard Williams simply because he can play a wider range of roles.