The Seattle Seahawks, many would argue, are the most complete football team across the NFL. Their defense was suffocating and dangerous from the first snap of the season, and they never let up, which was a tremendous catalyst for getting the Seahawks to where they are now.
On top of their defense, while the offense exploded out of the gate in the first half of the season, inconsistencies and sporadic play crept in in the second half, which was partly due to Sam Darnold not playing his best football. Still, overall, the Seahawks offense remains one of the more threatening groups in the league.
Special teams were also solid, especially after the midseason acquisition of Rashid Shaheed. Combining all of these elements, including stellar coaching from the head coach down, the Seahawks may very well be the most complete team in the league, but it was all the result of hard work, a testament that DeMarcus Lawrence is fully aware of.
DeMarcus Lawrence credits the Seattle Seahawks' hard work
Speaking of catalysts, Lawrence was, without question, a solidified catalyst on Seattle's defense this season, and it continued into the playoffs. The long-time Dallas Cowboy was no longer wanted in Jerry World, so he moved to Seattle, where it is evident everyone wants him.
Lawrence has shown all season he wasn't washed, old, or teetering on the back end of his career, even though, in reality, he's more of a long-time veteran than a prime footballer. While his statistical production wasn't as high as it has been in past years in Dallas, Lawrence's veteran presence has been instrumental to Seattle's defense.
Lawrence was responsible for three forced fumbles during the regular season — amongst his six sacks — including three fumble recoveries. Lawrence seemingly had a knack for forcing turnovers, and he was back at it again against the San Francisco 49ers this past weekend, where he forced two more fumbles, while also sacking Brock Purdy once.
Lawrence has done nothing but work hard all season since his tenure in Seattle began, and he attributes hard work to the Seahawks' season and how they got this far.
"It's just a testament to all the hard work we've been putting in all year," Lawrence said after the Seahawks defense allowed the 49ers just six points. "We understand what we have here, you know, just playing complementary football and let the rest take care of itself."
Seattle would not be in the current position that they are, on the cusp of a Super Bowl, had hard work not been involved. It's one of the reasons why Mike Macdonald should be a top candidate for Coach of the Year. He's done a masterful job of coaching in his second year. His coordinators have followed his lead, and it's why their names are coming up in future head coaching searches.
As it relates to Lawrence and the Seahawks' defense in particular, that group has predicated everyone on hard work, and they've made opponents' offenses work even harder, mostly to no avail. They did it against the 49ers, and will not have to do the same against the Rams.
It will be another battle between the NFC West division rivals, and, including the game against the 49ers, this two-game playoff slate is the most important one the Seahawks have had since their Super Bowl run a decade ago. The hard work never ends, but beating the Rams will make the payoff more than worth the trouble.