The Seattle Seahawks have rallied behind two historically great defenses to win their two Super Bowls. The Legion of Boom kept offenses in a torture chamber, and the Dark Side suffocated them into oblivion.
Considering that, predictions weren't kind to the Indianapolis Colts when they had to start 44-year-old Philip Rivers in Week 15. If visiting Lumen Field wasn't challenging enough, the Colts would do so with Rivers making his first start in five years.
The Seahawks ultimately survived a surprisingly strong effort from the future Hall of Famer, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. That's why, now that he's happily retired again, he shared his honest thoughts on the Super Bowl-winning defense, pointing to Nick Emmanwori as the catalyst to their success.
Philip Rivers says Nick Emmanwori is the star of the Seattle Seahawks' defense
“As you’re going through the week, it really felt like the box was their strength, and you felt like (Emmanwori) was kind of the star,” Rivers told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “He’d be the kind of guy that I’d say, look out, he’ll wreck this game. And he can play. He’s as fast as anybody on the field, but he’s also as physical as any linebacker and any guy in the box.”
Emmanwori's versatility allows Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde to throw way too many different looks at the offense. They never know what's coming because he can line up almost everywhere on defense with the same level of success.
He can shut down the run inside the box as a linebacker, rush the passer on the outside, or play coverage like a defensive back. He was on the field for 765 snaps as a rookie, and he lined up at nickel corner, safety, linebacker, and outside corner. He's probably the most versatile defensive player in the league right now, and he's only going to get better.
Whether he's punching his way through the offense right at the line of scrimmage or hounding players down the middle of the field in passing plays, Emmanwori is a true unicorn. There's nothing he's not at least above-average at.
Not many players can affect all three levels of the defense, let alone a rookie. His rookie stats don't make sense: he piled up 30 run stops (the eighth-most per his position) and also led all players in his position in pass breakups (8), receptions allowed (56), and total pressures (18). He also had the most sacks by any safety (2.5). That's video game stuff.
Emmanwori has the football IQ, skills, and character to be the ultimate defensive quarterback, nay, better yet, conductor. He pulls the strings of the defense and is all over the field, regardless of down and distance or context.
It takes a lot to impress a true football savant like Philip Rivers, but we're running out of superlatives to describe what Emmanwori brings to the table.