Consistency on defense is the Seahawks key to victory in 2023
The Seahawks surprised the NFL in 2022 by finishing 9-8 and earning a spot in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Despite being a season that exceeded expectations, it was far from perfect. Consistency is what the team was missing and it will be a pivotal component that will decide whether their 2023 season is a success or not.
Seattle started 6-4 before their BYE week in week 11. In those 10 games, they outscored their opponents 257 to 241 total points. Following the BYE, they went 3-5 and were outscored by opponents 160 to 150. Four of those eight losses came in an incredibly embarrassing fashion, as the Seahawks were swept by the worst division in football—the NFC South. All four of those losses were within one score of seven points or less.
Seattle's issue with consistency heavily relies on the defense's shoulders. Tackling has been a huge issue and the defensive line has needed serious upgrades for a few years now.
Seahawks can win big in 2023 if the defense is consistently good
Last season, the Seahawks were third in missed tackles in the league with 794 according to statmuse.com. They also ranked third in rushing yards allowed (2,554) and seventh in total years allowed (6,149). In each of the NFC South matches that they lost, the lowest amount of rushing yards they allowed in a game was 161 yards.
This offseason, the Seahawks made multiple moves to help improve their defense. They signed DE Dre'Mont Jones, LB Bobby Wagner, S Julian Love, DT Jarran Reed, and LB Devin Bush. Additionally, they added CB Devon Witherspoon, LB Derick Hall, DT Cameron Young, DE Mike Morris, and S Jerrick Reed II in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Pete Carroll when asked if the Witherspoon pick signals them going back to old defensive scheme after big change last year: "If you're asking me if we're making a big change? No, we're just going to be better. We're just going to play better."
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) April 28, 2023
Next. 3 current Seahawks that were winners during the 2023 NFL draft. dark
The secondary certainly isn't near as big of an issue as the defensive line is for Seattle. They drafted corners Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant in last year's draft and retained safety Quandre Diggs. They also have Jamal Adams but his health remains in question. Basically, whether the defense can stop the run or not will be the make or break of the Seahawks' 2023 season.