Injuries to Seahawks D-line could prove costly in prime-time bout with Lions

The Seattle Seahawks are off to a strong start. Seattle sits atop the NFC West entering week four with a 3-0 record.

The Seahawks have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season. That is largely thanks to first-year head coach Mike McDonald’s reworked defense. 

Two key contributors to the relentless Seattle defense — Leonard Williams and rookie Byron Murphy II — suffered injuries in the Seahawks’ Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Williams exited with an injury to his midsection. Murphy II left the game after he suffered a hamstring injury. There are currently no updates or timetable for either player’s return.

As pass-rushers, Murphy II and Williams are essential to the Seahawks’ success as a pass-defense unit. Williams has been credited with six tackles, eight quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and 11 pressures in three games. For his part, Murphy II has been credited with four solo tackles, one sack, six QB hurries and seven pressures.  

Seattle’s defense has shown to have one weakness so far this season, against running plays. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, their Week 4 opponent, the Detroit Lions possess the fourth-best rushing and overall offense on an average yards per game basis.

Ranking in the middle of the pack, Seattle has the 15th-best rush defense. Combine an average-at-best rush defense with injuries to two of the team’s starting defensive linemen and that is a bad recipe for the Seahawks.

If the Seahawks field a diminished pass-rush in their “Monday Night Football” matchup, that could allow Lions quarterback Jared Goff to get into a rhythm. Goff in rhythm is dangerous and the Lions have a plethora of receiving targets, all of whom are capable of carving up any defense. Should Goff be given time to throw, the Seahawks’ secondary could buckle.

Keeping the Lions offense one-dimensional is one of the keys to a Seahawks victory. This has been Seattle’s recipe for success this season. The offense gives the team an early lead which forces the opponent to the air. With the opponent trying to move the ball more aggressively through the air, all the Seahawks’ defensive resources can be put toward defending the pass. Essentially daring the other team to put the ball in a running back’s hands.

This strategy only works with a strong pass-rush, though. If the opposing quarterback is allowed to make reads and find a receiver on his own time, this doesn’t work. With Williams and Murphy II’s availability on Monday night in limbo, Seattle’s other pass-rushers may have fewer opportunities.

Linebackers Boye Mafe and Tyrel Dodson have been standout performers through three games. The duo has a combined 35 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble.

Mafe and Dodson are often used to rush the quarterback. These two are lethal when utilized in blitz packages. For the linebacker blitzes to work, gaps need to be opened. That is where Williams and Murphy II come in. 

Williams and Murphy II are major threats to any quarterback and the offensive line must pay attention to them. That leaves gaps for Mafe and Dodson to sprint through, often leaving them with a clear shot at the quarterback. Which encourages tight ends and running backs to stay home and block the rushing linebackers.

If Williams and/or Murphy II miss “Monday Night Football” versus the Lions, the Seahawks defense could be in for a long night.