Seattle, WA

Insider: Seattle Seahawks could have league’s No. 1 defense

Published

5 months ago

June 29, 2025

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Insider: Seattle Seahawks could have league’s No. 1 defense

Heading into Year 2 of the Mike Macdonald era, the expectations are high for the Seattle Seahawks’ defense.

And for good reason.

After some initial growing pains last year, the unit evolved into one of the league’s best over the second half of the season. Over the final nine weeks, Seattle ranked fifth in scoring defense, fifth in defensive EPA and fourth in total defense.

And now, with nearly every key contributor returning, the Seahawks can build on the foundation they set during that second-half surge. On top of that, they bolstered the unit with more talent this offseason, adding four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency and ultra-athletic safety Nick Emmanwori in the second round of the NFL Draft.

So, just how good can this Seahawks defense be? The Athletic’s Derrik Klassen, co-host of The Athletic Football Show, thinks the sky is the limit.

“I think there’s a chance that they can be the best defense in the league,” Klassen said Friday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy.

Macdonald’s brilliance

The biggest reason for Klassen’s optimism centers on the 38-year-old Macdonald, who he termed as “one of the most brilliant play callers in the league” on the defensive side.

Macdonald quickly developed a reputation as a defensive mastermind in Baltimore, where he excelled during his two-year stint as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. Running an innovative scheme that flustered opponents, Macdonald’s Ravens finished third in scoring defense in 2022 and then made NFL history in 2023, becoming the first defense to lead the league in points allowed, sacks and takeaways.

And as a first-time head coach last fall – after inheriting a struggling Seattle defense that ranked 25th in scoring each of the past two seasons – Macdonald turned the Seahawks into top-five defense over the back half of 2024.

“It just feels like they are never in the wrong call,” Klassen said. “And that’s kind of a hard thing to quantify, but you watch other defenses, and every now and then you just feel like, ‘Ah man, they shouldn’t have blitzed there. Ah man, they really shouldn’t have ran man (coverage) there.’ It feels like Mike Macdonald does the opposite. … It just all feels like they have the right answers at the right time.

“There are very few defensive coordinators where it feels like they are on the front foot against the offense. And Mike Macdonald, to me, is one of those guys. I think he teaches the secondary very well, and then he brings his pressures in a way that is very smart.”

Strength in the trenches

Klassen likes the overall collection of talent on Seattle’s defense. But of all the position groups, he’s most excited to watch the defensive tackles.

The Seahawks’ interior defensive line is led by 31-year-old Leonard Williams, a two-time Pro Bowler who is coming off a sensational season that featured 11 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three pass deflections and a pick-six. Seattle also has 32-year-old veteran Jarran Reed, who totaled 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. And then there’s 2024 first-round pick Byron Murphy II, who could be poised for a step forward in Year 2.

“This defensive tackle unit might be insane,” Klassen said. “Leonard Williams, last year, obviously was one of the best defensive tackles in the league. He played at truly an All-Pro level. … And then I think there’s a chance that Byron Murphy really takes a step and is something similar to what Mike Macdonald had with (second-team All-Pro) Justin Madubuike in Baltimore.

“There are obviously some other good players on the defense. … But I really think that defensive tackle room, if this is the best defense in the league, it’s gonna be because of those guys.”

Listen to the full conversation with The Athletic’s Derrik Klassen at this link or in the audio player at the bottom of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Seattle Seahawks news and analysis

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• NFC West Insider: Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp ‘can still play’

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Seattle, WA

Shaheed sparks Seattle Seahawks with 100-yard kick return TD

Published

9 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Shaheed sparks Seattle Seahawks with 100-yard kick return TD

On a day when the Seattle Seahawks’ offense was sputtering, Rashid Shaheed provided a major spark on special teams.

Shaheed returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a 100-yard touchdown, giving Seattle a 13-6 lead over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

HOUSE CALL ON THE RETURN!!! Rashid Sha-Speed Demon 😈#ProBowlVote + @RashidShaheed
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/TOjKXwg1Iq
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025
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It came in Shaheed’s fifth game with the Seahawks, who acquired him from the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 4 at the NFL’s trade deadline.

It was the first career kick return touchdown for Shaheed, who has 47 career kick returns over his four NFL seasons. He had two punt return TDs with the Saints – one in 2023 and another in 2024.

Seattle’s last kick return TD was Laviska Shenault Jr.’s 97-yarder against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 of 2024.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• They’re back: Seattle Seahawks activate Love, Reed off IR
• Preview: Seahawks, Falcons headed in opposite directions
• Huard: This is the best defensive front in Seattle Seahawks history
• Stacy Rost: How many wins will it take for an NFC West crown?
• Where Seattle Seahawks’ defense ranks among league’s best

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Seattle, WA

Kane scores No. 497 to lead Wings to a 4-3 victory in Seattle

Published

21 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Kane scores No. 497 to lead Wings to a 4-3 victory in Seattle

The first two draft picks in the 2007 Entry Draft carried the Detroit Red Wings to 4-3 victory Saturday in Seattle.

Patrick Kane, who went No. 1 overall to Chicago, scored the winner, after James van Riemsdyk (who was picked by Philadelphia) tied the score late in the second period.

Kane is inching closer to significant milestones and that’s a good thing for the Wings. Kane’s goal at 17 minutes, 31 seconds of the third period Saturday broke the tie.

Kane’s fifth goal, and second goal in two games, was goal No. 497 in his illustrious career. Alex DeBrincat carried the puck into the zone and found Kane in the slot, where Kane wristed a shot past goaltender Joey Daccord.

“It’s been the same for the 20 years I’ve known him,” said van Riemsdyk of Kane’s clutch goal to FDSN. “When the game is on the line, he’s the guy you want the puck on his stick. He usually comes through. A word class shot there and a big two points for us.”

Another key goal came from van Riemsdyk, who tied the score 3-3 with 28 seconds left in the second period. It was van Riemsdyk’s third consecutive game with a goal, and his fifth goal in six games (six goals overall).

Thanks to a bad Seattle pinch defensively van Riemsdyk found himself on a two-on-one rush. Using Michael Rasmussen as a decoy, van Riemsdyk kept the puck and wristed a shot past Daccord.

“Big goal for our team to score and make it a 3-3 game,” Kane told reporters of van Riemsdyk’s goal. “It settled everything down.”

Goaltender John Gibson stopped 24 shots to earn the victory. The Wings (15-11-3) moved to 1-0-1 on this six-game trip, which next goes Monday to Vancouver.

BOX SCORE: Red Wings 4, Kraken 3

Dylan Larkin left Saturday’s game midway in the second period after taking a redirected shot to the left side of his face. Larkin was clutching the side of his face as he slowly skated off the ice, immediately heading to the locker room.

But Larkin returned to start the third period with a facial shield — and what appeared to be a puffy cheek and lip.

“He’s the heartbeat of the team,” van Riemsdyk said. “What he brings, there was no doubt he’d make it back out for us. That’s the kind of warrior he is.”

Seattle took its first lead of the game on Chandler Stephenson’s fifth goal, at 12:45. Adam Larsson’s shot from the point glanced off Stephenson in the slot, and off Gibson’s head and into the net, giving Seattle a 3-2 lead.

Emmitt Finnie (power play, sixth goal) and Andrew Copp (second goal) added Wings goals. Brandon Montour (sixth), Adam Larsson (second) and Chandler Stephenson (fifth) countered for Seattle.

“The encouraging thing is we got out of a bit of a rut in the second period,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan told reporters afterward. “The disturbing part is why are we in that rut? We can play better defensively than we did (in the second period). We challenged the group between periods and they did.”

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan

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Seattle, WA

West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, school open houses, much more for your Saturday

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Press Room

West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, school open houses, much more for your Saturday

(Latest image from Junction traffic cam – remember Alaska will be closed east of here this pm)

Happy Saturday! We have another two-part event list – first part is a long list of seasonal happenings from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

SANTA PHOTOS AND PANCAKES: Santa photos are part of what you’ll find at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, 7 am-11 am December 6th at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – details and tickets here. (If you miss your $8 online ticket, it’s only $10/door, youngest kids eat free;) Bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!

SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am Saturday and Sunday mornings in December, DIY photos with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank.

HOLIDAY SWAP SHOP: Bring, and get, toys at this swap, 9 am-noon at Keller Williams Realty (5446 California SW), presented by the Pearsall Team.

HOLIDAY GIFT POP-UP: 9 am-6 pm, handcrafted creations for sale. (4002 39th SW)

BAKE & CRAFT SALE AT THE KENNEY: Handmade and homemade items for sale, 10 am-4 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SHOP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER, BENEFIT STUDENTS: Part of the proceeds at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) 10 am-5 pm today will benefit WSHS Cross Country.

VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm each day, self-guided tour of Vashon artists’ studios. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)

PICS WITH SANTA AT HOLIDAY FOOD-DRIVE PARTY: 10 am-noon party at 5446 California SW – bring food and/or $ for West Seattle Food Bank.

FREE PET PICS WITH SANTA: 10 am-noon at Windermere in The Junction. (4526 California SW)

SANTA PHOTOS AND TOY SWAP: 10 am-1 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau), Santa photos by donation, toy swap open to all (and accepting dropoffs in advance), more info here.

WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 10 am-6 pm today, more info here. (9042 31st SW)

ARTIST POP-UP AT CAPERS HOME: 11 am-4 pm, you’ll find artists including Diane Kappa (WSB sponsor) at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; also a WSB sponsor).

RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale this weekend, featuring artists who work with clay. Hours today are 11 am-7 pm. (4208 SW 100th)

DIY SANTA PICS: 11 am-2 pm at John L. Scott in The Junction. Free; “well-behaved pets welcome.” (4445 California SW)

SANTA AT OUNCES: Free pics with the jolly ol’ fella 1-4 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

TOYS FOR TOTS AT SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29: Drop off new, unwrapped toy(s) at Station 29 (2139 Ferry Avenue SW) between 2 and 4 pm.

JUNCTION NIGHT MARKET: Hometown Holidays Night Market on tree-lighting night in The Junction. See vendor list here! 4 to 8 pm.

JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING AND PERFORMANCES: Here’s the schedule for what’s happening besides the Night Market – remember that SW Alaska is closed east of California SW:

4:00 PM Festival begins. Night Market is open
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes

HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT: Pearsall Properties presents live performances at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) 5 pm-8 pm.

CHRISTMAS TREES: As noted here, every place that sells them in West Seattle is up and running! Scroll through the Holiday Guide any time for the list.

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, times vary. Tickets and info here.

(Friday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)

And here are the non-holiday-season events for today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

‘KING TIDE’: 7:29 am, 12.9 feet – highest (predicted) high tide of the month; weather conditions can push it higher.

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Launch your weekend with a community run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.

INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am, prospective families are invited to visit Explorer West. RSVP here if you can, (10015 28th SW; WSB sponsor)

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: If you’re looking for an elementary school, come find out about Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) during today’s open house, 10 am-noon.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.

WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is scheduled to continue today, 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)

THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Learn about the cooperative elementary school and join current families for play, 10 am-noon. (10300 28th SW)

MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: In session again this week, 10:30 am, info in our calendar listing.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)

GRIEFSHARE: Newest session continues, 10:30 am at Grace Church, no charge (10323 28th SW)

FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)

TALK WITH YOUR ANIMALS: Yes, you can! Find out how during this 11 am class at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW and SW Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus monthly session, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:

The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.

SUPER SMASH SATURDAYS: 1-10 pm at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs).

FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)

WRECK THE HALLS ROLLER DERBY: 5 pm pre-show, 6 pm roller-derby exhibition bout with Rainier Roller Riot and Bellingham Roller Betties’ Grit Pit, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center) – tickets here.

‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse offers something different this holiday season – the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 7:30 pm curtain; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)

COMMUNITY PAGEANT AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, drag pageant for Miss, Ms., Mr., and Mx. Community – tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

NERDLESQUE: 7:30 pm “burlesque for nerds” show with sci-fi theme, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 18+, tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT MR. B’S: 8 pm, Leafminer and Noe Navarro at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), no cover.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Flip side of king tides is low-low tides, and tonight at 11:43 pm the tide will be out to 3.8 feet!

Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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