The Seattle Seahawks’ defense took the field one final time in 2024, helping the team defeat the Los Angeles Rams 30-25 in Sunday’s Week 18 finale. Mike Macdonald’s unit forced Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo into one turnover, and sacked him three times. Pro Football Focus was especially impressed with the following Seahawks, their three highest-graded players on defense from Sunday.
The highest-graded Seahawks in Week 18 vs the Rams:
🥇 Artie Burns – 90.2
🥈 AJ Barner – 89.8
🥉 Noah Fant – 82.5
🏅 Geno Smith – 81.7
🏅 Ernest Jones – 77.9 pic.twitter.com/2zAcCediRe— PFF SEA Seahawks (@PFF_Seahawks) January 6, 2025
Artie Burns | 90.2
Veteran defensive back Artie Burns returned after a multi-month absence to earn a elite defensive grade from PFF. Burns totaled two quarterback pressures as a blitzer, and also only allowed two receptions on four receiving targets for 22 yards. The versatile, experienced defender also had a pass breakup.
Ernest Jones IV | 77.9
Off-ball linebacker Ernest Jones IV was his usual dominant self. Jones’ 77.9 overall defensive grade was his second-highest with the Seahawks this season. The versatile ‘backer accumulated nine tackles, two stops, and two pressures. He’ll now eye a contract extension in the offseason.
Devon Witherspoon | 75.7
Devon Witherspoon was everywhere, playing his usual do-it-all role for Macdonald’s stingy defense. The former No. 5 overall selection matched a season-high eight tackles and also broke up two passes. Witherspoon is the heartbeat of the Seahawks defense, and helped Seattle reach 10 victories for the first time since 2020.
