The 10 Best NFL Defenses Over the Last Decade
7. 2013 Seattle Seahawks
Enter the Legion of Boom.
Among all defenses from the past 10 NFL seasons, the 2013 Seahawks rank in the top 10 in both points and yards allowed per game, as well as total takeaways.
| Category | Value | 2006-15 NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Allowed per Game | 14.4 | 5th |
| Yards Allowed Per Game | 273.6 | 9th |
| Takeaways | 39 | T-7th |
Seattle had forced multiple turnovers in 12 regular season games. Four members of their secondary – the self-proclaimed Legion of Boom – combined for 20 interceptions.
| Player | Interceptions | 2013 NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Sherman | 8 | 1st |
| Earl Thomas | 5 | T-5th |
| Byron Maxwell | 4 | T-11th |
| Kam Chancellor | 3 | T-32nd |
The Seahawks made a point of boosting their pass rush in the offseason prior to 2013 and it paid off, with newcomers Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril combining for 16.5 sacks during their first year as Seahawks. With the pass rush disrupting opposing quarterbacks and the Legion of Boom lurking downfield, Seattle gave up 200 or more passing yards only five times all season.
