Hawks D Against the Lambs

[MontanaHawk05]

Mike knows how to blitz. We'll get our licks in.

 

[NW_Seahawks_fan]

Meh, the Rams are the only team that lights up this defense. Also, they beat the Rams 2 of 3 and should have had a clean sweep.

How they played the Rams has nothing to do with how they will play the Pats.

Seems to me that I recall Tampa lightning up our D pretty efficiently not long ago...

It's not impossible to torch our D or any D. It's just very difficult and takes flawless execution and good strategic game planning. I think we need to draft a few young hungry LB/S types for next year.

 

[NoGain]

Our pass rush was lacking against the Rams. As good as a D as we are upfront, we don't have an elite pass rusher. We didn't have that guy who was good enough and fast enough to beat the guy in front of him and get to Stafford, or at least draw more attention to himself so that someone else could. Of course, elite pass rushers don't grow on trees, but if we have the opportunity to get one, we should be ready to jump. Imagine if MM and our D had a guy like that on our squad?

Fortunately, I think we can get to Maye with what we've got and make his life miserable, especially if we throw a lot of different looks at him. I really think the Pats have their hands full with our D. They're not the Rams.

 

[hox]

The Rams have a very good OL.... I believe it's top 5 in the league. Furthermore, their rbs are good blockers. With that said, Nwosu and DLaw were within a hair's reach of getting to Stafford. Stafford also has a very quick release and having two big WRs can help with the short quick passes. It's a well schemed offense. The score doesn't reflect it but the defense played well enough. Not their best but sometimes you have to credit your opponents strength. Not many teams have held the Rams under 30 points. The Seahawks have done that 2 of the 3 times facing them this season.

Their entire protection scheme is solid. Their backs and TEs are good at blitz pick up too.

 

[glenwo2]

Meh, the Rams are the only team that lights up this defense. Also, they beat the Rams 2 of 3 and should have had a clean sweep.

How they played the Rams has nothing to do with how they will play the Pats.

You are 1000% correct.

The Rams are always going to be the "Final Boss" of our division no matter what (or until Stafford retires).

As far as the Patriots go, this upcoming game in 2 weeks will show that ANY team from the AFC (not just the Pats) don't even belong on the same field with the Hawks.

 

[glenwo2]

For as rough as it was our D did hold them scoreless for all of the 4th quarter and some change. I know they could have kicked a field goal but they didn’t and we stopped them. And there is the first game this season.

Macdonald also said he saw them do new things in the game, we will learn from that.

A lot of players and coaches admitted they could have executed better, so another off season of learning and improving will help.

Lastly, getting even more talent through trades, signings and the draft will help too.

I think we are poised to be even better next year and largely due to the Rams and how good they are. Iron sharpens iron and all that.

Go Hawks!

There will come a point where there won't be anything left to be "new" so I fully expect MM to have the team ready the next time we face them (next season).

 

[Bobblehead]

Yet they lost twice..... Number one offense.. and we had to play them three times.... Their salary cap is gonna become a cluster F..... wait till "I cant afford a house in LA on 450k a year PUCA" needs his money

I was reading they are in pretty good shape as far as expendable money is... as are the Seahawks.. 9ers, not so much

Base Salary Cap: $295,500,000​

Team	Cap Space	Effective Cap Space	#	Active Cap Spending	Dead Money
Titans	$93,513,641	$81,194,547	50	$219,646,308	$535,658
Raiders	$81,303,251	$66,771,454	49	$189,413,472	$34,812,266
Chargers	$80,560,235	$76,255,260	51	$217,963,367	$478,177
Seahawks	$71,879,961	$61,609,330	43	$238,166,022	$483,723
Jets	$66,338,070	$50,453,562	56	$167,097,645	$75,621,438
Commanders	$63,414,851	$56,670,696	52	$255,706,956	$248,312
Bengals	$46,937,024	$39,810,458	62	$253,492,416	$4,748,222
Rams	$43,131,522	$27,722,064	42	$257,303,212	$700,524
Steelers	$37,604,170	$31,968,123	60	$266,868,786	$7,934,338
Patriots	$31,248,655	$26,257,618	50	$290,735,831	$20,790,382
Cardinals	$30,418,204	$18,893,811	61	$274,012,155	$3,934,104
Broncos	$27,453,087	$15,451,310	42	$267,462,391	$1,218,922
Colts	$26,913,489	$24,899,759	60	$268,433,497	$2,093,644
49ers	$23,327,521	$18,930,304	61	$269,621,623	$21,863,741
Falcons	$17,415,602	$14,706,634	50	$277,218,339	$2,235,354
Buccaneers	$16,782,210	$11,221,758	52	$293,252,073	$255,591
Ravens	$13,921,916	$5,248,945	48	$279,554,158	$12,262,715
Eagles	$10,521,332	$5,427,384	65	$250,716,635	$44,804,213
Panthers	$9,147,004	$4,262,110	55	$290,819,573	$9,341,094
Giants	$1,741,134	($8,358,166)	57	$294,889,591	$216,804
Packers	($10,689,599)	($12,480,367)	66	$297,096,029	$17,165,048
Bills	($13,969,001)	($18,073,061)	61	$310,227,823	$432,166
Texans	($14,188,776)	($20,027,928)	58	$292,766,079	$20,922,780
Lions	($16,715,969)	($21,382,046)	52	$327,069,935	$4,358,290
Bears	($17,396,354)	($21,588,768)	55	$316,736,069	$542,993
Saints	($20,829,296)	($28,430,960)	66	$260,730,600	$65,798,682
Jaguars	($21,993,434)	($24,478,003)	60	$279,610,798	$43,863,713
Browns	($23,978,337)	($36,251,795)	56	$307,855,677	$31,763,848
Dolphins	($30,321,554)	($37,654,928)	53	$291,541,923	$35,500,637
Cowboys	($39,400,349)	($46,905,573)	54	$333,419,250	$24,344,177
Vikings	($48,943,588)	($53,972,597)	54	$351,724,552	$5,608,074
Chiefs	($62,386,872)	($69,781,771)	51	$358,006,941	$215,641

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[glenwo2]

13 personnel is a bitch. Their 10 foot tall TE was carving us alive outside of that drop. Watching the game yesterday I saw Spoon inexplicably falling down the entire game. That 19 yard running play we looked so bad I was like “is this really our defense?”

Not a good game nor look.

The good news is I have faith in these men and coaches. When they don’t play well, they always bounce back the next game and shine.

What’s the next game?

Oh that’s right. The Super Bowl.

Good luck Patriots. Ya gonna need it.

They also owe Sammy D a bounce-back performance as well.

Sam picked the Defense up against the Rams and now it's their turn to return the favor and crush Drake Maye in 2 weeks.

 

[Ozzy]

I think Macdonald is still assembling his pieces and doesn't have everything he wants yet. Our dline has been awesome but I still think he probably wants an end who can take a game over and an upgrade on the edge is coming next year. Probably another corner too.

 

[evergreen]

We shut them down the whole second half the first time. Just shows how good they are. I felt they were better than the 9ers or packers were before. Rams Seahawks was the highest DVOA game of the last 45 years! #1 vs. #2.

 

[MoldyPurpleMayo]

Our pass rush was lacking against the Rams. As good as a D as we are upfront, we don't have an elite pass rusher. We didn't have that guy who was good enough and fast enough to beat the guy in front of him and get to Stafford, or at least draw more attention to himself so that someone else could. Of course, elite pass rushers don't grow on trees, but if we have the opportunity to get one, we should be ready to jump. Imagine if MM and our D had a guy like that on our squad?

I think people are forgetting Rylie Mills is on the team and when he actually gets his opportunities, he'll remind everyone why he was a HUGE part of that ND defense, and why the Hawks were so adamant on getting him

 

[hox]

I think Macdonald is still assembling his pieces and doesn't have everything he wants yet. Our dline has been awesome but I still think he probably wants an end who can take a game over and an upgrade on the edge is coming next year. Probably another corner too.

First name Maxx. Last name Crosby.

Raiders turned down Schneiders offer before this season and at the deadline, but he won't give up trying again.

Raiders need to blow it all up and rebuild.

 

[AROS]

If we land Maxx get ready for the dynasty.

 

[NoGain]

First name Maxx. Last name Crosby.

Raiders turned down Schneiders offer before this season and at the deadline, but he won't give up trying again.

Raiders need to blow it all up and rebuild.

If you could just get three great years out of him that would be awesome. I'd give the Raiders our first rounder this spring and a second rounder the following draft for him, or something like that.

 

[chris98251]

Next Lawrence Taylor is what I want. I will settle for a Bruce Smith.

 

[Optimus25]

To me this is sacks. We just cannot EVER get to Stafford.

Look at how whenever Darnold got sacked it was virtually a guaranteed drive killer.

Mix in 2-3 sacks and you can really start putting him in tougher spots.

 

[LeveeBreak]

Stafford did this to everybody this year to be fair. I think it's as good an offense as I've ever seen in the NFL.

Except that he didn't. Below are Staffords stats against the Falcons and Panthers:

Falcons: QBR 41.1, PR 64.5

Panthers (Game 1): QBR 25.3, PR 85.9
Panthers (Game 2): QBR 48.8, PR 93.8

Against the Falcons


Against the Panthers
Nov 30, 2025


Jan 10, 2026



Hawks (Game 2): QBR 127.6, PR 45.4
Hawks (NFCCG): QBR 110.7, PR 89.9


Defensive Schemes

Atlanta Falcons: Aggressive Blitzing & Man Coverage
The Falcons featured the NFL's second-highest blitz rate at 35.4%. This strategy aimed to generate pressure by sending extra rushers, often leaving their defensive backs in one-on-one coverage. However, Stafford was exceptional against the blitz in most games, recording a league-best 126.1 passer rating when blitzed.

Carolina Panthers: Four-Man Rush & Zone Coverage
The Panthers employed a more conventional approach, generating pressure with their front four defensive linemen and dropping extra players into coverage, particularly zone coverage. Their success against Stafford was largely due to forcing timely turnovers (three in one game) rather than consistent pressure from the blitz.

Seattle Seahawks: Coverage Shells & Minimal Blitzing
The Seahawks utilized a defense centered on complex coverage schemes with two-high safeties and a low blitz rate. They aimed to limit explosive plays by confusing the quarterback pre-snap and relying on their talented secondary and defensive line to prevent both the run and deep passes, rather than sending extra rushers.

2025 NFL Defensive Rankings

Team	Total Defense Rank (Yds)	Avg. Yards Allowed	Points Allowed Rank	Avg. Points Allowed
Seattle Seahawks	6th	285.9	1st	17.2
Carolina Panthers	16th	327.2	15th	22.4
Atlanta Falcons	15th	326.6	19th	23.6

Both Carolina and Atlanta were middling D's, but challenged Stafford significantly. Hawks players across the board posess superior skills in just about all comparisons. Their schemes against Stafford weren't that similar, with the Falcons utilizing heavy blitz and Panthers using an aggressive zone. Ultimately, the Falcons and Panthers created more high-risk, high-reward situations through aggressive plays, which led to effective pressure and game-changing turnovers.

The Hawks relied on complex, but risk-averse schemes to try and confuse Stafford. I think Stafford processes the complexity faster than about anyone who's played the game. If he has an achiles, it's tight coverages when pressured as he's prone to throw pics (and I assume gets into his head more than normal). Our scheme tends to play off ball, keep it in front of us, and tackle exceptionally.

This is why I think Morris would be good to bring in. He's an excellent DC with insights on how to scheme against McVay. He'll probably get hired into one of the new DC openings...but he'd be worth a look in some capacity.

 

[hawkfan68]

Except that he didn't. Below are Staffords stats against the Falcons and Panthers:

Falcons: QBR 41.1, PR 64.5

Panthers (Game 1): QBR 25.3, PR 85.9
Panthers (Game 2): QBR 48.8, PR 93.8

Against the Falcons
View attachment 78069

Against the Panthers
Nov 30, 2025
View attachment 78070

Jan 10, 2026
View attachment 78071


Hawks (Game 2): QBR 127.6, PR 45.4
Hawks (NFCCG): QBR 110.7, PR 89.9


Defensive Schemes

Atlanta Falcons: Aggressive Blitzing & Man Coverage
The Falcons featured the NFL's second-highest blitz rate at 35.4%. This strategy aimed to generate pressure by sending extra rushers, often leaving their defensive backs in one-on-one coverage. However, Stafford was exceptional against the blitz in most games, recording a league-best 126.1 passer rating when blitzed.

Carolina Panthers: Four-Man Rush & Zone Coverage
The Panthers employed a more conventional approach, generating pressure with their front four defensive linemen and dropping extra players into coverage, particularly zone coverage. Their success against Stafford was largely due to forcing timely turnovers (three in one game) rather than consistent pressure from the blitz.

Seattle Seahawks: Coverage Shells & Minimal Blitzing
The Seahawks utilized a defense centered on complex coverage schemes with two-high safeties and a low blitz rate. They aimed to limit explosive plays by confusing the quarterback pre-snap and relying on their talented secondary and defensive line to prevent both the run and deep passes, rather than sending extra rushers.

2025 NFL Defensive Rankings

Team	Total Defense Rank (Yds)	Avg. Yards Allowed	Points Allowed Rank	Avg. Points Allowed
Seattle Seahawks	6th	285.9	1st	17.2
Carolina Panthers	16th	327.2	15th	22.4
Atlanta Falcons	15th	326.6	19th	23.6

Both Carolina and Atlanta were middling D's, but challenged Stafford significantly. Hawks players across the board posess superior skills in just about all comparisons. Their schemes against Stafford weren't that similar, with the Falcons utilizing heavy blitz and Panthers using an aggressive zone. Ultimately, the Falcons and Panthers created more high-risk, high-reward situations through aggressive plays, which led to effective pressure and game-changing turnovers.

The Hawks relied on complex, but risk-averse schemes to try and confuse Stafford. I think Stafford processes the complexity faster than about anyone who's played the game. If he has an achiles, it's tight coverages when pressured as he's prone to throw pics (and I assume gets into his head more than normal). Our scheme tends to play off ball, keep it in front of us, and tackle exceptionally.

This is why I think Morris would be good to bring in. He's an excellent DC with insights on how to scheme against McVay. He'll probably get hired into one of the new DC openings...but he'd be worth a look in some capacity.

Kevin Dotson was out for the Atlanta game. He is a key member who holds their OL together. Yeah it's one player but it's very significant. Also, the Falcons have James Pearce who is a terrific pass rusher.

 

[hox]

This is why I think Morris would be good to bring in. He's an excellent DC with insights on how to scheme against McVay. He'll probably get hired into one of the new DC openings...but he'd be worth a look in some capacity.

Morris might have some additional insight based on familiarity. But I think the key differences in the Falcons game was the 3 turnovers, and the 3 sacks. They were able to generate pressure which forced Stafford into making mistakes.

So bottom line, I think it still comes down to pressure, and not necessarily an exotic scheme.

 

[Fresno Hawk]

This only year 2, it usually takes 3 years before a defense starts to take shape. The D will only get better. I do agree we are missing 1 more piece on the D line. I also think we could use another LB. But let's not forget even the LOB had a few games where they gave up points. Stafford is one of the last great pocket passers still in the league.