Richard Sherman isn’t the only member of the Seattle Seahawks defense that likes to speak his mind.
Defensive end Michael Bennett is also one of the team’s most outspoken players and he isn’t lacking for confidence in the aftermath of Seattle’s 35-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals to grab first place in the NFC West and prime position for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Seahawks defense has held opponents to 193.6 yards per game and 6.6 points per game on average over the last five weeks. Given the rule changes in the past many years to continually make things easier for offenses to score points, for a team to allow less than a touchdown a game over five weeks is a pretty staggering stretch.
It’s left Bennett feeling very strongly about how Seattle’s defense compares with the all-time greats.
“We’re the best defense to ever play football,” Bennett told Omar Ruiz of the NFL Network. “So when we play the way we play, the way we’re capable of playing, whatever [Ryan Lindley] did didn’t really matter. When we line up and play the way we are capable of playing, I don’t think anybody can play with us.”
The Seahawks lead the league in yards allowed per game (268.6) and points per game (16.5). Seattle holds a slim margin over the Detroit Lions in the points per game category. The Seahawks have allowed four fewer points this season entering the final week with Seattle playing St. Louis while Detroit has to play Green Bay.
If the Seahawks can maintain their edge in points per game allowed, they will become just the fourth team in league history to lead the league in yards and points allowed in consecutive seasons. The 1954-55 Cleveland Browns, 1969-70 Minnesota Vikings and 1985-86 Chicago Bears have also accomplished the feat. It would also be their third straight season leading the league in fewest points allowed.
If Seattle can win a second Super Bowl to pair with their statistical dominance, Bennett may be absolutely correct.