Amid the euphoria of surviving another instant classic against the Los Angeles Rams and reaching Super Bowl LX, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald couldn’t help but notice his usually dominant defense had a formation problem, an issue that led to giving up 479 yards and offering next opponents the New England Patriots hope when the Vince Lombardi Trophy is at stake in less than two weeks.
Macdonald watched as the Rams routinely produced big plays through the air in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 25. Rams quarterback and potential NFL MVP Matthew Stafford gashed the Seattle pass defense for 374 yards and three touchdowns, with many of those gains coming out of one particular formation the Seahawks had trouble figuring out.
It was “12” personnel, one running back and two tight ends, that gave Macdonald’s defense so many problems during Seattle’s 31-27 win at Lumen Field. Macdonald credited Rams head coach Sean McVay with using “12 personnel more than usual,” according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
The latter cited TruMedia Sports revealing the Rams’ “regular-season rate was 9.6% (fourth-lowest in the NFL). In their first two playoff games, it was 4.7%. Last night: 22.4%.”
Per @TruMediaSports, their regular-season rate was 9.6% (fourth-lowest in the NFL). In their first two playoff games, it was 4.7%.
Last night: 22.4%.
Fortunately, a narrative-changing performance from Stafford’s opposite number Sam Darnold helped the Seahawks get over the line. Yet, Macdonald will be keenly aware of the need to find an adjustment to the defense’s problem with one-back and two-tight end formations, in case the Patriots take too much encouragement from the tape.
It helps the process of adjusting started in earnest for Macdonald and his players against the Rams.
Mike Macdonald Changed Defensive Plan to Beat Rams
Macdonald didn’t stand still while the Rams were shredding an otherwise formidable secondary. Nor did he seek the comfort of doubling down on the familiar schemes that have served the Seahawks so well defensively this season.
The 38-year-old could hardly do that after Rams wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua began feasting. Nacua got the pattern started by getting free for this 44-yard gain in the opening quarter.
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This play shows why 12 personnel hurt the Seahawks. It wasn’t the grouping of players, but more how the Rams deployed them.
Specifically, McVay routinely stretched the defense by using 12 personnel to create spread-set looks. Like when tight end Davis Allen (87) split out as a wide receiver on the side away from Nacua.
Allen’s fellow tight end Colby Parkinson (84) began in the backfield, but he and running back Kyren Williams released on short-range routes. They drew defenders underneath, leaving three of the four deep defensive backs isolated in one-on-one matchups.
Spreading out the Seahawks from this formation became a common theme, and Macdonald needed an answer. He got it by increasing pressure on Stafford.
Macdonald explained to reporters, “we weren’t covering very well so trying to find some solutions in the back end, and so there is a trade-off when you do, and the timing of how you do it. They had a great game plan. They did some things on second down they hadn’t done all season and we had to come up with some new stuff. Frankly they were really hurting us on second downs. We had to adjust,” per Seahawks.com.
Dialling up the blitz worked, but Macdonald will need a few other adjustments becauase the Patriots are equipped to emulate the Rams’ approach.
Patriots Can Give Seahawks’ Defense a Similar Problem
The Patriots have the personnel to give the Seahawks a similar problem at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, February 8. A problem like the one the Rams created by again splitting tight ends Allen and Parkinson out wide, leaving Adams as the lone receiver on the other side.
Sending Williams toward the sideline nearest Adams allowed the latter to run inside against single coverage and burn the Seahawks across the middle for 23 yards.
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It’s not a stretch to imagine the Patriots using a similar concept when they have the ideal personnel. Players like veteran tight-end duo Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, along with capable pass-catching backs Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson.
Moving these players around to get big-play receivers Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte open could cause the Seahawks more problems. Unless Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde find more answers to facing 12 personnel.
Mike Macdonald Reveals Seahawks Defense Has Formation Problem