Seattle Seahawks' "Dark Side" Defense Set to Challenge Injured 49ers in NFC Playoffs

Every dominant NFL defense has borne a memorable nickname, from the Vikings’ Purple People Eaters to the Seahawks’ own legendary Legion of Boom. While the current Seattle Seahawks defense hasn't reached those iconic heights, the team has embraced a new moniker: the "Dark Side." This defensive unit will play a pivotal role when the top-seeded Seahawks (14-3) host the sixth-seeded San Francisco 49ers (13-5) in Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff showdown.

"Throughout the season, we felt like we had an exceptional defense with special players, doing special things," said Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams. "We kept hearing about the ‘Legion of Boom’ and started thinking maybe we deserved our own name."

Seattle aggressively paced the league’s scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per game. Their standout performance came in the regular-season finale against the 49ers in Santa Clara, a game that decided the NFC West title and secured the Seahawks a first-round bye. The Hawks limited San Francisco to a mere 173 yards in a 13-3 victory, dropping the 49ers to the No. 6 playoff seed.

San Francisco responded on the road, defeating the defending champions Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 last Sunday to advance. Yet, the victory came at a significant cost: star tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will be sidelined alongside All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) for the upcoming clash with Seattle.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that linebacker Fred Warner, recently designated to return from injured reserve, might be ready for the NFC Championship Game but has not ruled out playing this weekend. Warner has been out since October with a fractured and dislocated right ankle. Additionally, safety Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) and linebacker Luke Gifford (quadriceps) missed recent practices.

Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams reflected on the 49ers’ injury challenges: "Kittle going down early in the Philadelphia game tested our resilience. Without that experience, it would've been easy for us to fold, but we've grown stronger."

The Seahawks’ lineup also faced minor setbacks in practice; offensive tackle Josh Jones missed both Tuesday and Wednesday sessions due to a knee issue, linebacker Tyrice Knight was limited Wednesday after missing Tuesday with a shoulder injury, and linebacker Ernest Jones sat out Wednesday with illness. Meanwhile, starting left tackle Charles Cross returned to full participation Tuesday after missing three regular-season games, but was limited Wednesday with knee and hamstring concerns.

This weekend marks Seattle’s first home playoff game since January 2021. Defensive lineman Jarran Reed emphasized the need for a strong home crowd: "We need it loud, man, so the Dark Side can come alive."

The two teams split their regular-season meetings, with the 49ers winning the opener 17-13 in Seattle, highlighted by Nick Bosa’s late strip sack and a go-ahead touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to tight end Jake Tonges in the closing minutes.

As the NFC divisional round approaches, the clash between Seattle’s "Dark Side" and an injury-riddled San Francisco squad promises to be a test of defensive grit and team resilience.