For the third consecutive game, the Seattle Seahawks have limited their opponents to fewer than 150 net passing yards. While Bo Nix and Jacoby Brissett couldn’t surpass the 150-yard mark before factoring in sack losses, Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle combined for 186 passing yards but were sacked six times for a loss of 46 yards, leaving their net passing total at 140 yards for the day.
What does this mean for the 3-0 Seahawks? A bit of history. According to NFL researcher Dante Koplowitz-Fleming, Seattle’s achievement hasn’t been seen since the legendary ‘Steel Curtain’ days of the 1970s. The specific stat—being 3-0 while holding opponents under 150 net passing yards—raises curiosity about how many teams have accomplished this feat in the first three weeks of a season, regardless of their record. Regardless, it’s a far better stat than the negative ones Seattle has posted in recent years.
A look at Pro Football Reference reveals that the 1979 Steelers faced Jim Hart (St. Louis Cardinals), Dan Pastorini and Gifford Nielsen (Houston Oilers), and Steve Grogan (New England Patriots) during their 3-0 stretch. While Nielsen is less familiar, the other quarterbacks were seasoned starters with various accolades. By comparison, the rookie Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett, and the Skylar Thompson/Tim Boyle duo don’t quite measure up, even when adjusting for differences between eras.
The next few weeks, which feature matchups against the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Buffalo Bills, will reveal more about Seattle’s pass defense. But for now, they’re shutting down limited quarterbacks and passing attacks far more effectively than recent Seahawks defenses.