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Seahawks' 'Dark Side' turns team into NFC West power
Summary
Seattle's defense, nicknamed the 'Dark Side,' has grown into a dominant front seven after a series of signings, drafts and coaching changes, and the Seahawks will host the San Francisco 49ers in a divisional-round playoff game at Lumen Field.
Content
The Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers in a divisional-round playoff game at Lumen Field, a matchup that will be only their third postseason meeting since 2010. The current storyline centers on Seattle's defense, which has been rebuilt through targeted signings, draft picks and a new coaching voice. That unit, often called the "Dark Side," features multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro contributors and is credited with making Seattle a top defensive team this season. The 49ers enter the game with notable injuries on their defense, including the absence of Nick Bosa and uncertainty around Fred Warner's availability.
Key facts:
- This divisional-round game is the Seahawks and 49ers' third postseason meeting since 2010.
- Seattle's front seven includes contributors the article lists as Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Byron Murphy II and Ernest Jones IV, among others, with several players receiving Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition.
- The Seahawks' defense is described as among the league's best and is credited with winning the scoring title for the first time in a decade.
- Seattle assembled the unit through trades, free-agent signings and draft picks, and the group is commonly referred to within the team as the "Dark Side."
- The 49ers were described as dealing with injuries to key defensive players, including Nick Bosa, while Fred Warner returned to practice but might not play.
Summary:
The article reports that Seattle's defensive rebuild has shifted the team's identity and given the Seahawks an advantage in the trenches compared with recent seasons. The immediate next event is the divisional-round playoff game at Lumen Field against the 49ers on Saturday night, with availability of some San Francisco defenders reported as uncertain.
