Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald could make history in Super Bowl LX by becoming the first defensive play-calling coach to win a championship. The Seahawks enter the game as 5-point favorites against the New England Patriots despite defensive struggles in the NFC Championship Game.
Macdonald\'s defense ranked first in EPA per play during the regular season but finished at -0.25 EPA per play in Sunday\'s 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. That mark represents the worst defensive performance among 52 winning teams in conference championship games since 2000, according to TruMedia.
Rams coach Sean McVay exploited Seattle\'s defense by adjusting his approach on second down. McVay utilized more 12 personnel groupings instead of 13 personnel and shifted toward more 3 x 1 formations rather than 2 x 2 alignments in those situations.
The strategy proved effective as Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford failed to complete a single pass on six third-down attempts. However, Stafford completed 10 of 13 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown on second down, negating Seattle\'s third-down defensive advantages.
No defensive-minded head coach who calls plays has won a Super Bowl in league history. Bill Belichick came closest during his Patriots dynasty, but coordinators Romeo Crennel, Matt Patricia and Brian Flores made the actual defensive calls while every play went through the head coach.
Tom Landry, creator of the famous Flex Defense, possessed expertise to call plays on both sides but focused on offense. His iconic fedoras made wearing traditional headsets difficult, contributing to his offensive emphasis.
Other defensive-minded coaches who won championships delegated play-calling duties to coordinators. The list includes recent winners like Bill Belichick\'s Patriots staff and extends back through decades of NFL history.
Macdonald spent time as defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens before accepting the Seattle position two years ago. The Ravens have since moved on from John Harbaugh, raising questions about whether Baltimore regrets allowing Macdonald to leave when multiple teams pursued him.
The Seahawks\' defensive performance against Los Angeles raises concerns heading into the Super Bowl. Seattle allowed the Rams to accumulate significant yardage while struggling to generate consistent pressure and coverage.
New England presents a different challenge with second-year quarterback Drake Maye leading an offense that relies heavily on the running game. The Patriots have emphasized ball control and defensive intensity during their playoff run under first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
Macdonald\'s defense must rebound from the championship game struggles to secure a historic victory. The unit\'s regular season dominance suggests capability exists, but execution against elite competition remains inconsistent.
The coaching matchup features two first-year head coaches seeking championship validation. Vrabel calls defensive plays for New England while delegating offensive responsibilities, creating an interesting contrast with Macdonald\'s approach.
Seattle\'s defensive struggles in the conference championship could prove anomalous rather than indicative of broader issues. The unit\'s regular season excellence provides reason for optimism despite one poor performance.