Sports Illustrated Cover Features Two Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have arguably the NFL’s best defense. Anyone arguing that they aren’t the top unit would be fighting an uphill battle.

Entering this past offseason, the defense was still considered the strongest unit on the team after allowing the fewest points per game in 2012. That didn’t stop the front office from bringing in even more talent.

Surprisingly, the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both allowed Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, respectively, to leave as free agents and the two have helped the Seahawks defense become more intimidating and gain even more popularity.

The two defensive linemen are featured on this weeks Sports Illustrated cover and after their performance against the New Orleans Saints in last weeks playoff game, it’s not that much of a surprise. Avril and Bennett both registered half a sack on the play pictured on the cover.

Over the course of the season, Bennett has been involved in a number of game-changing plays. His interception/fumble return for a TD against the Saints in Week 13 was a huge momentum shift in what became a blowout 34-7 victory for the Seahawks.

On Sunday the Seahawks (13-3) will face their hated division rival San Francisco 49ers (12-4) in a matchup that will decide who will go to the Super Bowl. For the Seahawks, it would be only their second appearance in franchise history.

Let’s hope Avril and Bennett, along with the entire defense continue to shine, especially at CenturyLink.