Julian Love credits Riley Leonard with Seattle’s scoring defense title

The Seattle Seahawks clinched the No. 1 seed with a dominant performance against the San Francisco 49ers in the regular season finale. San Francisco has been red-hot heading into Week 18, scoring at least 37 points in three straight games. But The Seahawks shut out the 49ersholding Brock Purdy and company to just 173 yards and three scores.

Seattle finished the season as defense number 1 DVOA. The Seahawks’ league-leading defensive DVOA of -24.2 is the best mark of any team since 2018. Seattle also boasted the best defense in the NFL this season, allowing a very stingy 17.2 points per game.

The Seahawks just passed the Houston Texans for the top scoring defense. Houston has given up 17.4 points per contest this year. When told of Seattle’s achievement, Julian Love gave credit where credit is due. “That’s cool. Thank God for.” Riley Leonard” Love said, according to The Athletic’s Michael-Shavn Dugar.

Riley Leonard helps Seahawks beat Texans

Leonard started his first career in Week 18 and the rookie quarterback hung 30 points on the Texans’ vaunted defense. Despite facing a roster of big-time passers including Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence (twice), Sam Darnold, Purdy, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, Week 18 marked the first time all season Houston allowed 30 points in a game.

Leonard’s outburst, combined with the Seahawks’ 13-3 effort, allowed Seattle to surpass the Texans as the stingiest defense in the league. Houston, however, finished as the best in total defense, allowing 277.2 total yards per game. The Seahawks ranked sixth in total yards allowed, averaging 285.6 per contest.

The divisional clash in Week 18 had a good matchup. But in the end, Seattle’s defense outmatched the 49ers’ offense. The Seahawks bloody Purdy in a dominant performance.

Seattle put constant pressure on the fourth-year passer, recording three sacks and eight KB hits. After scoring 10 touchdowns in the last two games, Purdy was left out of the end zone. He went 19/27 for 127 yards with no scores and an interception.

The Seahawks got a bye in the first round with the win. The 49ers will head to Philadelphia to face the No. 3 seed Eagles in the Wild Card game on Sunday.