Leonard Williams was ridiculous in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals. In a day when the Seattle Seahawks defense dominated the Cardinals, Williams stood out. He seemingly could not be blocked, and destroyed several Cardinals plays with his penetration. Fellow Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed took notice.
Williams had 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, seven total pressures, and a tackle for loss in the Arizona run game. He was Seattle's high-graded defensive player (though, to be fair, safety Coby Bryant played extremely well and was PFF's eighth-highest defensive player in Week 12), according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The eye test alone would tell you how great Williams was.
Reed was good in his own right, of course. He had two quarterback pressures, and the team overall gave up just 3.3 yards per rushing attempt to Arizona's running backs. Every defensive lineman held their own. If Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray got loose for a run or two, that was an outside containment issue.
Williams is so far graded as PFF's 10th-best interior defensive lineman this season so far. Week 12 might have been his best game, though. He was a complete menace and destroyer of worlds to what the Cardinals hoped to accomplish against Seattle. A huge reason the Cardinals scored just six points was Williams.
After the game, Reed was asked about the play of his fellow defensive lineman, especially Williams. Reed had a succinct examination of how the Big Cat played against Arizona: "f****** beast."
Coincidentally, Reed used that phrase after the same game that safety Coby Bryant returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown. While running into the end zone, Bryant turned back towards the field, grabbed his crotch, and went backward in for a touchdown. Bryant's play was an homage to former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, the true Beast Mode.
Some might have complained about Seattle giving up a second-round 2024 draft pick for Williams midway through last season when the Seahawks traded with the New York Giants to bring Williams to Seattle. Some might have complained when Seattle spent a lot of money to re-sign Williams as a free agent this offseason. Likely, no one is complaining after watching Williams play this season, especially what he did in Week 12.
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