I’m sure you’ve heard about the Seattle Seahawks and their reputation for being the most penalized team in the NFL. But what does that mean, really? I mean, aren’t all teams in the NFL prone to accruing penalties? Well, my answer, in a nutshell, is yes. But the Seahawks seem to be more prone to penalties than other teams—and for reasons that may surprise you!
First off, let me start by saying that most of the times, the Seahawks are not even at fault for the penalties they incur. It’s just that they play a very aggressive brand of football, and the referees tend to call more penalties than they usually would when officiating other teams. Thus, it’s almost like the Seahawks’ reputation precedes them and the refs are more likely to blow their whistles near the Seattle sideline.
On the other hand, however, it’s also true that there have been instances where the Seahawks have made ‘bonehead’ plays that resulted in earned penalties. This is most often due to their zeal and determination to win at any cost; oftentimes, they are willing to take risks that other teams would never take—a trait that can be both good and bad for the team.
Still, all that being said, I’d wager that their penalty rate is actually below average amongst all other NFL teams. Sure, they pile up the infractions on gameday—which the fans both love and hate at the same time—but they also do a great job of avoiding penalties in the heat of the battle.
Furthermore, I believe that by the end of each season, the Seahawks’ penalty rate will be lower than the league-wide average. They may incur more penalties than other teams during the regular season, but their ability to contain their aggression for most of the season is unparalleled. Also, their commitment to making sure the team plays smart football has been the key to their success.
Now, to be sure, the Seahawks’ strategy of ‘playing smart’ doesn’t always work in their favor (they print us to learn from their mistakes and become better players). But, if they continue to execute their gameplan this way, I’m confident the Seahawks will be one of the least penalized teams in the NFL come playoff time.
In conclusion, I don’t think it’s fair to say that the Seahawks are the most penalties team in the NFL, but they are definitely in the discussion. They may have a few flaws in their style of play, but if they keep playing smart, they should be able to stay competitive and continue to be one of the better teams in the league.