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Seahawks’ Beatdown of Vikings Brings Big NFL News for Star Linebacker

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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his monster performance in Seattle’s 26-0 shutout of the Minnesota Vikings, an outing that included 12 tackles, two interceptions and an 85-yard pick-six. The NFL announced the Week 13 honors on Wednesday, giving Jones the first Player of the Week award of his career.

Seahawks Linebacker Earns NFC Defensive Player of the Week After 2-INT Game

Jones was everywhere in November 30’s win at Lumen Field, keying a defensive performance that produced five takeaways and the franchise’s first shutout since 2015. The 25-year-old linebacker picked off Minnesota rookie quarterback Max Brosmer twice, including the second-quarter interception he took 85 yards the other way to break the game open.

According to the league’s release, Jones became just the third player since 2000 to record at least 12 tackles, two interceptions and a pick-six in the same game, joining Donnie Edwards and Rayshawn Jenkins in that rare club. The Seahawks turned that dominance into a 26-0 victory that moved them to 9-3 and kept them on track in the NFC playoff race. 

This is Jones’ first-career Defensive Player of the Week award. He’s also the fourth Seahawks linebacker in the past 10 seasons to earn the honor, following Bobby Wagner, Uchenna Nwosu and fellow 2025 standout DeMarcus Lawrence, underscoring just how central the position has been to Seattle’s defensive identity.

Jones’ big day also continued what’s already a career year. Earlier in the week, he talked about setting a goal of six interceptions for the season, and he’s already up to a career-high four after the Vikings game, with his first NFL touchdown now on the resume as well.

What Ernest Jones’ Award Means for the Seahawks’ Defense & Playoff Push

The award is another sign that Seattle’s revamped defense under head coach Mike Macdonald is becoming one of the NFC’s scariest units. Against Minnesota, the Seahawks held the Vikings to just 162 total yards while forcing four interceptions of Brosmer and a fifth takeaway on a forced fumble, suffocating an offense already dealing with injuries at quarterback.

Jones was at the center of it all. Back from injury, he’s been described inside the building as a “big-time leader” for this defense, both on the field and in the locker room. His range in coverage, instincts in zone and closing speed on the ball have helped unlock more aggressive fronts for Lawrence, Leonard Williams and the rest of Seattle’s pass rush.

The timing of the award matters. At 9-3 and tied for first in the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks are trying to stack wins and secure home-field leverage in January. A defense built around Jones’ playmaking in the middle gives Seattle a clear path to winning ugly games down the stretch, especially with an offense that’s still finding week-to-week consistency.

It also sends a message around the conference: the Legion of Boom era is long gone, but this version of the Seahawks defense has its own emerging stars. With Jones taking the ball away at the second level and Lawrence wrecking plays up front, Seattle has the kind of game-changing defenders that can flip a playoff matchup with one mistake from an opposing quarterback.

Stats, Schedule & Context for Seahawks After Vikings Shutout

For Jones, the award is a milestone; for the Seahawks, it’s a sign that their defensive centerpiece is peaking at exactly the right time. If he keeps flying to the ball like he did against Minnesota, this may not be the last league-wide honor he picks up before the season is over.

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