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29th January 2015
05:42pm GMT

3. Michael Bennett
The star of the Seattle defensive line, Bennett terrorises quarterbacks with his ability to get pressure from any position on the line of scrimmage. Equally adept in the run game, Bennett's versatility forces offences to always take an extra second to account for his point of attack, often allowing fellow pass rushers like Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin to prosper.
Plus, he has the best sack dance ever. Lock up your daughters.
4. Russell Wilson
Seattle's quarterback is one of most likeable players on the team, but despite his results he has yet to shake the suspicion of many that Seattle's success is more a product of incredible defence and Lynch's legs than anything Wilson brings to the table.
It's a legitimate point, but does take away from the remarkable sense of the moment that Wilson, an undersized wisp of a player, has displayed so far in his young career. He doesn't have the numbers, or frankly the throwing ability, of ageing passers like Brady or Peyton Manning or younger rivals Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers, but his biggest asset is his brain.
He is among the finest at sensing danger and escaping the pocket to either run the ball or scramble to buy his receivers time, showing a rare elusiveness that frustrates and tires defenders.
He is also unflappable. Through 55 minutes of the NFC title game, Wilson was a complete mess, throwing four interceptions and on track for by far his worst game as a pro. But when given the chance in the dying moments, he stepped up and led three touchdown drives in ten minutes, including a game winner in over time that involved recognising single coverage on the outside and audibling to a deep throw to receiver Jermaine Kearse, who was the target on all four picks but who came up with the 35-yeard game-winner.
He will also become the youngest ever quarterback to win two rings if Seattle defends its title.
5= Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor
It's too hard to separate Seattle's dominating pair of safeties. The rangy Thomas gets the plaudits for his all-around ability, directing the Seahawks defence from his position in centre-field and excelling both in pass coverage and the run game. But, much in the way Richard Sherman sets the tone of the team with his mouth, it is Chancellor whose thunderous hits that are Seattle's real signature statement.
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