The Seattle Seahawks overcame a rough start to the 2015-16 season to make the playoffs for the fifth time in Earl Thomas III’s career. Along the way, No. 29 matched career-highs in interceptions and passes defended, as the team provided some spectacular moments on the road and at home in front of the 12s.

As ET III and Co. begin the road back to the Super Bowl this offseason, we’re counting down the best five games had by the All-Pro free safety during his sixth season in the NFL.

NO. 2—ET PICKS CARDS IN SEASON ENDING BLOWOUT

In one of the Seattle Seahawks’ biggest statement wins of the season, Earl Thomas III played a major role.

In the final week of the regular season, the Seahawks smashed the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals 36-6, a blowout victory that was highlighted by Earl’s fifth interception of the year, which tied his career high. It marked the third five-pick season in his six NFL seasons.

But more importantly, the win showed that the Seahawks were a major threat going into the playoffs.

“For me personally, coming off a shoulder injury, fighting so many mental battles, it just feels good, for your body to be feeling right, for your confidence to be on point. You just feed off your teammates,” Earl said after Sunday’s win. “It was just great to see us dominate. I just felt everybody’s energy and it was great.”

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While the Seahawks couldn’t ultimately defend their seat on the NFC throne, the Jan. 3 victory was the perfect way to start 2016. The Legion of Boom went down to Glendale, Ariz. where they faced the league’s most potent offense, and they held that Arizona attack to just 232 yards of total offense—the Cards’ only game under 300 yards all year.

“We had on our mind. We were determined. We were together. We bought our training to the game, “ Earl said. “I’m grateful for the focus that we’re playing with. I’m grateful for everybody putting in their dues during the week of our preparation, and it paying off on game day. We dominated almost every situation that we were put in. It was great for us to see how they wanted to attack us also because we kind of messed up sometimes. Going into the playoffs, that’s good for us to see.”

Specifically, Seattle derailed Arizona’s running game, led by breakout running back, David Johnson. The rookie had posted six straight games with either 100-plus yards of total offense or a touchdown, or both. But Hawks snapped it, holding him scoreless, and to just 59 total yards: 25 rushing and 34 receiving.

The L.O.B. was also all over Carson Palmer and the lethal Arizona passing attack in the first half, intercepting the career 40,000-yard passer once and holding him to just 129 yards.

Meanwhile, the Seattle offense exploded for 30 first-half points. Facing a 30-6 halftime deficit, the Cardinals sat Palmer in the second half. Drew Stanton didn’t fare any better in relief. ET recorded one interception on the second-string QB, while DeShawn Shead and Jeremy Lane turned in the team’s other two picks on the day.

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The Hawks lead from wire-to-wire, as Bryce Brown punched in the first score from one yard out. Kicker Steven Hasuchka knocked through a 52-yard field goal to make it 10-0, before Palmer hooked up with Larry Fitzgerald for Arizona’s lone score of the day.

Russell Wilson answered with back-to-back-t0-back passing touchdowns—three in a span of just 6:02 to close the first half for Seattle. The first went to Will Tukuafu, the second to Chase Coffman and the third to Jermaine Kearse, and the Hawks had the game well in-hand going into the locker room.

That rout was built on a strong defensive foundation. The Legion of Boom limited the Cardinals to just 21 yards and 12 plays through three quick drives, which allowed the Hawks offense to dominate possession and build momentum over those three straight scoring drives. The Hawks (36:37) held the ball more than 13 minutes longer than the Cardinals (23:23) at University of Phoenix Stadium.

To start the second half, Hauschka tacked on another field goal to further pad the lead. With Stanton under center, the Cards went to the air to try to slice into the deficit, but Earl was ready. Arizona targeted its deep threat, John Brown, down the left sideline. But No. 29 raced in from his free safety position, undercutting the route for an easy pick.

That led to the final score of the game, another Hauschka field goal. From there, Seattle simply melted the clock away. That granted the Hawks their fourth consecutive 10-win season and sent them to the playoffs for the fifth time in Earl’s six years.

While Seattle has been a playoff staple in recent years, the squad’s postseason hopes were looking grim early in the year. The Hawks slogged through a 3-5 start, but they stayed the course, maintained their faith in one another, and ultimately came out on the winning end, and with a playoff berth.

The dominant effort, holding the vaunted Arizona offense to just six points, also ensured that the Hawks would finish No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed for the fourth straight season. Earl admitted that moniker is a major source of pride for the team—and that it all came from their positive outlook.

“Me and Sherm talked about it maybe around the third quarter of the season, and I just kept my eye close on it,” Earl said. “It means a lot. When you’re in it for a season, you don’t know what’s happening, or even since I’ve been here. You just keep winning, keep having fun, keep overcoming and good stuff like this happens.”