They entered Week 16’s crunch contest against NFC West rivals the Los Angeles Rams with a lacklustre running game, but the Seattle Seahawks amassed 171 yards on the ground, 100 of those gained by Kenneth Walker III, who’s spilled the secrets behind the improvement in the rushing attack during an epic 38-37 win in overtime.
Walker is convinced “we just executed better. All week we talked about the run game and ways that we can spring it open, so the execution was much better this week,” per Seahawks.com Writer Ari Horton.
Better execution was obvious when Walker gashed the Rams on a history-making 55-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.
Big plays like this played an important role in the Seahawks eventually overcoming their divisional nemesis. Yet, what was just as important was the way Walker and backfield mate Zach Charbonnet kept the chains moving by grinding out the tough yards in key moments.
Walker was keen to credit an often overlooked offensive line for these successes. He explained, “We always talk about the O-line. None of this success we have as a run game is possible without them,” per Horton.
The Seahawks did just about control the trenches enough in the run game, despite a torrid time trying to keep Rams’ pass-rushers off quarterback Sam Darnold. His being sacked four times and staying under siege in the pocket, only increased the value of a reinvigorated Seattle ground attack led by Walker.
Kenneth Walker III Deserves Bigger Workload
A running back with Walker’s talents needed more touches in the biggest game of the Seahawks’ season. The 25-year-old reminded people his acceleration, breakaway speed and underrated power are core qualities of a true bell-cow back.
Despite those traits, there’s been a reluctance to lean into Walker’s potential as a workhorse. That hesitation is tough to explain, but Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak still appeared content to trust Charbonnet more in traditional running situations.
Walker took only 11 handoffs, but he made the majority of them count. Like when the fourth-pro produced two “explosives” highlighted by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, runs that accounted for 72 yards.
Those plays shows why Walker deserves a bigger workload moving forward. It’s on Kubiak to get No. 9 involved more often.
Seahawks OC Must Reframe Plan
Reframing the running game around heavier doses of Walker would be a smart move from Kubiak during the business end of this campaign. Shifting the plan for the offense this way would certainly find favor with those up front, based on the holes they knocked open against the Rams.
Walker gaining 6.6 yards before contact per rushing attempt, according to Pro Football Reference, shows how well the Rams moved bodies and created running lanes.
They were many solid performers, but rookie left guard Grey Zabel was able to move the pile. The first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft endured a rough outing in pass-protection, particularly against stellar Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner, but Zabel looked more comfortable when the Seahawks ran the ball.
A similar level of comfort was evident in how Zabel’s fellow guard Anthony Bradford and center Jalen Sundell performed in front of Walker and Charbonnet. It also helped to have 274-pound rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts on the field for 10 snaps, although the lead blocker wasn’t as active as expected.
Fortunately, the Seahawks did give 26 snaps to eventual game-winner and blocking tight end, Eric Saubert. He added his 6-foot-5, 253-pound frame to a line also supplemented by another tight end, AJ Barner.
This beefed-up front won the physical battles ahead of Walker and represents an effective way to travel for Kubiak’s offense headed into the playoffs.
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