The Seattle Seahawks’ playoff surge has been powered by a running game that looks increasingly unstoppable — and at the center of it all is Kenneth Walker III. In the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, Walker delivered a performance that didn’t just light up the stat sheet, but visibly drained the fight out of the San Francisco 49ers.
Facing a defense with championship pedigree, Walker tore through San Francisco 49ers for 116 rushing yards — his highest total of the season — and scored three touchdowns in a dominant 41–6 win. As the game wore on, Walker noticed the toll his relentless running was taking.
“You can see it in their breathing,” Walker said afterward. “They’re tired. They’re slow getting up. It becomes demoralizing. We just have to keep doing that.”
That mindset has come to define Seattle’s postseason identity.
A Ground Game Built for January
If the Seahawks want to keep their Super Bowl dream alive, “keep doing that” is exactly the formula they must follow when they meet the Los Angeles Rams on January 25 in the NFC Championship Game. Seattle enters the matchup riding an eight-game winning streak, with its only recent loss coming against the Rams back in Week 11.
The difference now is the run game. Over the past four games, the Seahawks have rushed for more than 160 yards each time, including a 175-yard explosion against San Francisco. Seattle’s offensive line has consistently created space on the edges, averaging more than six yards per carry on outside runs and off-tackle plays in the divisional round.
“A lot of it comes from wide zone,” head coach Mike Macdonald explained. “That’s something we’ve worked on all year, and it’s where we hang our hat. It’s great to see it come to life when it matters most.”
Walker Sets the Tone for Seattle’s Offense
Walker has been the driving force behind the Seahawks’ rushing revival. He has topped 97 rushing yards in three of his last four games and recorded at least 133 yards from scrimmage in three of those contests. Against the 49ers alone, he totaled 145 all-purpose yards, repeatedly flipping field position and keeping Seattle in control.
For Walker, the surge comes down to precision and preparation.
“It’s all about the details,” he said. “We study it, we practice it, and then we execute. When we do that, it shows up on Sundays.”
His efficiency has been just as impressive as his volume. Walker has averaged more than six yards per carry in three of his past four games — including two dominant outings against San Francisco and one against the Rams.
Injuries Raise Walker’s Importance Even Higher
Walker’s role has become even more critical due to injuries elsewhere on the roster. Fellow running back Zach Charbonnet suffered a season-ending knee injury in the divisional round, while quarterback Sam Darnold is managing an oblique injury throughout the postseason.
That makes Walker’s consistency invaluable. A strong rushing attack reduces the burden on Darnold, who just earned his first career postseason victory, and creates balance across the offense.
“It opens everything up,” wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said. “When defenses have to respect the run, it helps all areas of what we do.”
A Perfect Stage to Prove His Worth
Beyond chasing a Lombardi Trophy, Walker has personal motivation fueling his postseason push. The fourth-year running back is approaching free agency, and his late-season surge could significantly shape his future value around the league.
There may be no better time to make his case. Walker’s career night against the 49ers underlined just how essential he is to Seattle’s success. Another standout performance in the NFC Championship Game would only strengthen the belief that Kenneth Walker III ignites the Seahawks’ Super Bowl hopes — and perhaps secures his place as one of the league’s most impactful playoff performers.
