The Seattle Seahawks are heading into Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams with more than just a Super Bowl berth on the line-they’re also battling a growing list of injuries that could drastically reshape their offensive game plan.
Let’s start with the backfield. After a dominant Divisional Round win over the 49ers, Seattle lost a key piece of its ground game: running back Zach Charbonnet is out for the season with a knee injury.
That’s a major blow. Charbonnet had carved out a crucial role as the thunder to Kenneth Walker III’s lightning, giving the Seahawks a physical, between-the-tackles option that helped wear down defenses.
Without him, the pressure on Walker increases significantly-not just to produce, but to stay healthy in what’s shaping up to be a grind-it-out kind of matchup.
But the real concern? It’s up front.
Seattle could be heading into the biggest game of the year without three of its starting offensive linemen. On Thursday, the team listed tackles Charles Cross (foot), Amari Kight (knee), and Josh Jones (knee/ankle) as non-participants in practice.
That’s not just a red flag-it’s a flashing siren.
Cross is a cornerstone of this line, typically holding down the left side opposite Abraham Lucas. When Cross went down against San Francisco, it was Jones who stepped in.
Now, both are banged up, and Kight-who logged just two offensive snaps and five on special teams last week-is also in danger of missing time. If none of the three can go, Seattle could be forced to turn to fourth-stringer Mason Richman.
That’s a steep drop-off in experience and cohesion, especially when you’re about to face one of the most disruptive defensive fronts in the league.
And let’s talk about that Rams pass rush. Byron Young, Jared Verse, and Kobie Turner have been wreaking havoc all season.
They bring speed, power, and versatility off the edge and through the interior. If Darnold is working behind a patchwork line, he’ll need to get the ball out fast and make sharp decisions-something that’s been a mixed bag for him this season.
In two games against the Rams this year, Darnold threw for 549 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. That turnover number jumps off the page.
Six picks in two games is unsustainable, especially in a postseason setting where every possession matters. Ball security has to be priority number one.
The Rams are too opportunistic to give them extra chances.
The season series between these two teams was a tale of two cities-literally. The home team won each matchup.
The Rams took the first meeting in Week 11, with Seattle missing a potential game-winning 61-yard field goal from Jason Myers. In the rematch, LA held a 30-14 lead in the fourth quarter before imploding and losing 38-37 in overtime.
That collapse cost them the NFC’s top seed, and it’s safe to say they haven’t forgotten.
For the Seahawks, the path to victory starts with protecting their quarterback-whoever lines up at tackle needs to hold up against a relentless Rams front. Darnold will need to play clean, efficient football, and Kenneth Walker III might have to shoulder more of the load than ever before. The margin for error is razor-thin, but this team has shown it can rise to the occasion.
Sunday’s showdown is shaping up to be a war of attrition, and Seattle’s depth-especially in the trenches-could be the deciding factor.