The NFC Championship is set, and it’s a heavyweight bout between two of the NFC’s best: the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. These teams have gone toe-to-toe all season long, and now it comes down to one game, one shot at the Super Bowl. With stakes this high and margins this thin, every snap matters - and every player who can tilt the field even slightly becomes a potential game-changer.
Enter Kenneth Walker III.
With Zach Charbonnet sidelined for the season due to a knee injury, Walker is expected to shoulder the bulk of the Seahawks’ rushing workload. That’s not just a next-man-up situation - it’s a potential game-defining shift. ESPN analyst Ben Solak even went so far as to make a bold prediction: Walker will not only carry the load, but he’ll also top his season-high 116 rushing yards from last week’s win over the 49ers.
That’s a big call, but it’s not out of the question.
Walker has the kind of burst and vision that can break open even the stingiest defenses. And while the Rams have been solid against the run this year, they’re not impenetrable.
There have been moments - cracks in the armor - where opposing backs found daylight. If Walker can find those same seams, especially early, it could change the entire complexion of the game.
Why? Because a strong run game does more than move the chains - it changes the math.
If Seattle can establish the ground game, it takes pressure off quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s had his struggles against this Rams defense in the past. Darnold doesn’t have to be a hero if Walker is chewing up yardage and keeping the Rams’ defense honest. That opens up play-action, slows down the Rams’ pass rush, and gives Seattle a chance to control the tempo - something that’s been critical in their biggest wins this season.
And let’s not forget the Seahawks’ defense. If they can force quick stops and get the ball back into Walker’s hands, it creates a rhythm - the kind of rhythm that wears down defenses and keeps the Rams’ offense on the sideline. That’s how you win playoff football: run the ball, play defense, control the clock.
There’s also a personal storyline at play here. Walker is nearing free agency, and a big performance on this stage could be a major boost to his next contract.
He’s not just running for yards - he’s running for his future. And if he hits that 117-yard mark, it’s not just a win for the Seahawks - it’s a statement.
With the spotlight firmly on him, Kenneth Walker III could be the X-factor in this NFC title clash. The opportunity is there.
The workload will be there. And if he delivers, the Seahawks might just be packing their bags for the Super Bowl.