The Seattle Seahawks didn’t just beat the San Francisco 49ers this past weekend - they steamrolled them. And while Sam Darnold technically gets the quarterback win, let’s be clear: the engine behind that 41-6 blowout wasn’t under center.
It was in the backfield, wearing No. 9.
Kenneth Walker III didn’t just have a good game - he delivered his most complete performance of the season at the perfect time. The 116 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and 29 more yards through the air weren’t just stats; they were a statement.
This was the version of Walker Seattle envisioned when they made him the focal point of their offense down the stretch. And if this is the guy who shows up next week, the Seahawks might just have the formula to keep their playoff run alive.
Let’s rewind for a second. Early in the season, Walker was producing - 606 yards over the first 10 games is nothing to sneeze at - but he wasn’t the centerpiece.
The offense leaned more on Darnold’s arm, especially during his hot start. But after a Week 11 loss to the Rams, something shifted.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak recalibrated. The Seahawks started feeding Walker and fellow back Zach Charbonnet more consistently.
The result? A more balanced, more dangerous offense.
That shift paid off in a big way against the 49ers. Walker ran wild, gashing a defense that’s made a name for itself with physicality and discipline.
His 19 carries were a mix of vision, burst, and power - exactly the kind of performance that wears down a front seven and keeps a quarterback out of trouble. And with Darnold managing just 124 passing yards, Seattle needed every bit of Walker’s production.
What makes Walker’s breakout even more impressive is how rare it’s been for him to hit paydirt multiple times in a game this season. Before this weekend, he had only five total touchdowns all year, and just one game (Week 3 vs. the Saints) with more than one score.
So for him to punch it in three times against a division rival, in a playoff atmosphere? That’s not just a big game - that’s a tone-setter.
And now, with the NFC Championship on deck and another showdown against the Rams looming, the Seahawks have to like what they’re seeing from their lead back. Walker’s had success against LA this year.
In the Week 16 overtime thriller, he went for exactly 100 yards and averaged a blistering 9.1 yards per carry - his best clip of the season - while also finding the end zone. Even in the earlier loss to the Rams, he still managed 67 yards and a score.
So yes, the Rams are a different animal. They’ve got Matthew Stafford slinging it, and they can turn a game into a shootout in a hurry.
But that doesn’t mean Seattle should abandon what’s working. In fact, it’s the opposite.
The Seahawks might be tempted to match Stafford throw for throw, but that’s not where their strength lies right now - not with Darnold’s recent inconsistency.
The smarter play? Keep leaning on Walker.
Control the clock. Keep Stafford on the sideline.
And let your most explosive offensive weapon do what he’s been doing since midseason: carry the load.
If Walker can build on what he just did to the 49ers, Seattle’s offense doesn’t need to be flashy - just effective. And right now, Walker is giving them exactly that.