The stage is set for the final showdown of the 2025 NFL season, as the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots gear up for a clash that will crown the league’s next champion. It's not just a battle for a trophy-this is about legacy, momentum, and cementing a season’s worth of work with the ultimate reward.
Both teams arrive at this moment with resumes that speak for themselves. Offensively and defensively, they’ve been among the league’s elite all year.
Seattle, in particular, has lit up scoreboards all season long, finishing as the NFL’s third-highest scoring offense. But their high-powered attack will be missing a key piece on Sunday.
Zach Charbonnet, who led the Seahawks in touchdowns this season, won’t be suiting up after suffering a torn ACL in the divisional round against the 49ers. That’s a major blow-not just because of his production, but because of the physicality and versatility he brought to the backfield. His absence forces Seattle to pivot heading into the biggest game of the year.
With only Ken Walker and George Holani available as healthy backs, Seattle made a move Saturday afternoon, elevating two more running backs from the practice squad to shore up depth ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
One of those backs is Cam Akers, a name that should ring familiar. Akers was the starting running back for the Los Angeles Rams in their Super Bowl LVI win over the Bengals, a 23-20 thriller that showcased his ability to step up under the brightest lights. He brings experience, poise, and a physical running style that could be crucial in short-yardage and red zone situations.
Joining him is Velus Jones, who’s seen far less postseason action but was part of the Seahawks’ dominant 41-6 win over San Francisco last month. While his playoff résumé is limited, Jones adds speed and special teams value-something that could come into play in a game where every inch matters.
Seattle’s backfield situation will be one of the key storylines to watch. With Charbonnet out, the pressure is on Walker to carry the load, but the presence of Akers and Jones gives the Seahawks options-and more importantly, insurance-against a stout Patriots defense.
Sunday’s matchup promises to be a chess match between two well-rounded teams who know how to score and know how to stop you from doing the same. And while the Seahawks have been one of the league’s most explosive offenses, they’ll now have to prove they can adapt without one of their most reliable weapons.
The Lombardi Trophy is on the line. The stakes couldn’t be higher. And for Seattle, the path to victory just got a little more complicated-but far from impossible.