Kenneth Walker III Could Be the X-Factor in Super Bowl 60 - ESPN Predicts a Monster Game
When the Seattle Seahawks take the field against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, all eyes will be on the quarterback matchup: Sam Darnold leading the Seahawks, and rookie sensation Drake Maye under center for the Patriots. But if Seattle wants to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, it may come down to the legs-and hands-of Kenneth Walker III.
The Seahawks will need to play a clean, efficient game against a Patriots defense that’s been downright stingy all season. And with Zach Charbonnet sidelined after tearing his ACL in the divisional round win over San Francisco, the Seahawks’ backfield now belongs to Walker. That’s a tall order, but it’s also a golden opportunity-and ESPN’s Stephania Bell is betting big on it.
A Bold Call: 150+ Yards from Scrimmage
Bell is projecting a breakout performance from Walker, predicting he’ll rack up over 150 yards from scrimmage in the biggest game of his career. That’s a bold number, especially against a Patriots defense that prides itself on limiting explosive plays, but it’s not without precedent.
Walker has quietly been heating up at the perfect time. Over his last five games-including two playoff matchups-he’s averaged 120 yards from scrimmage, and that’s while sharing touches in a committee approach for much of that stretch. Now, with Charbonnet out, the training wheels are off.
Playoff Production Tells the Story
In the postseason, Walker has stepped up in a major way. He’s logged 19 carries in each of Seattle’s last two games, piling up 178 rushing yards and three touchdowns. That’s not just solid-it’s workhorse production, and it’s come when the Seahawks have needed it most.
But Bell’s prediction doesn’t hinge solely on Walker’s ability to pound the rock. It’s about what he can do in space, too.
In those same two playoff games, Walker caught seven passes for 78 yards. That’s where the Patriots could be vulnerable.
New England’s linebackers are disciplined, but they’ve shown some cracks when asked to cover dynamic backs out of the backfield. If offensive coordinator Shane Waldron can scheme up favorable matchups-think angle routes, quick swings, or screens-Walker has the burst and vision to turn short catches into chunk gains.
The Supporting Cast Matters
Walker won’t be doing it alone. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a reliable weapon in Seattle’s passing game, and his ability to stretch the field or work underneath could keep the Patriots’ secondary honest. That spacing matters-it opens up lanes for Walker both on the ground and in the passing game.
And while Sam Darnold isn’t the flashiest name in this Super Bowl, he’s been steady. His willingness to check down when the deep shot isn’t there could be a quiet key to unlocking Walker’s full potential as a dual-threat weapon.
Chasing History, One Play at a Time
Now, let’s be clear-150 yards from scrimmage in a Super Bowl is no small feat. To crack the top 10 all-time, he’d need 161. But numbers aside, if Walker can deliver that kind of performance on the biggest stage, it would put him in rare company and potentially swing the game in Seattle’s favor.
This isn’t just about a stat line-it’s about impact. If Walker can control the tempo, keep the chains moving, and make a few explosive plays, the Seahawks could keep Maye and the Patriots offense on the sidelines and dictate the flow of the game.
So yes, it’s a bold prediction. But it’s not out of reach.
Kenneth Walker III has the talent, the workload, and the moment. Now it’s just a matter of execution.
If he delivers, we might be talking about more than just a Seahawks win-we might be talking about a Super Bowl MVP performance.