The Seahawks’ Road to Super Bowl 60 Runs Through the Trenches - Not Just Sam Darnold
Let’s set the record straight: Sam Darnold might be the quarterback under center, but he’s not the singular key to Seattle’s Super Bowl hopes. The real engine of this offense - the part that could make or break their title shot - is the offensive line and the ground game it’s been powering in recent weeks.
When Darnold has time, he can be efficient. That’s never really been in question.
But when the pocket collapses, his decision-making can get shaky - a 69.4 passer rating under pressure, with six touchdowns and six interceptions this season, tells the story. So if you’re looking for the real pivot point in Seattle’s postseason run, it’s not Darnold’s arm - it’s the legs of Kenneth Walker III and the big men up front paving the way.
And lately? They’ve been doing just that.
The Run Game is Heating Up at the Right Time
Kenneth Walker III has been a problem - in the best way - for opposing defenses. His playoff production has been electric, with an explosive run rate of 14.9% (second in the league among players with at least 150 touches). Over his last five games, Walker’s averaged 122 yards from scrimmage, 6.4 yards per touch, and found the end zone five times.
That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a ground game finding its identity.
And when the run game clicks, it opens up everything else. Darnold has posted a 124.7 passer rating on play-action throws this season, and that’s no coincidence.
With Walker threatening to break off chunk plays, defenses are forced to respect the run. That gives Darnold cleaner looks downfield and simplifies the reads.
It’s a ripple effect that transforms the offense.
Inside the Trenches: What the Players Are Saying
The surge in the run game hasn’t just been about one player. It’s been a collective effort - from the offensive line to the tight ends to the receivers blocking on the perimeter. And the guys in the trenches know it.
Left tackle Charles Cross put it plainly: “It’s just about playing our game. It’s the QB runs, it’s taking advantage of the opportunities that are in front of us and just playing together.
I feel like the run game is more than just the O-Line, it’s the tight ends, and receivers. We’ve just got to work together.”
Left guard Grey Zabel echoed that sentiment, pointing to the cohesion that’s developed over the course of the season: “Top to bottom, I think, the coaches just understanding what type of team we are, what type of run game we want to be... Every single game we get together, it’s going to be super exciting.”
Right tackle Abraham Lucas added a dose of realism: “I don’t think it’s anything spectacular that we’re doing. It’s just trusting the coaching and continuing to improve and get better... it’s a slow process, and we just keep getting better at it.”
That steady climb - not a sudden leap - has brought this unit to where it is now: confident, connected, and capable of imposing its will.
Tight end A.J. Barner summed it up best: “The run game’s such a team stat...
I feel people were questioning our run game, but now all things are working together at the perfect time, and that run game travels. Late in the year, it’s extremely important, so we’re going to keep doing it.”
A Return to Form - and a Nod to the Past
Walker’s recent form has drawn comparisons to the last time Seattle had a true game-changer in the backfield during the playoffs. He’s the first Seahawks running back since Marshawn Lynch to post 100+ scrimmage yards in back-to-back playoff games. That’s not just a fun stat - it’s a signal that Seattle might be rediscovering the kind of physical identity that made them contenders in the past.
And it’s not just Walker. The return of key linemen like Cross and Jalen Sundell has brought much-needed stability. Continuity matters in the trenches, and Seattle’s front five is finally starting to look like a cohesive unit - not just a collection of bodies.
The Test Ahead: New England’s Elite Run Defense
Of course, the next challenge is steep. The New England Patriots come into the Super Bowl boasting the third-best run defense in the NFL.
They’re disciplined, physical, and built to take away what you do best. If Walker and the offensive line can still impose their will against that front, it’ll be a statement - not just about this team’s potential, but about its identity.
And don’t forget about Walker’s versatility. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, likely on his way to the Raiders’ head coaching job, noted that Walker’s impact in the passing game is still evolving: “There’s so much that he can do in the pass game that we weren’t really able to rep in training camp... now, this time of year, it’s like we’re just always trying to find new ways to get him the ball in the passing game as well.”
That added layer - using Walker as a weapon out of the backfield - could be a difference-maker against a defense that’s geared up to stop the run.
Big Picture: What Comes After?
There’s a looming question about Seattle’s future beyond this Super Bowl run. With cap space to play with, decisions will need to be made.
A splashy move like Maxx Crosby might be a dream scenario, but at the very least, keeping Kenneth Walker in the fold should be a priority. He’s proving, on the biggest stage, that he’s more than just a productive back - he’s a foundational piece.
So while the headlines might focus on Darnold, the real story is written on the ground. If Seattle keeps winning in the trenches, they’ve got a shot to write the kind of ending that echoes through franchise history.
Because in the end, it’s not just about running the ball - it’s about how you run it, when you run it, and who you trust to carry that load. Right now, the Seahawks are trusting Kenneth Walker III. And he’s giving them every reason to believe.