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Kenneth Walker III led the way to a Seahawks playoff berth with monster TNF game

ByConnor Muldowney|
Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs to score a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs to score a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Not many NFL starters have had to fight for touches the way that Kenneth Walker III has in Seattle this season. The former Michigan State star and Doak Walker Award winner is the Seahawks’ RB1, but he’s treated like an RB2 most of the time, especially when Seattle is in the red zone.

The fourth-year running back out of Michigan State has repeatedly had impressive games, but he’s been held back by his lack of touches near the goal line.

For an NFL running back, Walker is really good. For a fantasy running back, he’s not as good, but that’s not his fault nor should he be judged on fantasy numbers. He can run for 60 yards and get Seattle down inside the five and he wouldn’t get a single touch from that point on.

If K9 wants to score touchdowns, he has to break off huge runs.

Well, he did that on Thursday Night Football as he was the star of the show for the Seahawks, leading the way offensively and helping them punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Kenneth Walker III dominates yet still splits touches

Throughout the season, Walker has been fighting for touches with backup and former Michigan and UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet. That didn’t change on Thursday night.

Despite finishing with 162 total yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries, Walker was still limited.

Walker had a 55-yard touchdown run and a 46-yard reception, but yet he only touched the ball 14 times. He averaged over 10 yards per touch, yet Mike Macdonald decided not to keep feeding him.

Charbonnet finished with 54 yards on 13 touches.

I don’t know about you, but if I had a starting running back averaging over 10 yards per touch and he’s already had multiple 40-plus-yard plays, I would keep feeding him and not his backup. Still, Charbonnet manages to force a split-carry situation, much to the dismay of Seattle fans.

Maybe this performance against the Rams will force Macdonald to feed Walker more, especially since his big game helped lead the Seahawks to the playoffs.

This wasn’t the first time Walker had a massive game to help complete a 16-point second-half comeback.

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