SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks found rejuvenation thanks to running back Kenneth Walker III, who played a crucial role in their impressive 34-14 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Despite battling flu-like symptoms, Walker managed to score two touchdowns, providing the spark the team needed to snap its three-game losing skid and reclaim its position at the top of the NFC West.
“He was under the weather but still showed up big,” said quarterback Geno Smith. “Scoring two touchdowns on his birthday was remarkable. It’s like a flu game for him, and I thought he handled it all fantastically.” Walker was instrumental in the match, carrying the ball 14 times for 69 yards and catching two passes for 24 yards, which included a spectacular diving 17-yard touchdown catch that propelled Seattle to a 24-14 lead in the third quarter. His other touchdown came from a 20-yard run in the second quarter, setting the tone for the team early.
Heading into this game, Smith led the NFL in average passing yards but had experienced inconsistency with the offense under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Walker, who had missed two games earlier this season due to an oblique injury, helped restore chemistry to the team as they navigated a challenging schedule. During their three-game losing streak, they faced difficulties, playing three games within an 11-day timeframe. In this latest outing, Seattle struck a balance in its play calling, completing 29 passing attempts while rushing 26 times.
“I think Grubb did an excellent job with the play calling. The balance we achieved was impressive,” said Smith after finishing the game with 207 yards and two touchdowns. “We effectively alternated between passing and rushing when necessary—that’s the kind of complementary football you need in this league.”
On the defensive side, the Seahawks made a vital adjustment with the recent addition of defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, who was acquired in a trade from Jacksonville just a week prior. His impact was felt in the second half, where the run defense significantly improved, allowing only 39 rushing yards after conceding 116 in the first half. Although Bijan Robinson posted over 100 rushing yards, a considerable part of that came during one drive where he scored a touchdown in the second quarter.
Coach Mike Macdonald highlighted Robertson-Harris’ effective performance in enhancing the run defense. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound player is expected to play a more prominent role in the pass rush as the season progresses. His journey has been remarkable, transitioning from playing with the Jaguars in London to joining his new teammates for the game in Atlanta, where he recorded five tackles.
The Seahawks enjoyed a mini-bye following their exhausting stretch of losses and capitalized on the additional rest to come into the game with heightened focus. Their upbeat performance extended beyond the offense, as the defense contributed significantly, even scoring a touchdown, while kicker Jason Myers set a stadium record with a 59-yard field goal.
One notable player was fourth-string right tackle Michael Jerrell, who executed a crucial block that helped facilitate Walker’s scoring run. “He was ready for this opportunity,” Smith remarked. Jerrell, a rookie drafted in the sixth round from Division II Findlay, stepped in for Stone Forsythe, who was filling in for George Fant due to injuries.
However, there are concerns as DK Metcalf sustained a knee injury, which could complicate matters for fantasy football players. On a quieter day for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he caught only three passes for a mere 9 yards, while both Metcalf and Tyler Lockett led the team with four catches each.
Injury updates revealed Nehemiah Pritchett suffered an ankle injury late in the game that doesn’t appear severe. Meanwhile, Metcalf’s injury situation remains uncertain; he was carted off the field after a tough fall, leaving fans on edge.
A noteworthy statistic from the matchup was Seattle capitalizing on turnovers, scoring 10 points from three forced turnovers in the second half alone, including a game-clinching fumble return touchdown by Derick Hall. They came into this game with a minus-6 turnover differential, underscoring a turnaround.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to face another formidable opponent when they host the AFC East leaders, the Buffalo Bills, next Sunday. Initially opening as home underdogs, the team is gearing up to measure its performance against a tough opposing offense now featuring Amari Cooper.