Seattle Seahawks 'Special' RBs Zach Charbonnet, Kenneth Walker Key For Offense, Says Geno Smith
The Seattle Seahawks currently sit at 5-3 this season and are coming off a 37-3 beatdown at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, a game in which Seattle managed just 28 rushing yards.
Any offense that produces that kind of number is going to struggle, but against the Washington Commanders at Lumen Field on Sunday the Seahawks will want to get the running game going.
For quarterback Geno Smith, it of course starts with getting running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet involved in the offense.
“When you talk about Zach [Charbonnet] and Ken [Walker] two dynamic runners," Smith said. "Two guys that we've got to continue to get them the ball. They’re big-time threats out there on the field, we see it each and every week what they can do with the ball in their hands. So, just getting them more touches, obviously got to convert on third down to keep drives alive so that you can do that, but when they have the ball they're special.”
Through the first part of the season, the Seahawks rank 23rd for rushing yards per game (97.3 yards), and have had 100-plus rushing yards on offense just four times. That needs to change if Seattle wants to accomplish its season goals.
Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet loom as key contributors against the Commanders.
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With so many weapons on offense, it is a little hard to fathom the struggles from Seattle at times this season.
With Walker and Charbonnet as the running backs, and DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the receivers, along with tight end Noah Fant, Smith has choices where he can go with the ball.
But poor red zone efficiency and third down struggles (converted just one vs. the Ravens) have halted promising drives. If the Seahawks can iron out their inefficiencies, then Smith thinks the offense can become what it knows it can be.
“If we can clean up on our inconsistencies then I think we can be even better,” Smith said. “But for the most part, we know what we have as far as talent, we know we have the coaches, we know the work we're putting in and how much effort every guy spends into making this offense really good. The key thing for us is to continue to believe, trust in one another, trust in the preparation, and then once the game comes go out there and execute and be who we are.”
The Seahawks get the chance to put the Ravens' loss in the rearview mirror on Sunday against a plucky Commanders team. While coach Ron Rivera's squad won't be a pushover, the expectation is that at home, Seattle will take care of business. Given the NFC West standings, a win is crucial in maintaining pace with the San Francisco 49ers.
And perhaps the key to bouncing back for the Seahawks is getting their two "special" running backs involved.
