For Pete’s sake: Seahawks that overpowered the Jets in Week 17

Running backs powered the Seahawks offense

A couple of stats really pop out in this game, and they both belong to Kenneth Walker III. With his very first play, he broke 1,000 yards from scrimmage, only the third Hawks rookie to achieve the feat. Don’t be lazy, 12s; if you don’t know the first two, google it for yourself. Back to Walker: that run was the Seahawks first play from scrimmage in the game, a spectacular 60-yard demonstration of speed and power. Two plays later, the Hawks took the lead they would never surrender.

Walker didn’t quite match that amazing start, but he continued to power Seattle’s offense throughout the contest. Walker finished with 133 yards on 23 carries. After that opening run, the Jets managed to contain him, as he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry after his amazing start. But that’s how averages work. You need enough opportunities for a big play to make up for the times the run gets stuffed. That’s why so many have complained that the Hawks have abandoned the running game too soon before. This time, the coaches kept running the ball, and it paid off with a  win.

That’s not to say that Walker was the only standout among the running backs. DeeJay Dallas may have had a better game than Walker. He was in for 43 percent of the Hawks offensive snaps and made the most of every chance he got. His 43 yards rushing was a season-high, and his 55 yards receiving was not only his best of the season but led the team Sunday. Best of all was the little five-yard flip he caught from Geno Smith and turned into a 41-yard backbreaker. Two plays later, the Hawks would push their lead to 14 points, and never really be challenged the rest of the way.

Since I brought up Mr. Smith, I want to point out how impressive he was in this game. No, his stats weren’t amazing; 18-29 for 183 yards isn’t going to take your fantasy team to the championship. But those two touchdown passes were beautiful. Even more impressive was the fact that Smith didn’t commit any turnovers. The Jets covered Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf like weighted blankets. Instead of forcing the ball as he has in the past few weeks, Geno found his tight ends and running backs over and over. His control of the offense was masterful.

This brings me to my initial point. Yes, the win is great for its playoff implications. But it’s far more important to see that Geno Smith is out of his funk, and absolutely must be re-signed to the team. Even before this game, I was solidly in the Keep Geno brigade, but this performance cemented it for me. In a game in which he could be expected to try to do too much, just to show his old team, he did exactly what the Seahawks needed him to do. In next year’s draft, Seattle can address the pass rush and the interior line, and leave the quarterbacking to Smith.