No one is playing better at running back than Kenneth Walker III is this season. No one. He's on pace for some ridiculous numbers, and he's completely flipped the NFL script after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason. The Seattle Seahawks couldn't have cared less on Sunday.
It was the league's leading rusher going against the league's leading run defense, which is now 36 games into a streak of not allowing an opposing running back to go over 100 yards on the ground. If anyone was going to snap that streak, it should have been Walker, but he was stonewalled at every turn.
In fact, Seattle's defense completely stonewalled every facet of the Chiefs' offense, which came as a complete surprise. That said, what may have surprised more was what the Seahawks did better than the Chiefs that should have been the other way around: Seattle's run game outclassed Kansas City's.
Seattle Seahawks' RB Emanuel Wilson outdualed the returning Super Bowl MVP
Going into Sunday night's showdown, the Chiefs had the league's best rushing attack with Walker, but it was Emauel Wilson, one of Seattle's depth running backs, who stole the ground show. On paper, and off, Wilson has no business outdueling Walker. That's not to disrespect Wilson, who has been rather good for Seattle this season, but film is film.
While the Seahawks defense held Walker to just 36 yards on the ground and zero touchdowns, the Chiefs offense gave up 100 yards to Wilson and a touchdown. It was Wilson's first 100-yard rush game of the season after combining for 303 yards in Seattle's first six games.
Wilson averaged 4.2 yards per carry against the Chiefs, and it seemed like every time he got the ball in the backfield, he was gaining significant yards. That was supposed to be Walker, and Wilson was supposed to be a non-factor.
In total, the Seahawks outgained the Chiefs on the ground 153-50, which is staggering given not only Walker's capabilities but Patrick Mahomes's as well, and the danger he poses when he's broken the pocket or scrambling.
This is just one game, of course, and it wouldn't be surprising if Walker goes for another 120 yards or more next week when the Chiefs take on the Denver Broncos in Week 8. The same cannot be said for Wilson, who may have just rushed for his only 100-yard game this season.
Nevertheless, the hype coming into Sunday's game between the Seahawks and Chiefs was centred on Walker's return. The Chiefs had the better run game, but Wilson and the Seahawks came out on top. If the Seahawks brass were standing pat on their decision to let Walker go as a free agent, you have to imagine they're standing even firmer on that decision.
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