Studs and duds from the Seahawks' Week 3 win against the Dolphins
By Almar Reyes
STUD - Improvement from Zach Charbonnet
The Seahawks faced an early setback this season when star running back Kenneth Walker III suffered an oblique injury following their Week 1 victory. With Walker sidelined, the responsibility of leading Seattle’s ground game fell to sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet was thrust into a starting role with the expectation of keeping the run game afloat while Walker recovered. As a highly-touted second-round pick, the pressure was on for him to fill the sizable void left by the team's dynamic lead back.
Unfortunately, Charbonnet struggled in his first outing as the feature back in Week 2, failing to make a significant impact. The Seahawks’ run game lacked rhythm, and Charbonnet couldn’t find much success against the New England Patriots' stout run defense, which raised concerns about Seattle’s ability to move the ball on the ground without Walker. However, Charbonnet didn’t let his initial struggles define him, and he was determined to bounce back the following week.
In Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, Charbonnet made a statement. He looked much more comfortable as the lead back, rushing for an impressive 97 yards on 18 carries and scoring two key touchdowns that helped fuel Seattle’s 24-3 victory. Charbonnet ran with power, showing off his ability to break tackles and hit open lanes, something that had been missing in the previous game. His decisiveness and vision allowed the Seahawks to establish a ground attack, taking pressure off quarterback Geno Smith and keeping Miami’s defense off balance.
Charbonnet’s breakout performance in Week 3 showcased why the Seahawks were so high on him during the draft process. His ability to shoulder the load when called upon proved crucial to Seattle's success, and with Walker’s return still uncertain, Charbonnet’s emergence could lead to a more balanced backfield. Even when Walker is back in the lineup, this performance suggests that Charbonnet has earned a larger role in the offense.
For Seattle, Charbonnet’s big game demonstrated their depth on offense and the ability to adapt in the face of injuries. For Charbonnet, it may be the turning point in his young career, proving he’s ready to take on more responsibility as a key contributor to the Seahawks’ offense moving forward.