Top 2 Rushing Matchups
Seattle vs LA Rams- Neutral
The Seahawks suffered a brutal injury last week as Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL, which puts the running responsibilities solely on Ken Walker III for the remainder of the playoffs. Despite Charbonnet getting injured early in the game, no other running back saw significant snaps in the 41-6 blowout, as the only other running back to have carries was converted wide receiver Velus Jones Jr, who had six carries for 10 yards. Meanwhile, Walker was outstanding as he had 116 yards on 19 carries for three touchdowns. Seattle also suffered a critical offensive line injury that is worth watching, as left tackle Charles Cross suffered a foot injury and has not practiced either Wednesday or Thursday. If he’s unable to go, that would be a critical loss for Seattle, as his backup, Josh Jones, is also dealing with a knee and ankle injury and did not practice either Wednesday or Thursday. We’re not done there. The third string left tackle, Amari Knight, also did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday as he is also dealing with a knee injury. This is a massive issue for Seattle, as if they’re not able to have one of these guys ready to go, they’re going to rely on 2025 seventh-round rookie Mason Richman to get the start this week, which is relying on a player who has not taken a snap all season. The good news, if there is any, is that typically run-blocking is going to be easier to jump into, and the drop off will be less severe. So you could see Seattle go with a more run-heavy scheme and try to wear down this elite Rams defensive line and pass rush.
The Rams' rushing defense was trending in the wrong direction heading into the playoffs, but it has corrected with two solid performances. In Weeks 16 and 17, Bijan Robinson and Kenneth Walker both topped 100 yards against Los Angeles, but through the first two games of the playoffs, they’ve held Carolina and Chicago to an average of just 85.5 total rushing yards and just 3.4 yards per carry. The issue that they face this week is that in both meetings this season, Walker has found success as he ran for 100 yards on just 11 carries in Week 16 and 67 yards on 16 carries in Week 11. As talented as the Rams defense is, it is a defense that is designed to rush the passer, and when they’re spread out in their nickel package, it is when they have had issues stopping the run. While both safeties Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake are excellent run-stoppers, they often move Lake down to the slot corner as he’s played there on 64% of plays, which brings in Kamren Kinchens, who is a 2024 third-round pick. Kinchens is a coverage specialist who provides much-needed help to the corners, but has struggled to stop the run at times this year. Along the defensive line, when they take Poona Ford out and bring 2024 second-round pick Braden Fiske into the game, issues arise. Fiske is a decent pass rusher, but has been one of the interior run-stoppers in the NFL over the last two seasons, which puts additional pressure on the linebackers who have played well, but are not the ultra-athletic caliber of a first or second-round linebacker, as Nate Landman and Omar Speights were both undrafted players in the 2022 and 2024 drafts.
New England at Denver- Tough