The timing couldn’t have been better for the 25-year-old Walker, who is set to hit free agency this spring. The fourth-year back really stepped up for the Seahawks in the playoffs, rushing for four touchdowns in the two games prior to the Super Bowl and taking on a heavier workload after running mate Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the Divisional Round win over the 49ers and missed the remainder of the postseason.
Walker started cooking on the Seahawks’ fourth drive of the Super Bowl, with runs of 29 and 30 yards in a three-play span. The Seahawks settled for a field goal and a 6-0 lead on that series, and Seattle took a 9-0 edge into halftime, with Walker having more than half the offense’s yards (100 of 183).
After halftime, Walker ripped off a 20-yard catch and run to set up the Seahawks’ fourth field goal of the game. Then in the fourth quarter, Walker ripped off runs of 14 and 10 yards and helped the Seahawks take a 22-7 the Patriots couldn’t come back from.
Walker didn’t score a touchdown — at least not officially, anyway. He shredded the Patriots for what appeared to be a 49-yard TD cherry on top, but it was called back by a hold on center Jalen Sundell. But by that point, the game was academic.
The Patriots bottled up Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who left the game in the second half while being evaluated for a concussion, and held the Seahawks to 5.0 yards per pass attempt.
Walker accounted for 48% of the Seahawks’ offensive yards.
What made Walker’s night all the more impressive is that it was the most rushing yards allowed by a very good Patriots defense this season, including playoffs. He also totaled 111 yards or more in four straight games to close the season, including the Week 18 top-seed clincher against the 49ers.
Walker’s 135 yards were the second-most he’s ever had in a game, regular season or playoffs. His 29 touches in a game were also the second-most in his career, one behind a 30-carry effort in an overtime win over the Rams in 2023.
