Kenneth Walker III's 29-Yard Catch Powers Seahawks to 30-24 Win Over Titans

When Kenneth Walker III caught a screen pass from Sam Darnold and turned it into a 29-yard gain, the crowd at Nissan Stadium fell silent. It wasn’t just a big play—it was the kind of explosive moment that shifts momentum, and on November 23, 2025, it helped the Seattle Seahawks escape Nashville with a 30-24 win over the Tennessee Titans. The victory improved Seattle’s record to 8-3, extending their winning streak to three games and keeping them firmly in the NFC playoff conversation.

Walker III Carries the Load—On the Ground and Through the Air

He didn’t just run. He exploded. On 18 carries, Kenneth Walker III gained 78 yards, averaging 4.3 per rush. But it was that 29-yard reception—his longest of the season—that stole the spotlight. The play came on third-and-8 in the third quarter, with the Seahawks clinging to a 23-21 lead. Darnold faked a handoff, rolled right, and fired a quick slant. Walker III caught it at the 40, juke-tackled a safety, then sprinted past two more defenders to the Titans’ 11-yard line. Three plays later, Sam Darnold punched in a one-yard touchdown. That sequence didn’t just score points. It broke Tennessee’s spirit.

Through 12 games this season, Walker III has become the engine of Seattle’s offense: 136 carries for 606 yards (4.5 average), four touchdowns. His backup, Zach Charbonnet, has been more of a change-of-pace option—105 carries, 350 yards, six touchdowns, but only 3.3 yards per carry. The numbers tell a story: Walker III is the workhorse. Charbonnet is the spark. And when Walker III’s on the field, the Seahawks move the chains.

A Line Back Together—Almost

The offensive line was supposed to be stable. That was the plan. Grey Zabel, the 24-year-old left guard from Overland Park, Kansas, returned after missing Week 11 with a knee sprain. He wasn’t 100%. But he was out there—jogging, stretching, snapping. As Andy Dickerson, Seattle’s offensive line coach, put it: “He’s not just back. He’s playing with a chip.”

But the absence of Ernest Jones IV, the 25-year-old Pro Bowl middle linebacker, was felt. Jones, who led the team in tackles last season, didn’t suit up due to an undisclosed injury. His absence left gaps in the middle, and the Titans exploited them—especially in the second half, when quarterback Will Levis carved up Seattle’s defense for two touchdown drives.

Meanwhile, center Damien Martinez remains on injured reserve. Without him, Seattle’s line has been shuffled like a deck of cards. Zabel moved from right guard to left. Rookie Cade Otton filled in at center. It’s messy. But it’s working. For now.

The Bigger Picture: A Team on the Rise

The Seahawks entered Week 12 at 7-3. They left at 8-3. And the schedule? It just got friendlier. Next up: the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field on November 30. Then the Atlanta Falcons on December 7. Then, on December 14, the New Orleans Saints.

“You got three games,” said CLNS Media analyst on November 24. “They’re not that difficult.” And that’s the scary part. If Seattle can win two of those three—and they’re favored in all— they’ll be 10-3 heading into the final three weeks. That’s playoff territory. That’s home-field advantage territory.

Coach Mike Macdonald has quietly built something here. Not flashy. Not loud. Just consistent. The Seahawks rank 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (118.4). Walker III is top-5 in yards after contact among running backs. And for the first time since 2020, Seattle has a running game that doesn’t just survive—it thrives.

What’s Next? The Road to January

The Seahawks aren’t done. Not even close. Their next challenge is proving they can win on the road against elite defenses. The Vikings have the league’s third-best run defense. The Falcons? They’re bad—but they’ve beaten good teams. And the Saints? They’re sneaky good.

But here’s the real question: Can Walker III stay healthy? He’s taken 136 carries in 12 games. That’s 11.3 per game. It’s a heavy load. And with Charbonnet and Holani showing limited explosiveness, Seattle’s offense leans on him. If he gets hurt, the whole machine slows down.

For now, though, the Seahawks are rolling. They’ve got a star running back. They’ve got a quarterback who’s playing smarter. They’ve got a defense that’s tightening up. And they’ve got a schedule that’s handing them a golden opportunity.