The Seahawks offense got off to a slow start in Sunday's season opener against the Broncos after the Seahawks first drive started with a sack on Geno Smith and on the very next play his pass was intercepted. The next two Seahawks offensive drives started with a false start and a holding penalty, respectively.
Seattle went into the locker room down 13-9.
Coming out of halftime of Sunday's matchup, the messaging in the locker room from quarterback Geno Smith was, "just stay poised, stay calm." Smith adding that, "I felt like if we just settled down, just played our game, we'd come out on top and there was no panic in the locker room. I thought everyone was poised. I thought the demeanor of the guys was great all the way throughout and it allowed us to go back into that second half and get things rolling."
And getting things rolling meant holding the Broncos to a 3-and-out on their first drive of the third quarter, and the Seahawks putting together a 61-yard scoring drive immediately after. At the forefront of that drive was running back Kenneth Walker III who had 53 of the 61 yards on that drive, and ran the ball in for a 23-yard touchdown, Jason Meyers finished off that drive with a successful point after. Walker finished the day with 103 rushing yards and one touchdown.
"We talked about it," Walker said. "[Ryan] Grubb and O-line knew too and they had great blocks and made it easier for me. O-line, tight ends, wide receivers. They made my job easier."
After Walker's touchdown, the offense seemed like it had a new spark. After only having 102 total net yards in the first half, the team finished with 304 total net yards and three touchdowns.
"K9, Ken Walker, was a beast today," Smith said. "Really set the tone for us. Zach got in there and did his thing. Once the run game opened up it allowed us to then get into some of our tempo stuff and pass the ball. Then you start to see our offense really come alive."
Although he was with the defense during halftime, Macdonald said that there were talks on making sure the run game was a priority.
"We knew we wanted to put more emphasis on the run game," Macdonald said on the half time adjustments. "But some of the game plan stuff we had to make some adjustments on without getting into like the telling everybody what we're thinking. But those guys, credit to those guys. Understood what we had to do, made the adjustments, and emphasis more in the run game. Give it to K9 (Kenneth Walker III), let him do his thing. That's how we're going to have to operate. If we're going to be successful, teams are going to take things away, and you need to be able to move and shake in game to be able to move the ball on the ground."
Two of the Seahawks running backs had touchdowns today with Zach Charbonnet scoring in the fourth quarter. Charbonnet said Walker, "Was definitely electric. I've got to give a lot of credit to him and the Os-line up front. Kenneth (Walker) is a playmaker and that's what he did. He brought sparks to the offense in the second half."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 1 game versus the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) and Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Coby Bryant (8) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) and Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
