All season the Seahawks have had their woes trying to put together a good game running the ball. Sure, there were flashes of big plays and good runs throughout the season, but as whole, running the ball more, and better was a point of emphasis for Seattle.
After having what offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said was Seattle's "biggest step in the run game," last week against the Jets, the Seahawks built upon that to put together their best showing, rushing wise, of the season.
On Sunday, the Seahawks, collectively rushed for 176 yards – a season best and the most rushing yards in a game for Seattle since their Week 18 game in the 2022 season against the Rams, when they rushed for 197 yards.
Being without their lead back Kenneth Walker III could have been a problem on Sunday, but Zach Charbonnet, along with help from Kenny McIntosh kept that from being true.
"Zach did a great job, we gave him a game ball," head coach Mike Macdonald said after the game. "(We) gave the offensive line a game ball. Just ran really physical and it's tough to tackle that guy in the open field. He's got speed and power, so (I'm) excited for him."
Charbonnet finished the day rushing for 134 yards on 22 carries, which included a 51-yard touchdown run. He also added 59 receiving yards on seven catches.
"I think everyone was just on point," Charbonnet said. "We really dialed into details this week. Receivers, tight ends, linemen especially, they just made it easy for me. We really just honed in and dove into the details and executed."
Charbonnet's 134 rushing yards were the most by any back since Walker's 167 yards in 2022 against the Chargers in Week 7.
"Ken is obviously a dynamite back and we would've loved to have him," Macdonald said. "But so is Zach [Charbonnet] and Kenny McIntosh has proved that he can run the ball effectively as well. We didn't feel like we needed to make any adjustments."
McIntosh finished the day with 38 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. McIntosh's biggest run came on a 16-yard carry.
"It was a statement," McIntosh said on his game today. "I knew I had to be there for my teammate. One of my brothers was down, Ken Walker. I knew I had to step up my role out there, especially to help my boy Zach…So I had to go out there, play my role to the highest level I could today for my team."
McIntosh said that he wasn't surprised by how the run game was able to get going on Sunday.
"We have a great [running back] room. It's not surprising because guys knew it since preseason, but now we were able to show it today. One man goes down, the next one is up. That's all that is, brotherhood. That's how I look at it."
Geno Smith was confident in the game plan and his running back room heading into the matchup because of the "demeanor" of the team.
"We've had a bunch of different guys step up for our team throughout the year, and that's just as a result of coaching really, and culture. It starts with the coaching, though. The coaching staff does a great job at making sure guys are prepared, and all the guys not just the starters. Then when you get guys who step in and step up, Zach [Charbonnet] has always been a great player. He's had so many tremendous games for us, and we were confident in him the entire time. We know what Zach can do."
The offensive line also played a huge role into the Seahawks' ability to run the ball so well on Sunday.
"They just made it easy for me," Charbonnet said. "All I had to do was make a dude miss and it was able to work like that. I give all the credit to those guys upfront."
McIntosh added, "I have to give them all the credit. That gap scheme, counter scheme it was working all night. The defense wasn't able to get penetration and the [offensive line] was doing their thing out there. I salute all five of them."
The Seahawks pulled off another road victory to extend their win streak to four games after beating the Arizona Cardinals for the second time this season. Check out some of the best scenes from the team's postgame celebration.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks offensive line coach Scott Huff celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde and tackle Charles Cross (67) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) and defensive coordinator Aden Durde celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) celebrates the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrate the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
