The Seahawks won their fourth George Halas Trophy in franchise history on Sunday, and a standout running back helped lead them to an NFC Championship victory yet again. In the 2006 NFC title game, Shaun Alexander rushed for 132 yards and two TDs. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 109 yards and a TD in the 2014 NFC Championship Game, and 157 yards and a TD in the 2015 conference title matchup.

Now, Kenneth Walker III joins two other Seahawk legends as a key RB force who boosted the Seahawks to a Super Bowl berth. He totaled 111 yards from scrimmage in the second win of the season over the rival Rams, and he opened the scoring with a two-yard TD run at 9:57 of the first quarter.

With backfield partner Zach Charbonnet out due to a knee injury, Walker knew he must carry a larger load against a Los Angeles defense that would be prepared to contain him. Yet he was fully ready for his 23 touches from scrimmage, or anything else he was asked to do.

"I feel like I was going to feel fresh either way, working on my routines and sleeping and eating well," Walker said.

Throughout this current postseason, Walker has been a crux of the Seahawks offense, keeping the sticks moving both as a runner and receiver, and easing pressure on Sam Darnold while also making the play-action passing game click. According to Pro Football Focus, Walker has totaled 256 total yards and four TDs on 45 touches, with eight explosive plays during the current playoff run.

The running game was again instrumental in a huge victory, and Walker said it was very rewarding that the Seahawks RBs elevated the offense on the way to winning its first NFC Championship in 11 years.

"It means a lot," Walker said. "Because we harp on the run game a lot, and during the season, we really wanted to help the pass game. It means a lot to see our work paying off."

Charles Cross said that utilizing the running game effectively at important times kept the offensive drives flowing and wore down the Rams defense more.

"I thought it was demoralizing for the defense," Cross said. "They want to go three-and-out each drive, so just being able to keep the ball moving forward and go on long drives, and being able to reach the end zone is huge."

Walker and the offense gained instant momentum against the Rams on the Seahawks' very first possession of the game. The first series went 81 yards in seven plays, capped by the Walker TD run. It was the third consecutive run by him on the drive after Rashid Shaheed (51 yards) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba set up the scoring run on consecutive receptions.

"We're hard to stop when everyone's clicking," Walker said. "The whole line doing their job, the receivers doing their job, running backs and tight ends. We're hard to stop because we have so many weapons."

On the Seahawks' final drive, which took 4:29 off the clock in 11 plays, Walker was a pivotal performer. He touched the ball three consecutive times to start the series, including a 15-yard reception that moved the offense from the Seahawks' 10-yard line to the 25. His six-yard run to the Rams' 43 continued to drain the clock, with just over two minutes remaining.

On the last drive, Walker had six of the first eight touches as the Seahawks' final lead was preserved. Mike Macdonald said throughout the game, the RBs helped set up ideal offensive balance. Darnold's late 15-yard pass to Walker was a prime example of how the QB was using all of his targets to move the ball through various methods.

"I think it's an example of you can't press and try to go hunt or force your way to make plays. What you can do is just keep playing on a play-by-play basis and go through your reads and go through your progressions," Macdonald said. "We {have} great players. When the ball finds them they're going to make plays for us."

On the second scoring drive, George Holani, who filled in well for Charbonnet as the complement to Walker, contributed with a notable 13-yard reception. Holani operated well as a pass-blocking back and receiving option on third downs and in passing situations. He caught three of his four targets for 27 yards.

"You know, you talk about all the running backs that stepped up, George Holani stepping up for Charbs the way that he did tonight was huge," Darnold said. "Obviously Ken doing this thing."

As the Seahawks constructed their final TD drive, Walker continued to show that when the offense needed a crucial play, he was ready to handle business again. His 11-yard run on third-down-and-9 kept the offense moving. Cooper Kupp caught a 13-yard TD pass five plays later.

"We popped a couple runs and then stayed aggressive with some of the passes," Macdonald said. "It was awesome."

Throughout the game, Walker made the most of his touches, rushing for 62 yards on 19 carries. He showed off all the traits that make him a dynamic performer, juking, cutting and pushing the pile when it mattered most.

""You can't explain the impact he has, when he has the ball and he doesn't have the ball," Jake Bobo said. "It's so fun to watch him work when he has the ball."

After the win, Macdonald said that while functioning as a pure feature back with the NFC title on the line, Walker delivered the kind of performance that can propel the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win.

"I'm happy for him. Just he just worked," Macdonald said. "Now he's had an opportunity to really carry the load and he's doing great job. We're going to need him for one more game."

Smith-Njigba indicated that as the Seahawks storm into Super Bowl 60, their offense can beat top opponents in so many ways.

"If we need the run game, the run game has won us games," Smith-Ngiba said. "The pass game has come up clutch and had done their thing. Whatever it takes, that's the mentality we have."

The Seahawks defense also appreciated Walker's outing, and how he was part of the significant drives that not only sparked the offense, but also gave the defense time needed to refuel. Coby Bryant said how Walker has played in the current postseason may just be a signal of more impressive performances to come. The Seahawks players on the other side of the ball were rooting hard for Walker to provide the type of performance he did.

"He's a special dude off the field and obviously a great running back.," Bryant said. The future is bright for him. We believe in him so much and it's exciting to see."

Walker said that he greatly valued the support of his teammates when asked to be a focal point of the offense, and he was willing to get the job done for his injured RB partner as well.

"It was unfortunate for Zach, but he knows we got his back and I know he got my back as well, "Walker said. " It feels good to know my teammates support me in that way to see me like that."

Now, Walker and Holani can eagerly take on their next major task, which is to help engineer the offense to a victory over the New England Patriots. He doesn't want to think any further into the future yet, even though teammates like Bryant are looking forward to more highlights from him beyond this season. Walker's next mission is a simple one to say, yet monumental in terms of achievement.

"I just really want to win the Super Bowl," Walker said.