On an afternoon filled with [so many emotions surrounding the game's final play](/news/articles/article-1/Emotions-finally-get-the-best-of-Russell-Wilson/645b9ea3-8dd9-4c1e-b78a-f5e91a3ecf04 "/news/articles/article-1/Emotions-finally-get-the-best-of-Russell-Wilson/645b9ea3-8dd9-4c1e-b78a-f5e91a3ecf04
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In Seattle's 28-22 NFC Championship overtime win against the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday, the Seahawks running back carried 25 times for a franchise postseason-best 157 yards. Lynch topped the previous playoff record of 140 yards he had set in last year's divisional-round win over the New Orleans Saints.

"Marshawn had a great day," said Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. "I thought he was just phenomenal running with the football."

Of Lynch's 157 yards against the Packers, 120 of them came in the second half and overtime. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry and had eight runs of 11 yards or more, including a long of 24 with 93 seconds to play in regulation - a touchdown run that gave the Seahawks a 20-19 lead, their first advantage of the day.

"That's what makes him the best runner in the National Football League," Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said postgame. "He finds ways to make holes, he finds ways to get into the end zone, and I'm glad he's on our team. I'm glad that he can fight for us and make so many plays."

Lynch's play against the Packers defined his "Beast Mode" byname. Carroll recalled one instance in the game's fourth quarter when the Seahawks faced 3rd-and-6 from their own 44-yard-line. Lynch broke a Green Bay tackle and powered his way up the middle into Packers territory, driving defenders for extra yardage while Seahawks offensive linemen pushed the pile from behind for what amounted to an 11-yard gain.

"He looked explosive again, he looked fast, his attitude is always there," Carroll said of Lynch's latest performance that the Seahawks offense relies on. "He was able to take advantage of space and sometimes no space. Somebody had a stat – I don't know these numbers – yardage after initial contact in this game was really high. No kidding, look at the film – he just would not go down."

Lynch's mere presence also posed a problem for the Green Bay defense. That's what wide receiver Jermaine Kearse called out when asked about the final play of overtime, when Wilson was able to audible into the eventual 35-yard game-winning score to Kearse, all because of the influence Lynch provides.

"We had a run play and you saw how many people were lined up in the box - the whole team minus me and the defender," said Kearse. "That just shows the impact that he has on the game. Players respect him enough to put 10 guys in the box just to stop one player."