Seahawks 'More Dynamic' with RB Committee?

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves at 2-1 after an impressive win over the short-handed Carolina Panthers on Sunday. There are plenty of accolades to go around but one reason for the win stands out above others.

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves at 2-1 after an impressive 37-27 win over the short-handed Panthers on Sunday. There are plenty of accolades to go around but one reason for the win stands out above others. The Seattle running game.

Coach Pete Carroll could've gotten spoiled after utilizing the talents of a back like Marshawn Lynch back in the day, but he's not around anymore. Lynch could virtually do everything you would want a back to do, with different styles.

But Lynch is long gone, and not available to Carroll and the Seahawks. The head has taken to a bit of running back by committee in order to change things up out of the backfield. That's helped Seattle early this season, but it paid off big time on Sunday against the Panthers.

Kenneth Walker / USA TODAY

Kenneth Walker carried the ball 18 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for another 59 yards. Fellow back Zach Charbonnet got his first real work of the season and posted nine carries for 46 yards, including a "beast mode" hit on Panthers' safety Sam Franklin Jr.

Carroll was able to utilize their different skills and abilities to complement each other. 

“If you mix your guys and feel confident about rotating them some to keep them fresh and to keep them really on their game sometimes you just see that things go one way or the other,” Carroll said. “And I always thought that was a real positive and made us more dynamic in that regard.”

Of course, Geno Smith had another brilliant day with 296 yards on 23-of-36 passing with a touchdown and an interception. DK Metcalf also had a strong outing with 112 yards on six catches. But it was the 146 yards on the ground for Seattle that opened up the passing opportunities for Smith and Metcalf.

If Carroll can maintain that balance in the rushing attack as he did on Sunday, the Seahawks could be in for a much-improved season.