The Seattle Seahawks are officially Super Bowl-bound, with Sam Darnold and company getting the best of the bitter division rival Los Angeles Rams during an incredible all-out battle this past weekend in the NFC Championship Game.
Ahead of this playoff showdown with the Rams, the Seahawks received news that was a massive blow to their offense: running back Zach Charbonnet was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
As a result of Charbonnet being ruled out for the rest of the Seahawks’ postseason run, head coach Mike Macdonald turned to running back George Holani to help shoulder the load in the backfield alongside star Kenneth Walker III.
Mike Macdonald Praises George Holani
GettyGeorge Holani #36 of the Seattle Seahawks
Holani only carried the football three times for four yards against the Rams, but he did catch three passes for 27 receiving yards and clearly seemed ready for the moment, as it looked like he hadn’t missed a down despite being out for some time.
Macdonald raved about Holani’s ability to be ready, even though he had just come off injured reserve.
“It was remarkable,” Macdonald said of Holani. “He hasn’t played in how many weeks? Normally, when you got a guy coming off IR, they need some time to get ready to go, but tribute to him and our training staff for having him in shape. It just shows you just got to stay ready. All 70 guys, we need everybody because you never know what’s going to happen.
“When the opportunity presents itself, and you’re ready, something great can happen.”
Macdonald will need Holani ready to go in the backfield along with Walker in the Super Bowl, as they’ll be facing a tough Patriots defense that’ll be focused on containing the passing attack and limiting what damage star wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba does downfield after he torched the Rams’ defense for 153 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions.
Cooper Kupp on Matthew Stafford: ‘Unbelievable Competitor’
GettyLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford
After the Seahawks came out on top against the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford made sure to find his former teammate Cooper Kupp to urge him to go win his second Super Bowl title.
That postgame moment with Stafford was special for Kupp, as he admitted during his Monday media availability.
“That’s awesome,” Kupp said. “It’s Matthew. Just an unbelievable competitor, unbelievable football player. He’s one of the best to play the position. It’s just what it is. It’s really hard to be on the sidelines watching him with the football. It’s disheartening because you just know what he’s capable of.
“Obviously, so much love for him as a friend. For him, in that moment, to be able to linger out there on the field and come find me, it means a lot. That was a pretty cool moment.”
As he did during the NFC Championship Game, Kupp will be key to the Seahawks’ offensive game plan against the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald Sends Strong Message on George Holani Ahead of Super Bowl