Kenneth Walker III will step back into Lumen Field on Sunday night, but he will wear Chiefs red instead of Seahawks blue. Last season, Walker powered Seattle through the playoffs and earned Super Bowl MVP honors. Now he leads a Kansas City team that has started 5-0, while the defending champion Seahawks are trying to stop a two-game skid at 3-3. That reunion gives this Week 7 game a big story before the opening kick.

Walker has been the engine of Kansas City’s rebuilt attack. He has rushed for 665 yards and six touchdowns in only five games, using sharp cuts to turn small openings into long runs. He also scored twice in the Chiefs’ most recent win, a 22-6 victory over the Chargers. His running gives Patrick Mahomes more room to create, and Mahomes has thrown nine touchdown passes during the perfect start.

Seattle knows how dangerous Walker can be, but its defense has been tough against everyone. The Seahawks allow only 237.3 yards per game, a sign that they close lanes and make offenses work for every drive. Their challenge is keeping Walker from reaching the second level, the open space beyond the first group of defenders. If Seattle can slow him down, it can make Kansas City rely more heavily on Mahomes’ throws.

That is still a difficult task. Mahomes can fire quick passes to Rashee Rice, who is questionable with hamstring and knee injuries, or find veteran tight end Travis Kelce over the middle. Kelce is also questionable with an ankle injury, so their practice status will matter. Kansas City’s offensive line has a concern, too, with tackle Josh Simmons questionable and tackle Jaylon Moore dealing with a concussion. Seattle needs its defenders to use that chance and pressure Mahomes without losing track of his quick scrambling ability.

For the Seahawks, the path back starts with Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba has caught 49 passes for 717 yards and seven touchdowns, showing why he became last season’s Offensive Player of the Year. His smooth routes and strong hands make him Darnold’s clearest target. Darnold has thrown seven touchdown passes, yet his seven interceptions show why smart decisions are vital against a Chiefs defense allowing only 16.6 points per game.

Seattle’s rushing plan faces a major problem. Rookie Jadarian Price is on injured reserve and is not expected back until after this game, while Zach Charbonnet is still working his way back from a knee injury. The Seahawks may need Darnold and Smith-Njigba to carry more of the offense after close losses to San Francisco and Denver.

Lumen Field can roar like a storm, and Seattle’s defense gives the home team a real chance. Still, Kansas City has been steadier on both sides of the ball, and Walker adds another powerful chapter to its attack. The Chiefs should win this Sunday night showdown.

Kenneth Walker III Returns to Seattle as Chiefs Chase 6-0