Marshawn Lynch's name rarely comes up when putting together a short list of the best running backs in the NFL.
His game doesn't have the easy grace of Adrian Peterson, the flash of Jamaal Charles or the style of LeSean McCoy. He certainly doesn't lean on the media for self-promotion.
Lynch is just a throwback -- a punishing bulldozer who goes through opponents rather than around them. Lynch was in vintage Beast Mode against the New Orleans Saints in Saturday's divisional playoffs, wearing down an otherwise game Rob Ryan defense in a 23-15 win at CenturyLink Field.
Lynch finished with 28 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Of those yards, 108 came between the tackles, according to ESPN. He did it on a day when the weather was brutal, the passing game was non-existent and Percy Harvin's return was temporary. Pete Carroll needed Lynch more than ever, and his star delivered.
It was only fitting that Lynch delivered the decisive blow for the Seahawks. It came with 2:48 remaining, a 31-yard touchdown run in which Lynch bounced to the outside and dared a New Orleans defender to take him down. Nobody came close.
Fans in Seattle went mad, summoning memories of the iconic run three years ago that put Lynch on the NFL map and began the reign of Beast Mode.
"He just continues to crank it out for us," Carroll said. "You've got to love his last touchdown. That was maybe Beast Mode 2, I don't know. It was very cool. A cool way to end that game."
Russell Wilson might get the headlines, but Lynch is Seattle's heart on offense.
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