Shocking Seahawks breakout is changing everything for Mike Macdonald

NFL: JAN 03 Seahawks at 49ers | Icon Sportswire/GettyImagesOn the first play of the NFC championship, the Los Angeles Rams' Kyren Williams ran left for four yards. Nothing special. Over on the right side of the alignment, Rams' rookie tight end Tarrance Ferguson locked up with Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori.

Neither figured into the play, but when it was over, Ferguson gave Emmanwori a shove, and Emmanwori responded with a low-key head butt. The message was clear. Nick Emmanwori was ready to play.

I’m calling him a safety because that is how the league views him, but Seattle’s star rookie lines up all over the field. He was on the defensive left edge on that first play. Then…