Seahawks' short-yardage threat: AJ Barner and the 'Barnyard'

"On the first possession of the extra period, Seattle was eyeing a sudden-death touchdown. The Seahawks needed less than a yard from the Rams' 16 to move the chains, but Kenneth Walker III was stuffed on third-and-1 and again on fourth-and-1. Penetration killed both plays, even as then-offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb fielded a heavy package on the second attempt. After the turnover on downs, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford ended the game with a four-play touchdown drive."

"Fast-forward to Week 16 of this season, when the Seahawks hosted the Rams with first place in the division and control of the NFC's No. 1 seed on the line. This time, it was Klint Kubiak calling plays. And this time, when the Seahawks faced third-and-1 in the third quarter, Seattle's offensive coordinator went to their new short-yardage weapon: the tush push. Or as fans have dubbed it, the "Barnyard.""

"Tight end AJ Barner took the direct snap, and with shoves from running back Zach Charbonnet and fullback Robbie Ouzts, picked up the first down. Walker ripped off a 55-yard touchdown on the next play, giving the Seahawks a 14-13 lead before they prevailed 38-37 in overtime. Barner has been one of the less-heralded factors in Seattle's offensive success, adding seven touchdowns during a second-year breakout. One of those scores came via the "Barnyard," which has"

Seattle converted a previous short-yardage weakness into a reliable weapon by adopting the tush-push, nicknamed the "Barnyard." A failed Week 9 overtime attempt saw Kenneth Walker III stuffed on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1, and the Rams finished the game on a four-play touchdown drive. In Week 16, Klint Kubiak called the Barnyard on third-and-1; tight end AJ Barner took the direct snap with shoves from Zach Charbonnet and Robbie Ouzts to pick up the first down. Walker followed with a 55-yard touchdown, and Seattle won 38-37 in overtime. Barner totaled seven touchdowns in his second-year breakout.

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