Two teams enter Lumen Field coming off losses they believe should have been wins. The Chargers blew a lead and five takeaways in Buffalo to drop their third straight game to start the season. Seattle fell to a woeful Commanders team that made the big plays in the big moments, something the Seahawks are accustomed to doing themselves. Another loss for the Chargers and their season is basically over. A second straight loss for the Seahawks to a winless team would leave them in a challenging spot with a gauntlet of games ahead.
Seattle got some tough news when running back Jadarian Price reinjured his chest in practice and was placed on injured reserve. Velus Jones Jr. was signed to the 53-man roster to take his place. Price was the most explosive back on the team through three weeks, but had also struggled with ball security. Zach Charbonnet opened his practice window, but is not eligible to play in a game until next week, and will likely need longer than that to be ready.
Emanuel Wilson and George Holani take the spotlight in the backfield in the meantime. They each bring different things, with Wilson having the most success as a starter when Josh Jacobs was injured for the Packers last season.
This Chargers team has struggled so much on offense that Seattle has reason to hope they will not need to score many points to win. Justin Herbert has the potential to get hot and make difficult throws. He has not taken to new offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel’s, offense yet. The pass protection has been awful as well.
Most national pundits expect a blowout Seahawks win. The oddsmakers have Seattle as more than a touchdown favorite. This game is more dangerous than that implies. The Seahawks defense needs to play to their standard. Sam Darnold needs to protect the football.
Lineup Notes
Not only is Price out, but the Seahawks elevated cornerback Trevon Diggs for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized as the corner room has played relatively well. Maybe there is some thought of using different players at deep safety or rotating Diggs in with Jobe of Nehemiah Pritchett. Julian Love is set to return after a one-game absence, and Ty Okada may make it back after missing the first three games of the year.
Los Angeles is missing both of their starting tight ends, and a lot of their offensive line. Ladd McConkey has been their best receiver, but he was hurt this week and is questionable for the game. Do-everything safety, Derwin James is also questionable.
Team Overview
Seahawks vs Chargers SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON |  vs |
| SCORING & TURNOVERS | SEAHAWKS | Advantage | CHARGERS |
| POINT DIFFERENTIAL | 7th+8.3 | 30th-10.7 | |||
| TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL | 17th+0.0 | 17th+0.0 |
| NET EPA / PLAY | 4th+0.207 | 30th-0.204 | |||
| NET SUCCESS RATE | 2nd+10.5% | 26th-4.5% | |||
| NET ESCAPE RATE | 9th+4.0% | 14th+1.0% |
| TOTAL DVOA | 6th+19.6% | 31st-34.9% | |||
| SPECIAL TEAMS DVOA | 15th+1.0% | 29th-7.6% |
Every clear edge on this graphic belongs to the Seahawks, 5 of 7 rows. 2 are close enough to call even.The Seahawks rank 4th in net EPA per play (+0.207). The Chargers rank 30th (-0.204). The Seahawks rank 6th in total DVOA (+19.6%). The Chargers rank 31st (-34.9%).
Even with five takeaways in Buffalo last week, the Chargers are even in turnover differential on the season.
Styles Make Fights
Seahawks Offensive Style SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| TENDENCIES Rank in parentheses is how often they use it, not how well | SEAHAWKS OFFENSE | Advantage | CHARGERS DEFENSE |
| EPA / PLAY | EPA / PLAY ALLOWED | ||||
| MOTION 59% of plays (14th) · 105 plays | 21st-0.023 | 10th-0.034 | |||
| PLAY ACTION 35% of dropbacks (3rd) · 35 plays | 1st+0.545 | 18th+0.156 | |||
| SHOTGUN 67% of dropbacks (29th) · 68 plays | 10th+0.184 | 28th+0.267 | |||
| UNDER CENTER 33% of dropbacks (4th) · 33 plays | 2nd+0.493 | 4th-0.271 | |||
| SCREEN 11% of dropbacks (6th) · 11 plays | 2nd+0.446 | 20th-0.034 | |||
| NO HUDDLE 2% of plays (29th) · 3 plays | 7th+0.496 | 31st+1.107 |
| EPA / RUSH | EPA / RUSH ALLOWED | ||||
| OUTSIDE ZONE 45% of runs (3rd) · 36 plays | 25th-0.268 | 7th-0.323 | |||
| INSIDE ZONE 16% of runs (15th) · 13 plays | 30th-0.469 | 16th-0.179 | |||
| POWER 15% of runs (3rd) · 12 plays | 17th-0.151 | 19th+0.025 | |||
| MAN 9% of runs (30th) · 7 plays | 23rd-0.226 | 11th-0.142 |
The Seahawks offense uses play action on 35% of dropbacks (3rd most), and it has worked: 1st in EPA (+0.545). The Chargers defense ranks 18th (+0.156), middle of the pack against it. The Seahawks offense uses outside zone on 45% of runs (3rd most), though it has not worked: 25th in EPA (-0.268). The Chargers defense ranks 7th (-0.323), one of the better defenses against it.
The Seahawks offense uses power on 15% of runs (3rd most), with middling results: 17th in EPA (-0.151). The Chargers defense ranks 19th (+0.025), middle of the pack against it. Seattle uses under center on 33% of dropbacks (4th most), and it has worked: 2nd in EPA (+0.493). The Chargers defense ranks 4th (-0.271), one of the better defenses against it.
Keep an eye on the screen game, which came to life in Washington last week. The Seahawks offense ranks 2nd in screen EPA (+0.446), and the Chargers defense ranks 20th (-0.034).
Chargers Offensive Style SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| TENDENCIES Rank in parentheses is how often they use it, not how well | CHARGERS OFFENSE | Advantage | SEAHAWKS DEFENSE |
| EPA / PLAY | EPA / PLAY ALLOWED | ||||
| MOTION 78% of plays (3rd) · 138 plays | 32nd-0.275 | 2nd-0.158 | |||
| PLAY ACTION 27% of dropbacks (10th) · 28 plays | 11th+0.196 | 9th-0.043 | |||
| SHOTGUN 85% of dropbacks (5th) · 88 plays | 28th-0.157 | 9th-0.042 | |||
| UNDER CENTER 15% of dropbacks (28th) · 16 plays | 24th-0.003 | 11th+0.012 | |||
| SCREEN 5% of dropbacks (27th) · 5 plays | 20th-0.400 | 31st+0.362 | |||
| NO HUDDLE 5% of plays (18th) · 8 plays | 28th-0.435 | 6th-0.363 |
| EPA / RUSH | EPA / RUSH ALLOWED | ||||
| OUTSIDE ZONE 36% of runs (9th) · 29 plays | 26th-0.325 | 2nd-0.388 | |||
| INSIDE ZONE 15% of runs (17th) · 12 plays | 27th-0.395 | 13th-0.216 | |||
| MAN 14% of runs (25th) · 11 plays | 31st-0.610 | 3rd-0.412 | |||
| PULL LEAD 9% of runs (5th) · 7 plays | 15th-0.122 | 9th-0.416 |
The Chargers offense uses motion on 78% of plays (3rd most), and they have increased their use of motion more than any other team, though it has not worked: 32nd in EPA (-0.275). The Seahawks defense ranks 2nd (-0.158) against it.
Very little has gone right on offense for the Chargers. Play action is their strongest mark.
Seahawks Offense vs Chargers Defense
Overview
Seahawks Offense SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| OVERVIEW DVOA from FTN; the rest from nflverse plays | SEAHAWKS OFFENSE | Advantage | CHARGERS DEFENSE |
| POINTS PER GAME | 13th25.0 | 20th25.3 | |||
| EPA / PLAY | 11th+0.051 | 19th+0.017 | |||
| SUCCESS RATE | 11th46.1% | 19th45.2% | |||
| EXPLOSIVE PLAY RATE | 13th9.6% | 14th9.0% | |||
| ESCAPE RATE | 18th39.8% | 18th41.7% | |||
| TURNOVERS | 19th4 | 2nd6 | |||
| DVOA | 15th-2.3% | 25th+10.5% |
| PASSING vs PASS DEFENSE | 4th+52.1% | 25th+24.0% | |||
| RUSHING vs RUN DEFENSE | 30th-38.6% | 24th-3.7% |
| EPA / PLAY | EPA / PLAY ALLOWED | ||||
| 11 PERSONNEL 33% of snaps (31st) · 58 snaps · 83% pass | 26th-0.175 | 28th+0.137 | |||
| 12 PERSONNEL 31% of snaps (8th) · 56 snaps · 62% pass | 7th+0.196 | 25th+0.179 | |||
| 21 PERSONNEL 25% of snaps (4th) · 44 snaps · 30% pass | 5th+0.145 | 3rd-0.709 | |||
| 22 PERSONNEL 6% of snaps (5th) · 11 snaps · 9% pass | 3rd+0.698 | NO PLAYS YET | no snaps |
The Chargers rank second in takeaways, but 5 of those came in one game. They are a friskier defense than the numbers indicate. Their offense has left them on the field and playing from behind most games. One thing to watch is their success defending two-back sets (3rd), given the Seahawks have used that on 25% of snaps (4th-most).
Passing game
Seahawks Passing Game SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| PASSING | SEAHAWKS OFFENSE | Advantage | CHARGERS DEFENSE |
| EPA / DROPBACK | 5th+0.285 | 24th+0.135 | |||
| DROPBACK SUCCESS RATE | 4th52.5% | 24th48.0% | |||
| EXPLOSIVE PASS RATE | 12th9.1% | 19th9.1% | |||
| COMPLETION % | 3rd68.7% | 22nd62.6% | |||
| INTERCEPTION RATE | 18th2.0% | 9th3.0% |
| PASS DVOA vs PASS DEFENSE DVOA | 4th+52.1% | 25th+24.0% |
| PRESSURE RATE | 6th22.8% | 21st26.5% | |||
| TIME TO PRESSURE | 1st3.15s | 27th2.84s | |||
| SACK RATE | 4th3.0% | 11th6.9% |
| EPA WHEN PRESSURED | 10th-0.125 | 30th+0.035 | |||
| EPA FROM A CLEAN POCKET | 3rd+0.628 | 8th+0.200 | |||
| QUICK PRESSURES (≤2.5s) | 13th43.5% | 30th35.0% |
| EPA / DROPBACK | EPA / DROPBACK ALLOWED | ||||
| 11 PERSONNEL 33% of snaps (31st) · 48 dropbacks | 26th-0.126 | 28th+0.203 | |||
| 12 PERSONNEL 31% of snaps (8th) · 35 dropbacks | 4th+0.509 | 28th+0.472 | |||
| 21 PERSONNEL 25% of snaps (4th) · 13 dropbacks | 1st+0.797 | 2nd-0.848 |
| EPA / DROPBACK | EPA / DROPBACK ALLOWED | ||||
| BASE 28% of their snaps (20th) · 17 dropbacks | 2nd+0.617 | 14th+0.136 | |||
| NICKEL 52% of their snaps (22nd) · 51 dropbacks | 14th+0.106 | 17th+0.039 | |||
| DIME 20% of their snaps (6th) · 34 dropbacks | 19th-0.165 | 16th+0.279 |
The Seahawks offense ranks 6th in pressure rate allowed (22.8%) and 1st in time to pressure (3.15s). The Chargers defense ranks 21st at creating pressure (26.5%) and gets there in 2.84s (27th). Sack rate: 4th (3.0%) against 11th (6.9%).
On paper the protection wins this phase. Watch whether the Chargers defense has to blitz to get home. They have not been willing to blitz much this year, and the Seahawks have destroyed the blitz when teams bring it.
The Chargers defense lives in nickel, 52% of its snaps. The Seahawks offense ranks 14th (+0.106) against it and the Chargers defense ranks 17th (+0.039).
The Seahawks offense ranks 4th in pass DVOA (+52.1%). The Chargers defense ranks 25th in pass defense DVOA (+24.0%).
Receiving game
Cooper Kupp ranks 9th in DVOA among WR3s (+36.5%). The Chargers defense ranks 26th against WR3s (+38.3%). The Chargers have some decent coverage players. The equation changes drastically if James is out or hampered.
Run game
Seahawks Run Game SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| RUNNING | SEAHAWKS OFFENSE | Advantage | CHARGERS DEFENSE |
| EPA / RUSH | 30th-0.208 | 12th-0.073 | |||
| RUSH SUCCESS RATE | 21st39.2% | 18th42.7% | |||
| EXPLOSIVE RUN RATE | 15th10.1% | 12th9.0% |
| RUSH DVOA vs RUSH DEFENSE DVOA | 30th-38.6% | 24th-3.7% |
| POWER SUCCESS | 31st11.1% | 16th66.7% | |||
| STUFFED RATE | 29th22.7% | 27th12.1% |
| EPA / RUSH | EPA / RUSH ALLOWED | ||||
| 11 PERSONNEL 33% of snaps (31st) · 11 rushes | 28th-0.228 | 26th+0.121 | |||
| 12 PERSONNEL 31% of snaps (8th) · 22 rushes | 25th-0.233 | 13th-0.092 | |||
| 21 PERSONNEL 25% of snaps (4th) · 31 rushes | 10th-0.129 | 3rd-0.535 |
| EPA / RUSH | EPA / RUSH ALLOWED | ||||
| BASE 28% of their snaps (20th) · 37 rushes | 21st-0.188 | 5th-0.285 | |||
| NICKEL 52% of their snaps (22nd) · 48 rushes | 15th+0.004 | 19th+0.029 | |||
| DIME 20% of their snaps (6th) · 4 rushes | no rushes | NO PLAYS YET | 14th+0.675 |
Every clear edge on this graphic belongs to the Chargers. Seattle came out trying to challenge the Commanders run defense (1st in DVOA) and it did not work. Their run game has not been efficient so far this year. They will need the offensive line to hit their marks and move people more than they have done consistently. The absence of Anthony Bradford has been felt, especially in short yardage.
Chargers key advantages on defense
They have the guys to plug the run, and have some dangerous pass rushers in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Abe Lucas has had two rough games and one good one. The offense needs him to lock in.
Seahawks key advantages on offense
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has no equal. Do not be surprised if the Seahawks target him earlier in this one, and continue to increase the involvement of their tight ends and fullback. There are some healthy parts of this offense, but the play calling has tended to feature their underperforming run game. Darnold has had an offseason to connect with Rashid Shaheed. This might the game where it finally shows.
Chargers Offense vs Seahawks Defense
Overview
Seahawks Defense SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| OVERVIEW DVOA from FTN; the rest from nflverse plays | CHARGERS OFFENSE | Advantage | SEAHAWKS DEFENSE |
| POINTS PER GAME | 29th14.7 | 3rd16.7 | |||
| EPA / PLAY | 31st-0.188 | 3rd-0.156 | |||
| SUCCESS RATE | 23rd40.7% | 2nd35.6% | |||
| EXPLOSIVE PLAY RATE | 16th9.0% | 2nd4.0% | |||
| ESCAPE RATE | 12th42.7% | 7th35.8% | |||
| TURNOVERS | 26th6 | 10th4 | |||
| DVOA | 26th-16.8% | 3rd-20.9% |
| PASSING vs PASS DEFENSE | 20th+2.6% | 9th-7.0% | |||
| RUSHING vs RUN DEFENSE | 11th-2.1% | 3rd-39.7% |
| EPA / PLAY | EPA / PLAY ALLOWED | ||||
| 11 PERSONNEL 43% of snaps (29th) · 76 snaps · 76% pass | 32nd-0.315 | 8th-0.114 | |||
| 21 PERSONNEL 31% of snaps (2nd) · 54 snaps · 37% pass | 9th-0.107 | 14th-0.159 | |||
| 12 PERSONNEL 13% of snaps (29th) · 23 snaps · 65% pass | 25th-0.182 | 3rd-0.300 | |||
| 22 PERSONNEL 5% of snaps (10th) · 8 snaps · 38% pass | 9th-0.083 | 4th-0.498 |
The Chargers offense lines up in 21 personnel on 31% of snaps (2nd most) and ranks 9th (-0.107) from it. The Seahawks defense ranks 14th (-0.159) against it. The Seahawks defense ranks 3rd in EPA per play (-0.156). The Chargers offense ranks 31st (-0.188). The Seahawks defense ranks 3rd in points per game (16.7). The Chargers offense ranks 29th (14.7).
This looks like a major mismatch on this side of the ball. It also feels like the Chargers are bound to play above this atrocious level at some point.
Pass game
Seahawks Pass Defense SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| PASSING | CHARGERS OFFENSE | Advantage | SEAHAWKS DEFENSE |
| EPA / DROPBACK | 28th-0.133 | 10th-0.032 | |||
| DROPBACK SUCCESS RATE | 29th38.5% | 8th42.6% | |||
| EXPLOSIVE PASS RATE | 17th8.3% | 1st2.0% | |||
| COMPLETION % | 28th54.2% | 11th59.6% | |||
| INTERCEPTION RATE | 29th4.2% | 2nd4.0% |
| PASS DVOA vs PASS DEFENSE DVOA | 20th+2.6% | 9th-7.0% |
| PRESSURE RATE | 27th34.6% | 12th31.5% | |||
| TIME TO PRESSURE | 13th2.61s | 16th2.58s | |||
| SACK RATE | 25th7.7% | 15th6.5% |
| EPA WHEN PRESSURED | 16th-0.281 | 14th-0.333 | |||
| EPA FROM A CLEAN POCKET | 30th-0.025 | 6th+0.174 | |||
| QUICK PRESSURES (≤2.5s) | 26th52.3% | 4th56.8% |
| EPA / DROPBACK | EPA / DROPBACK ALLOWED | ||||
| 11 PERSONNEL 43% of snaps (29th) · 58 dropbacks | 28th-0.214 | 10th-0.055 | |||
| 21 PERSONNEL 31% of snaps (2nd) · 20 dropbacks | 13th-0.160 | 20th+0.283 | |||
| 12 PERSONNEL 13% of snaps (29th) · 15 dropbacks | 23rd-0.100 | 7th-0.078 |
| EPA / DROPBACK | EPA / DROPBACK ALLOWED | ||||
| BASE 19% of their snaps (27th) · 4 dropbacks | 25th-0.095 | 25th+0.266 | |||
| NICKEL 69% of their snaps (9th) · 88 dropbacks | 28th-0.206 | 14th+0.005 | |||
| DIME 10% of their snaps (10th) · 15 dropbacks | 12th+0.271 | 4th-0.385 |
Every clear edge on this graphic belongs to the Seahawks,
Receiving game
One thing the Chargers have had some success with is 21 personnel. Alec Ingold ranks 9th in DVOA among RBs (+29.7%). The Seahawks defense ranks 25th against RBs (+42.2%). Ingold is the safety net for Herbert. Seattle has been terrible against screens (31st), but the Chargers have showed no interest in that part of the offense. Keaten Mitchell is explosive, though, and it would be a bad thing to see him in space.
Running game
Seahawks Run Defense SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| RUNNING | CHARGERS OFFENSE | Advantage | SEAHAWKS DEFENSE |
| EPA / RUSH | 31st-0.255 | 2nd-0.241 | |||
| RUSH SUCCESS RATE | 16th42.0% | 1st28.2% | |||
| EXPLOSIVE RUN RATE | 16th9.9% | 3rd6.4% |
| RUSH DVOA vs RUSH DEFENSE DVOA | 11th-2.1% | 3rd-39.7% |
| POWER SUCCESS | 17th66.7% | 4th50.0% | |||
| STUFFED RATE | 6th13.2% | 3rd25.9% |
| EPA / RUSH | EPA / RUSH ALLOWED | ||||
| 11 PERSONNEL 43% of snaps (29th) · 22 rushes | 32nd-0.495 | 9th-0.131 | |||
| 21 PERSONNEL 31% of snaps (2nd) · 36 rushes | 9th-0.092 | 9th-0.236 | |||
| 12 PERSONNEL 13% of snaps (29th) · 8 rushes | 28th-0.336 | 2nd-0.381 |
| EPA / RUSH | EPA / RUSH ALLOWED | ||||
| BASE 19% of their snaps (27th) · 31 rushes | 25th-0.235 | 3rd-0.401 | |||
| NICKEL 69% of their snaps (9th) · 41 rushes | 30th-0.300 | 6th-0.152 | |||
| DIME 10% of their snaps (10th) · 5 rushes | 14th+0.051 | 6th-0.068 |
The Chargers have two good running backs, who compliment each other’s skill sets. They just have not been productive behind this offensive line. Omarion Hampton has also fumbled a few times. Nobody has run the ball on this defense.
Chargers key advantages on offense
Herbert is a threat with his legs and his arm. He can take off on scrambles and be used on design QB sweeps. He can make some of the wild throws that Matt Stafford made against the Seahawks a year ago. McConkey is an excellent route runner if he’s on the field.
Seahawks key advantages on defense
The Seahawks defensive interior has a huge mismatch again. This is an injured an inferior offensive line. Seattle should create chaos. They need their coverage to cover well enough to allow the rush to get home. The secondary has the guys to stay with an injured and unimpressive receiving corps.
Special Teams
Seahawks Special Teams SEA vs LAC · 2026 REGULAR SEASON | vs |
| OVERALL Estimated points above average | SEAHAWKS | Advantage | CHARGERS |
| SPECIAL TEAMS DVOA | 15th+1.0% | 29th-7.6% | |||
| FIELD GOALS & XP | 10th1.5 | 30th-3.9 |
| KICKOFFS vs CHARGERS KICK RETURN | 26th-1.6 | 28th-2.1 | |||
| PUNTING vs CHARGERS PUNT RETURN | 3rd3.1 | 11th0.1 |
| KICK RETURN vs CHARGERS KICKOFFS | 30th-2.2 | 10th0.8 | |||
| PUNT RETURN vs CHARGERS PUNTING | 12th0.1 | 29th-2.1 |
The Seahawks rank have not been effective on kick coverage and Mike Macdonald was clear that was not acceptable. The Chargers have been decent on kick returns, so this is a good test. Los Angeles has also had trouble in the kicking game.
Key to a Chargers win
They need Herbert to look like a guy some believe is a top five quarterback in the league. He has not been close to that. They also need McDaniel to tap into some of the things that worked against Macdonald in Baltimore. Then they need a turnover or two on defense.
Key to a Seahawks win
Get some productivity from their backfield, either on the ground or through the air. That would open up a lot. Finding an explosive play or two would go a long way as well. Mainly, they need to get pressure on Herbert and force mistakes.