The Seahawks are built to throw right now, and Sunday against the Chargers looks like the kind of game where they should lean into that instead of fighting it.
Last week was a clear reminder of what happens when Seattle tries to force the run. Sam Darnold dropped back 46 times, while the Seahawks ran it only 17 times. That’s not the identity they want long term, but with the way the roster is set up at the moment, it may be the cleanest path against Los Angeles.
The backfield situation is part of the problem. Jadarian Price is clearly dealing with a chest injury and might not play at all.
Zach Charbonnet can’t return until Week 5 at the earliest. George Holani is less than 100% because of a rib injury and is limited even when he’s healthy.
Emanuel Wilson, meanwhile, is basically a replacement-level power back. That’s a tough group to ask to carry a run-first plan.
If Seattle keeps trying to pound the ball with that mix, the result could be a lot of stalled drives and punts. The better answer is to throw early, build a lead, and then use the run to close things out later. In other words, play like a West Coast offense.
That approach also makes sense because opposing defenses keep treating the Seahawks as a team they can challenge in the box. Even after Darnold returned last week, defenses kept loading up against the run. They seem willing to live with Jaxon Smith-Njigba putting up huge numbers if it helps them take away Seattle’s ground game.
The Chargers could take the same approach. They like to stack the box too, and if they do it again on Sunday, Seattle’s response should be simple: keep throwing until they stop crowding the line, or until the game is out of reach. The Seahawks can’t afford to keep running into a wall.
And this isn’t a one-man passing game. Smith-Njigba is doing things that very few receivers in NFL history have done, but Seattle has enough around him to support a more pass-heavy plan for a game or two. Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo and even Cooper Kupp can all help in a higher-volume attack.
There’s another reason to trust the passing game: protection. Through three games, Seattle has allowed just three sacks, and one of those came on an end-of-half hail mary blitz.
The run blocking hasn’t been nearly as steady, especially in last week’s game against Washington. Right now, these are pass blockers.
The Seahawks should act like it.
In Other News...
Seahawks Backfield Concern Grows As Key Defender Trends Toward Return
The Seahawks Thursday injury report brought a little clarity on the back end and a few more questions in the backfield. Safety Ty Okada was limited, and Julian Love was also listed as limited, though Love is expected to play against the Chargers. Seattles running back room, meanwhile, kept drawing attention, with rookie Jadarian Price sidelined by a chest injury and George Holani limited in practice.
Zach Charbonnet was back on the field in a limited capacity after working his way back from an ACL tear, a sign the Seahawks are at least moving him closer to availability. He is not yet eligible to play in games, but his return to practice adds another layer to a backfield that already looks thin at the moment, especially with Seattle still sorting through who will be available when the Chargers come to town. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Rushing Struggles Point To A Bigger Offensive Concern
Seattles rushing problems have become one of the clearest signs that the offense is still trying to find its footing. The Seahawks are averaging 101 rushing yards per game, a drop from what they had hoped to establish, and the reasons are layered: the loss of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Kenneth Walker IIIs absence, injuries to other ball-carriers and the usual ripple effects that come with quarterback instability.
Even with that uneven ground game, the offense has still managed to put up 25 points per game on average, which is part of why the bigger concern feels less like a collapse than a work in progress. The expectation around the team is that the rushing attack should improve as the pieces settle, but for now it remains tied to a larger question about how quickly Seattle can regain consistency across the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Get Encouraging Injury News Before A Bigger Chargers Test
The Seahawks got a useful midweek lift as they worked through practice preparations for a bigger Chargers test. Zach Charbonnet opened his practice window, a meaningful step as Seattle continues to manage its backfield, while Ty Okada was back in limited work after missing time. The rest of the injury report brought a familiar mix of limited and full participation, giving the coaching staff a better sense of who might be available as the game plan comes into focus.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, had a more uneven day on the field. Some Chargers players were back to full participation, but Derwin James and Ladd McConkey did not practice after being limited the previous day, a sign that the situation still bears watching on both sides of the matchup. For Seattle, the encouraging developments are helpful, but the real test will be how much of that progress carries into a game against a Chargers team that is still sorting out its own health. [Read more 🡒]