The Seahawks came out of their last game looking like a team that had every break go the wrong way at once. Even with all that chaos, they still had a shot to extend their winning streak before the final drive slipped away.
That sets up an interesting Week 4 matchup with the winless Los Angeles Chargers. Seattle should have the edge on paper, but trap games have a way of showing up when you least want them to, and Jim Harbaugh’s group has enough pride and talent to treat this like a playoff game. If the Seahawks are going to avoid letting that happen, they may need a few unexpected names to tilt things in their favor.
Dante Fowler Jr. is one of them. He has been more of a background piece than a headline player so far, with just 39 defensive snaps over three weeks.
That’s a small role for a former Dallas Cowboys star, especially on a Seahawks pass rush that has plenty of bodies. But the Chargers’ offensive line has been a mess, and Fowler could finally get a chance to make his presence felt.
Even in limited action, he has looked solid, and if Seattle builds a comfortable lead, he could end up seeing more work than usual.
Cooper Kupp also fits the bill, even if his name doesn’t sound like much of a surprise at first glance. The Chargers’ cornerback duo is strong enough that they’ll likely spend plenty of attention trying to take away Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which has already proven to be a tall order for opposing defenses.
That should open things up for Sam Darnold between the numbers, where Kupp does his best work on short and intermediate routes. Nobody is expecting him to turn back the clock, but he still has big catches left in him.
Julian Love is another player the Seahawks badly need in this one, which makes “unexpected” a bit of a stretch. Still, he could wind up as the defensive difference-maker against Justin Herbert. With Mike Macdonald’s defense getting after the quarterback and Herbert’s decision-making becoming shaky when he’s under pressure, Love could be in position to make this a turnover-heavy night.
Then there’s Christian Haynes, who may have the most direct path to helping Seattle’s offense find some rhythm. The Seahawks’ ground game never really got going against the Washington Commanders, and the absence of right guard Anthony Bradford was part of the issue.
Haynes should have a full game to settle in this time, and Seattle may need him to help create movement up front if it wants its committee backfield approach to pay off. That matters against a Chargers run defense that just gave up 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns to James Cook.
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 🡒]