Despite losing 68 yards to penalties, the Seattle Seahawks defense pressured the Los Angeles Chargers throughout the contest, resulting in a 23-37 loss for the Bolts.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 33 passes for 293 yards and running back Austin Ekeler scored a running and passing touchdown along with accumulating 127 total offensive yards. Safety Derwin James made eight combined tackles.
The Chargers also lost 70 yards to penalties in the match-up.
“Getting those late hits on the quarterback and those holding calls,” James said. “We weren’t really never able to get into a rhythm.”
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Injuries plagued the match-up on both teams. Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson was carted off with a knee injury, linebacker Chris Rumph was sidelined in the fourth, and wide receiver Mike Williams sustained an ankle injury.
Quarterback Geno Smith made 20 passes for 210 yards and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin had four receptions for 67 yards. Rusher Kenneth Walker III had 168 rushing yards.
“I think we have guys all around that, given the opportunity, can step up and make plays,” Smith said. “I myself have received an opportunity and I’m getting the chance to go out there and thrive.”
Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray picked off the Seahawks early in the matchup, but the Bolts offense gained little yardage from their possession. Smith relied on the pass to advance, ultimately leading to their first touchdown.
Seattle forced the Charger’s offensive line off the field when safety Ryan Neal made an interception.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith completed 20 of 27 passes for 210 yards and earned two touchdowns against the Chargers @thelasentinel pic.twitter.com/GuSWtfnJFM
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) October 24, 2022
“I checked the release of it and then I got my eyes on the quarterback and kept getting my depth in my drop, kept squeezing to the hash and he was looking down the middle of the field,” Neal said.
The Seahawks offense started up on the Chargers’ 43-yard-line and Smith slung a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for a touchdown a few plays later.
On a third down, Herbert turned the ball over on a fumble and Seattle started their offense on the Charger’s 19-yard line. The Bolts’ defense forced the Seahawks to kick a field goal.
Despite being down 17 points at the end of the first quarter, the Bolts rallied throughout the second. Los Angeles gained first downs through passes, a 10-yard shot to Keenan Allen gave them the first-and-goal. A seven-yard rush by Ekeler put the Chargers on the board.
Two plays later, Smith fumbled and linebacker Khalil Mack recovered. The Bolts scored off the turnover with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams; this put the Chargers within three points of the Seahawks.
As the second quarter minutes ran down, Smith’s passing-game helped Seattle advance. He targeted Goodwin for a scoring 24-yard play and Seattle had a 24-14 advantage by halftime.
The Seattle defense held the Chargers to two first downs before maintaining a ten-minute possession and scoring a field goal in the third quarter.
“Knocking 10 minutes off of the clock, that’s offense working together with defense and that was really timely,” said Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. “It just showed that we have the ability to do some really cool things.”
The Chargers defense started strong with linebacker Troy Reeder and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day securing a safety. However, the Bolts’ defense allowed Seattle to score 10 more points.
The Los Angeles offense kept battling in the final minutes of regulation. Ekeler moved the ball with runs and receptions; he scored the Bolts’ final touchdown by catching a short pass from Herbert.
The Chargers have a 4-3 overall record and will have a bye week before battling the Atlanta Falcons on November 6.
