SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seahawks bounce back after a tough loss to Washington last week to defeat the winless San Diego Chargers, 30-23.
Down their starting running back Jadarian Price, back-up running backs Emmanuel Wilson and George Holani stepped in and stepped up.
Wilson finished the day with 81 yards and two touchdowns, while Holani finished with small, yet crucial 18 yards.
Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed also helped with the run game, picking up 33 yards, and running for a lightning-fast, 28-yard rushing touchdown.
When it came to the air, Darnold started off rough, with a strange first-play interception, just moments after the Seahawks’ defense picked off Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert -- the first time in NFL history, according to ESPN and Yahoo.
“Let’s go for three in a row next time, so we can get the ball back,” Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald said in a post-game press conference.
As the game rolled along, Darnold settled in, throwing for 168 yards and two touchdowns. That being said, Darnold was sacked three times.
Macdonald noted that protecting Darnold is something they need to work on.
As for receiving, Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to impress, catching five passes for 76 yards. The recently returned Tory Horton also caught a touchdown.
A major blow to the defense came with Leonard Williams’ departure. The experienced defensive tackle left the game early with an ankle injury.
“Doesn’t look serious right now,” Macdonald clarified.
Williams only recorded one quarterback hit in the entire game.
Despite all three sides of the team functioning well, including a strong defensive showing marked by a game-ending strip-sack by Uchenna Nwosu, seemingly endless penalties defined Sunday’s game.
Both teams combined for 30 flags -- just five short of the record the Seahawks set nearly 50 years ago against the Buccaneers.
The Seahawks will need to clean up their penalties, turnovers, and lack of quarterback protection ahead of Sunday, as the team faces the currently undefeated San Francisco 49ers.
That game is scheduled for next Sunday, Oct. 11, with kickoff slated for 1:25 p.m. at Lumen Field.
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