[sendtonews_embed video_id=”mdyxc4OI96-2309058-7498″]
The Seattle Seahawks will once again look to climb above the .500 mark with a win on Sunday. To do so, they will have to defeat their former AFC West foe, the Los Angeles Chargers.
From 1977 to 2001 the Seahawks and the Chargers shared the old AFC West division. But since the 2002 division realignment, these teams have only faced off five total times in the last twenty years.
During this interim, the Chargers have a slight edge on the Seahawks, having won three of the five games – including the last two. In these two games, the final margin of victory was not reflective of the Chargers’ dominance. Los Angeles/San Diego controlled the Seahawks, even managing to carve up the Legion of Boom at the height of their powers.
Despite the usual slew of yearly injuries for the Chargers, they are still sitting at 4-2 and a half-game behind the Kansas City Chiefs who own a head-to-head tiebreaker. Led by their dynamic young quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers provide a unique matchup for any defense.
Seattle’s defense showed signs of life last week by holding the Arizona Cardinals to three offensive points, while racking up six sacks and recording two turnovers. While last week was impressive, it seems unlikely to expect another suffocating performance against a much more talented and cohesive team like Los Angeles. I predict they will provide stiffer resistance, but ultimately they are outgunned.
As for Geno Smith and the offense, the Chargers secondary is suspect, but their pass rush led by Khalil Mack is ruthless. If Seattle can keep Smith cleaner than they did against Arizona, they’ll be able to move the ball. If not, it’ll be a long afternoon.
The Chargers have been a tough nut to crack for the Seahawks in recent years and I don’t see this trend changing this year.
Prediction: Chargers over Seahawks 26-21
[vertical-gallery id=95441]