Grading the Seahawks’ 37-23 victory over the Chargers
Published 5:18 pm Sunday, October 23, 2022
Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 37-23 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium:
OFFENSE
Ken Walker III is the real deal. The rookie running back has been everything the Seahawks could have hoped and more since taking over for the injured Rashaad Penny, and he was unstoppable Sunday with 168 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-clinching 74-yarder in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Geno Smith didn’t have his sharpest day, yet still completed 74% of his passes and threw two TDs. A pair of turnovers made life a little more difficult, as did getting stuffed on the run for a safety. But with 37 more points Seattle’s offense is rolling.
Grade: B+
DEFENSE
The question about the Seahawks was whether last week’s strong defensive effort was real or a one-time blip. Sunday’s performance suggests the improvement is real. Seattle came up with two big takeaways that led to scores. The Seahawks made stops on the two Los Angeles fourth-down attempts that mattered. There was a small blip in the second quarter after Seattle lost receiver DK Metcalf to injury and the whole team seemed to be affected. But the defense quickly recovered, and the Chargers’ last touchdown drive was an inconsequential one in garbage time.
Grade: A-
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Jason Myers has been a rock this season, and his good work continued as he made all his kicks, including two long field goals. There was one mental mistake on punt coverage when Joey Blount blew up the returner before the ball arrived (and who had called for a fair catch anyway), and letting a punt bounce and allowing the Chargers to down it at the 2 instead of catching it was partially responsible for the safety. The offense’s success is leaving punter Michael Dickson with little to do.
Grade: B
COACHING
There was some questionable handling of timeouts in the first half, including coach Pete Carroll losing a challenge that would have resulted in modest benefit, and the second-quarter decision to run a pitch play to receiver Dee Eskridge (who fumbled) instead of sticking with Walker backfired. But otherwise the coaches nailed this one. They adjusted to the loss of Metcalf well through a steady diet of passes to the tight ends and Tyler Lockett. And on defense the coaches created an environment where Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had nothing to throw at down the field.
Grade: A-
OVERALL
Things sure are getting interesting for Seattle. Despite being 3-3 coming into the week, there was little belief around the league that Seattle was anything special. But by beating the Chargers the Seahawks got their first victory against an opponent with a winning record, and they did it on the road. It could be a bit of a Pyrrhic victory, depending on the seriousness of Metcalf’s injury. But at 4-3 Seattle finds itself in first place in the NFC West, and a victory in next weeks’ home game against the New York Giants would elevate the Seahawks into NFC contender territory.
Grade: A-
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
