01
Protect the football
Seattle's three turnovers in Washington became 21 points. The Chargers forced five takeaways in Buffalo, so ball security is the cleanest way to keep Los Angeles from hanging around.
Hawks War RoomWeek 4 · 2026
LACatSEA
Mad Mac response week
Seattle comes home after a two-point loss in Washington. The Chargers arrive 0–3, with an offense scoring 14.7 points per game. The biggest matchup is simple: protect the football, let the defense hunt, and keep feeding the NFL's hottest receiver.
Jesse's read
Seattle by multiple scoresA frustrated Seattle team gets the response spot at home.War Room forecast
SEA 30 · LAC 16Turnovers are the swing variable. Seattle owns the cleaner matchup profile.Our predictionsWeek 4 · Seahawks vs Chargers
Eight picks are in. Everyone has Seattle.
Barry P.SEA 30–16
KC A.SEA 31–10
Jeff C.SEA 27–20
Matt M.SEA 30–28
Taylor C.SEA 31–13
Steve M.SEA 33–16
Jesse P.SEA 31–9
Mark P.SEA 31–10
Group pick · 8 predictionsSEA 30.5 · LAC 15.3Average margin: Seattle +15.3
10 things to watchThe Sunday cheat sheet
Ten quick reads for what matters most once the game starts.
02
How the Chargers cover JSN
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 405 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Watch whether Los Angeles rolls safety help his direction or trusts single coverage.
03
Leonard Williams vs. Justin Herbert
Herbert has been sacked eight times through three games. Williams has a sack in every game, so Seattle's interior pressure has a chance to shape the entire afternoon.
04
Get the run game back
Seattle ran for only 44 yards in Washington. The Chargers have allowed 349 rushing yards through three games, which gives Brian Fleury a good spot to reestablish play action and heavier personnel.
05
Make Herbert solve the disguise
Seattle has allowed only 686 total yards all season. Herbert still has the arm talent to punish a coverage mistake, so the pre-snap and post-snap picture matters all game.
06
Find Ladd McConkey on third down
McConkey leads the Chargers with 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown, but he is questionable with a foot injury. Julian Love is cleared to return after practicing fully Friday, which should help Seattle handle motion, spacing and third-down communication.
07
Win in the red zone
The Chargers went one-for-four on red-zone touchdown chances at Buffalo and have scored 14, 14 and 16 points in their first three games. Force field goals and the matchup tilts hard toward Seattle.
08
Respect the Chargers' takeaway ability
Los Angeles lost in Buffalo despite forcing five turnovers. The defense has still created short fields, so Seattle needs to avoid giving them extra possessions.
09
Do not give away hidden yards
Special teams was one of Mike Macdonald's post-Washington focus areas. Field position and kickoff coverage are easy ways to give an 0-3 opponent momentum.
10
Step on them if Seattle gets ahead
If the Seahawks build an early two-score lead, watch whether Macdonald keeps pressure on Herbert rather than backing off. This is the spot to turn a response game into a comfortable win.
The matchupThrough Week 3 · 2026 regular season
SEA
LAC
Record
2–1
0–3
Points per game
25.0
14.7
Points allowed/game
16.7
25.3
Offense yards/game
367.7
308.7
Defense yards allowed/game
228.7
349.3
Net pass yards/game
266.7
195.7
Rush yards/game
101.0
113.0
Third down offense
33.3%
35.1%
Third down defense
26.8%
40.0%
Team passing figures are net passing yards, so sacks are included. Three-game samples still move fast.
Three numbers I keep coming back to
| Seattle total yards allowed | 686 · NFL No. 1 | SEA |
| JSN receiving | 405 yds · 6 TD | NFL lead |
| Herbert passing | 627 yds · 3 TD · 4 INT | LAC |
Players to knowWhere the matchup tilts
Seattle
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR | 405 yards · 6 TD · three straight 120+ yard games |
| Sam Darnold QB | 379 yards · 4 TD in Week 3, plus two interceptions |
| Leonard Williams DL | 3 sacks · 5 TFL · sack in all three games |
| Julian Love S | READY Full Friday · no game designation |
Los Angeles
| Justin Herbert QB | 627 yards · 3 TD · 4 INT · 73.4 rating |
| Ladd McConkey WR | 12 catches · 183 yards · 1 TD |
| Omarion Hampton RB | Listed as the starter in the Week 4 depth chart |
| Chargers defense Unit | Five takeaways at Buffalo despite the loss |
Final injury reportFriday · October 2
The biggest Seattle news is positive: Julian Love is back. The Chargers have four players ruled out and five listed questionable.
Seattle
| Julian Love S · calf | READY Full Friday · no game designation |
| Jadarian Price RB · chest | OUT Aggravated the injury Wednesday |
| Zach Charbonnet RB · knee | OUT Back at practice, but not eligible until Week 5 |
| Ty Okada S · hamstring | QUESTIONABLE Full participant Friday |
| Chazz Surratt LB · calf | QUESTIONABLE Limited Friday · new addition to report |
Los Angeles
| Kayode Awosika G · fibula | OUT |
| Charlie Kolar TE · forearm | OUT |
| Brenen Thompson WR · quadricep | OUT |
| Dalvin Tomlinson DT · hamstring | OUT |
| Donte Jackson CB · concussion | QUESTIONABLE Full Friday |
| Derwin James S · hamstring | QUESTIONABLE Limited Friday |
| Trey Lance QB · groin | QUESTIONABLE Limited Friday |
| Ladd McConkey WR · foot | QUESTIONABLE Limited Friday |
| Elijah Molden S · hamstring | QUESTIONABLE Limited Friday |
Love's return matters. He missed Week 3, practiced fully Friday and carries no game designation. Price is the notable new absence after aggravating his chest injury in practice.
The middle of Los Angeles' defense is worth watching. Tomlinson is out, while James and Molden are questionable. McConkey being questionable also adds uncertainty to Herbert's top receiving option.
The coachesMacdonald vs Harbaugh
Seattle
Mike Macdonald
Seattle allowed 258 yards in Washington but lost after three offensive turnovers became 21 points. The defensive identity still looks intact.
Los Angeles
Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers are 0–3 and talking openly about execution. Their defense generated five takeaways last week, so the danger is not the record. It is a short field.
The reunion
Macdonald vs. Harbaugh
Macdonald worked for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan before returning to Baltimore and later taking over Seattle. This is their first regular-season NFL matchup as head coaches.
Jesse's angle for the week is simpler: after the Washington loss, this feels like a response game.
Last meetingOctober 23, 2022 · SoFi Stadium
Most recent regular-season matchup
SEA 37LAC 23
Seattle ran for 168 yards from Kenneth Walker III and won by two touchdowns in Los Angeles. Sunday is the first regular-season meeting in Seattle since 2018.