San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Time & Place
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Qwest Field
Seattle, WA
1:15pm PT
Regular Season Series: The Seahawks have won 5 of the past 6 meetings to take a 25-23 edge in the all-time series between these former AFC West rivals.
Notable Newcomers
San Diego: CB Fred Bennett, WR Patrick Crayton, LS James Dearth, TE Randy McMichael, QB J.T. O’Sullivan, CB Donald Strickland, OT Adam Terry
Seattle: Head coach Pete Carroll, OT Stacy Andrews, TE Chris Baker, DL Kentwan Balmer, DE Chris Clemons, FB Quinton Ganther, OTs Chester Pitts and Tyler Polumbus, RB Michael Robinson, RB Leon Washington, WR Mike Williams
2010 NFL Draft Class
San Diego
1.12 – RB, Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
3.79 – LB, Donald Butler, Washington
4.110 – S, Darrell Stuckey, Kansas
5.146 – NT, Cam Thomas, North Carolina
5.168 – QB, Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee
7.235 – TE, Dedrick Epps, Memphis
Seattle
1.6 – OT, Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
1.14 – S, Earl Thomas, Texas
2.60 – WR, Golden Tate, Notre Dame
4.111 – CB, Walter Thurmond, Oregon
4.127 – DE, E.J. Wilson, North Carolina
5.133 – S, Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech
6.185 – TE, Anthony McCoy, USC
7.236 – DE/LB, Dexter Davis, Arizona State
7.245 – TE, Jameson Konz, Kent State
Stats & Rankings (2010)
San Diego
Offense
Total: 3rd (433.0 yards)
Passing: 4th (303.0 yards)
Rushing: 6th (130.0 yards)
Scoring: t-5th (26.0 points)
Defense
Total: 8th (273.5 yards)
Passing: t-8th (170.5 yards)
Rushing: t-11th (103.0 yards)
Scoring: t-14th (17.0 points)
Turnover Ratio: t-6th (+2)
Seattle
Offense
Total: 23rd (290.5 yards)
Passing: t-19th (197.5 yards)
Rushing: 20th (93.0 yards)
Scoring: t-12th (22.5 points)
Defense
Total: 17th (316.0 yards)
Passing: 26th (259.0 yards)
Rushing: 5th (57.0 yards)
Scoring: t-16th (18.5 points)
Turnover Ratio: t-26th (-3)
Injury Report
San Diego
Doubtful: RB Ryan Mathews (ankle)
Questionable: LB Stephen Cooper (knee), LB Larry English (foot), LB Jyles Tucker (not injury related)
Probable: CB Quentin Jammer (foot)
Seattle
Out: LB Leroy Hill (calf/Achilles), T Russell Okung (ankle)
Questionable: DE E.J. Wilson (knee)
Probable: RB Quinton Ganther (knee), T Sean Locklear (knee), G Ben Hamilton (knee), LB Matt McCoy (quadriceps), G Chester Pitts (knee)
Vegas Says: Chargers -5 ½ (o/u 44)
Seahawks’ Keys to Victory
Bracketology – Seattle’s primary focus on defense will be six-time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates. In the absence of Vincent Jackson, Gates is off to a hot start this season, catching 10 passes for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns, which ties him for the AFC lead. Shutting down Gates will be a group effort, with Aaron Curry jamming him at the line, and veteran strong safety Lawyer Milloy covering him over the top.
Establish The Run – The Seahawks’ ground game showed signs of life against the Broncos. With the Broncos missing a few linebackers, this could be a good week to take some pressure of Matt Hasselbeck and let the running back committee control the clock and keep Philip Rivers on the sidelines.
Win the Special Teams Battle – San Diego’s return units were gashed in Week One, and in Leon Washington and Golden Tate, the Seahawks have two potential game-breakers in the return game.
Prediction
San Diego’s offense is without Pro Bowlers Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill, and their linebacker depth isn’t what it normally is. They still have Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and an opportunistic secondary, which may be all this perennial AFC West powerhouse needs on Sunday. The Seahawks will keep it close, but in the end, will come up a Nate Kaeding field goal short.
The Pick: Chargers 23, Seahawks 20
In addition to writing for NorthwestFootball.net, Brian McIntyre blogs daily at Mac's Football Blog. You can follow Brian on Twitter, and if you’d like to e-mail him, you can always do so by clicking here.
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