Emanuel Wilson powers Seahawks past Chargers 30-23

Seattle takes control

Emanuel Wilson scored twice and the Seattle Seahawks converted a late first-half interception into the separation they needed Sunday, October 4, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 30-23 at Lumen Field.

Wilson carried 21 times for 81 yards and an 8-yard touchdown, and he also caught Sam Darnold's 23-yard opening touchdown. Darnold went 13-for-22 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, but Seattle's pivotal sequence came when it took over at the Chargers' 20 with 1:20 left in the half and reached 20-3. That short field gave the Seahawks control after a game that had been tight through most of the first half.

Seattle improved to 3-1, while the Chargers dropped to 0-4 after making a fourth-quarter push from a 30-13 deficit. Los Angeles had opened with a 3-0 lead, but could not turn its early possessions into sustained scoring after an interception on its first snap and a series of punts.

The short field changes the game

The teams traded interceptions within the opening seconds before the Chargers settled for a 40-yard field goal. Seattle answered immediately with a six-play, 65-yard drive in 1:59, Darnold finding Wilson for the touchdown that put the Seahawks ahead 7-3.

A 28-yard rushing touchdown pushed Seattle's lead to 13-3 in the second quarter. Then Los Angeles turned the ball over with 1:50 remaining, and Seattle needed two plays and 0:37 to cover 20 yards, with Wilson finishing from 8 yards out for a 20-3 halftime edge.

Darnold opened the third quarter with a 6-yard touchdown pass to give Seattle a 27-6 lead, and the Seahawks added a 35-yard field goal after Los Angeles answered with Justin Herbert's 9-yard scoring pass. Herbert led a 12-play, 81-yard response, and Omarion Hampton's 2-yard touchdown later brought the Chargers within 30-20.

Seattle wins the key possessions

Los Angeles still had life after a 44-yard Herbert completion set up a 36-yard field goal with 2:14 left, cutting the score to 30-23. Seattle's next possession ended in a punt, but the Chargers' final drive ended with a fumble after two plays, preserving the seven-point result.

The raw yardage favored Los Angeles 336-306, but the Chargers committed four turnovers while Seattle gave it away once. Seattle produced 0.03 EPA per play to Los Angeles' -0.04; EPA measures expected points added on each play. Darnold's passing game posted 0.14 EPA per play, helping Seattle make its limited throws count despite three sacks taken.

Herbert finished 19-for-31 for 189 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Hampton had 45 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Ernest Jones IV recorded 12 tackles, one sack and one interception for Seattle; Tuli Tuipulotu had six tackles, 0.5 sacks and an interception for Los Angeles. The Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 11, while the Chargers host the Denver Broncos that day, carrying records of 3-1 and 0-4.