The Los Angeles Chargers look to keep pace in the AFC West race as they welcome a frisky Seattle Seahawks team to SoFi Stadium this weekend.
Despite a mounting injury list, the Chargers have scraped together three straight wins, including a 19-16 overtime win against the Denver Broncos on Monday.
They’ll have a battle on their hands against a Seahawks team that didn’t get the memo about this being a rebuilding year. Seattle could yet be surprise contenders in a tightly packed NFC West.
Find out more in our Chargers vs. Seahawks NFL picks and predictions for Sunday, October 23.
Seahawks vs Chargers best odds
Seahawks vs Chargers picks and predictions
Where would the Chargers be without Austin Ekeler? With Keenan Allen sidelined and Justin Herbert dealing with injured ribs, the dual threat of Ekeler as a rusher and receiver is keeping the L.A. offense afloat.
Ekeler scored the Chargers’ lone touchdown in the narrow win over the Broncos – and, after a slow start, he now has six touchdowns this season (four rushing, two receiving), all coming in the past three games. It’s a hot streak that I see continuing against Seattle.
After all, the Seahawks’ run defense has been shredded over the past two weeks, giving up 235 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to Taysom Hill and the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, then 100 rushing yards to Kyler Murray in last weekend’s 19-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Plus, Ekeler has been doing his damage lately without Allen’s route-running to occupy defenses. If the veteran receiver returns from a hamstring injury on Sunday, it would give Ekeler more room to operate on screen passes or check downs.
Even if the Chargers continue to look below-par offensively, I like Ekeler to find the end zone on Sunday and rack up at least 50 yards on the ground, given that he should again see around 15 carries.
My best bet: Austin Ekeler anytime touchdown and 50+ rushing yards (+135 at bet365)
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Seahawks vs Chargers spread analysis
The Seahawks arrive in L.A. as clear underdogs for this Week 7 showdown – and the spread looks high, given Seattle’s solid 3-3 record and the Chargers’ recent struggles moving the ball.
L.A. is 4-2, but Herbert threw 57 times against the Broncos in Week 6 without registering a touchdown pass. While that Denver defense is elite, keep in mind that the Chargers quarterback has thrown more than one touchdown pass in just two of his six games this season.
Meanwhile, Geno Smith continues to impress (and surprise) for a Seattle offense averaging 24 points per game. Smith enters Week 7 with nine touchdown passes and just two picks. Rookie running back Kenneth Walker III has caught the eye too with his big-play potential, including a 69-yard touchdown run against the Saints two weeks ago.
In short, the Seahawks, 3-3 ATS this season, have enough offensive firepower to keep this game close – and it is worth noting that the underdog is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings between these teams. Don’t count on a big home-field edge for the Chargers either, with a large contingent of Seahawks fans likely to make the trip to SoFi Stadium.
L.A. is coming off a short week and a grueling overtime win. We like grabbing the points here with a Seattle team on the rise.
Seahawks vs Chargers Over/Under analysis
Herbert’s ability to make any throw at any moment keeps the Over/Under line high even after some shaky outings. Is this the week that he gets back to his very best? I don’t think so.
L.A. may decide to take the cautious approach with Allen and keep him out until after the team’s Week 8 bye – and the hosts are also sweating on injuries to other key pass-catchers. Then there’s the matter of new kicker Taylor Bertolet stepping in for the injured Dustin Hopkins.
The Seahawks, who scored a combined 80 points against the Saints and Lions this season but have also fallen short of the 20-point mark three times, will find it more difficult to move the ball if the dependable Tyler Lockett (hamstring) is inactive.
I would lean towards the Under here, given the injury question marks and the inconsistency from both offenses this season.
Seahawks vs Chargers betting trend to know
The Seahawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six games in October. Find more NFL betting trends for Seahawks vs. Chargers.
Seahawks vs Chargers game info
| Location: | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, October 23, 2022 |
| Kickoff: | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Seahawks vs Chargers latest injuries
Seahawks vs Chargers weather
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