Local and national media predict the outcome of Sunday's game between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 of the 2018 NFL season at CenturyLink Field.
Eric Williams, **ESPN.com**: Seahawks 27, Chargers 24
Williams: The Seahawks have looked like playoff contenders in winning four of their past five games and nearly upsetting the unbeaten Rams. That stretch seems more legitimate considering only one of the victories has come at home. They're back at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, they're as healthy as they've been all season and they're running the ball as well as they have since 2015. The formula that has propelled Seattle since its 0-2 start will be enough against the Chargers.
Brady Henderson, **ESPN.com**: Chargers 28, Seahawks 24
Henderson: In his past two games against a Pete Carroll-led defense, Philip Rivers has completed 71 percent of his passes for 739 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions, so this matchup against an improved but young Seahawks defense could be a good one for the veteran. Working against former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's defense every day in practice should sharpen Rivers' preparation. A healthy Melvin Gordon should also provide balance on offense in a tough environment at Seattle.
Elliot Harrison, **NFL.com**: Chargers 27, Seahawks 23
Harrison: A lot of people chalked this up as an easy Chargers win back in August. Not so easy now, eh? Most surprising team in the NFL: Seahawks, hands down. Then maybe the Chiefs, because of MVP-to-be(?) Patrick Mahomes. Seattle is a respectable 4-3, something that was predicted by precisely no one. The defense ranks fourth in points per game allowed, also predicted by precisely no one. Meanwhile, the Bolts have dropped just two games, both to top-flight quarterbacks in Mahomes and Jared Goff. That said, their wins have come against Josh Allen, C.J. Beathard, Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield and Marcus Mariota. Meet Russell Wilson, who has played very well this season without taking off out of the pocket much. Where the Chargers are lighting it up: chunk rushing plays. They are getting 10 yards or more on 20 percent of their runs. That's an astronomical figure, and it might be the difference against a team that allows 4.5 yard per carry.
Mike Florio, **ProFootballTalk.com**: Seahawks 24, Chargers 21
Florio: The Chargers remain destined for great things. They'll just have a tough time dealing with a Seahawks team that is building more and more momentum, and that will have extra emotion for the first home game since the passing of owner Paul Allen. The home team takes what could be a Super Bowl preview.
Michael David-Smith, **ProFootballTalk.com**: Seahawks 28, Chargers 21
MDS: A good game between two teams in wild card contention in their respective conferences. I like the Seahawks at home.
Pete Prisco, **CBSSports.com**: Chargers 27, Seahawks 24
Prisco: The Chargers are coming off a bye, but they are facing a hot team, one that is improving by the week. The Seahawks are running the ball and Russell Wilson has been outstanding. But I think Philip Rivers will get the best of this battle. The Chargers will take it.
Jim Moore, **710Sports.com**: Seahawks 27, Chargers 20
Moore: We know about the added advantage the Seahawks get from the 12s at CenturyLink Field. It always seems like the pass rush benefits from the crowd noise, and that could be a factor with false starts along with game-long disruption of the Chargers' passing game. Then again, Philip Rivers is making his 200th consecutive start and has seen it all.
More Picks From Around The Web
- Five of 10 analysts at ESPN.com pick Seattle to win.
- Four of eight experts at CBSSports.com side with the Seahawks.
- Three of five writers at USA Today see a Seahawks victory.
- And three of four sports writers at the Seattle Times select the Seahawks to win.
The Seahawks face the Chargers at SoFi Stadium for Week 7 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from the past games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) prepares to hand off against the San Diego Chargers on December 13, 1980 at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Terry Beeson (58) blocks a field goal during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 2, 1979. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Brian Peets (88) tries to break away from San Diego Chargers cornerback Willie Buchanon (28) during an NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 2, 1979. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks running back Curt Warner (28) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on September 15, 1985. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 49-35. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (80) beats San Diego Chargers defensive back Daniel Hunter (27) for a 23-yard scoring reception during an NFL game in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 14, 1986. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 34-24. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) is double-teamed by San Diego Charger defenders Martin Bayless (44) and Danny Walters (23) during first quarter action in the Kingdome in Seattle, Nov. 22, 1987. Largent gained 29 yards on the pass play. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (80) tries to elude San Diego Chargers defensive back Daniel Hunter (27) during an NFL game in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 14, 1986. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 34-24. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bob Spitulski (58) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers Oct. 30, 1994, in San Diego, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) leaves the field after play with San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (55) in San Diego in 1994. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
San Diego Chargers running back Rodney Culver (22) is tackled as he attempts to rush upfield with the ball during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Sept. 10, 1995, in San Diego, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Steve Broussard runs for yardage against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game on November 9, 1997 in San Diego, California. The Seahawks won 37-31. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback John Friesz throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game on October 25, 1998 in San Diego. The Seahawks won 27-20. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers Sept. 10, 1995, in San Diego, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Steve Broussard (31) is seen in action during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers Oct. 25, 1998, in San Diego. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Derrick Mayes (87) gets a big hug by teammate Sean Dawkins (81) after catching a 14-yard pass from Jon Kitna against the San Diego Chargers for a score in the third quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999. San Diego won the game 19-16. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson runs with a reception during a NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in San Diego on December 30, 2001. Seattle won, 25-22. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
29 DEC 2002: Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander during a game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday December 29, 2002, in San Diego , CA. (Photo by Matt A. Brown/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
San Diego Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd battles Seattle Seahawks defender Ken Hamlin for a pass in the end zone during first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) runs as San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel moves in on a first quarter run in a football game Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, left, and San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson talk after the 20-17 win for the Chargers in a football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander runs in untouched past San Diego Chargers' Marlon McCree on a 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
A fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, rookie tight end Scott Chandler #87 of the San Diego Chargers blocks strong safety Michael Boulware #28 of the Seattle Seahawks during the NFL preseason game on August 12, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 24-16. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Charly Martin (13) goes out for a pass during an NFL preseason football game Seattle Seahawks while covered by cornerback Marquis Floyd (29), Saturday, August 15, 2009 in San Diego. The Seahawks won the game 20-14. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones (22) breaks away from the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Matt Wilhelm, right, during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 25: Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks up a pass intended for leaping wide receiver Chris Chambers #89 of the San Diego Chargers during the game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 25, 2008 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Seahawks 18-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (32) leaps over San Diego Chargers cornerback Richard Crawford (35) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) hauls in a touchdown pass as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Shaquill Griffin (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Seattle Seahawks center Ethan Pocic #79 during an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cyril Grayson (13) catches the ball as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Randall Evans (41) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
