The NFC West is up for grabs, as the 3-3 Seahawks hit the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Here are five things to know about Seattle's Week 7 opponent:
Justin Herbert: The Harder They Fall
Third-year Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert continues to blossom into one of the league's best under center. Through six games, Herbert ranks fourth in passing yards (1,716), 11thin completion percentage (66.1) and tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (10).
But Herbert's arm isn't the only worry for Seattle heading into Week 7's matchup - his legs are also a factor. Herbert is barely averaging a yard per carry on the ground, but he's managed to be sacked just seven times.
Seattle will be tasked with bringing down the 6-foot-6 multi-sport athlete that also starred as a pitcher for the Oregon Ducks.
Austin Ekeler: All Hands on Deck
Chargers sixth-year running back Austin Ekeler is one of the league's best triumph stories—from undrafted out of Western Colorado to the focal point of the Bolts offense. Seattle can count on Ekeler touching the ball plenty - from carries to targets as a receiver.
Over the last two games, Ekeler has 308 all-purpose yards for five touchdowns, averaging over 4 yards per carry on the ground and six yards per catch.
Despite a terrific showing in Seattle's 19-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks defense will have to prove it can sustain. Wrapping up the league's best player after the catch is a big step in doing just that.
I Wanna Be Like Mike
Believe it or not, there's more than one 6-4 guy doing big things on the field aside from Seahawks rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen. Chargers wideout Mike Williams could potentially see Woolen in front of him plenty in Week 7. Seattle hopes that Woolen and the secondary will prevent Williams from having his fourth 100-plus yard game of the season.
The big, physical wideout provides a different type of matchup for Woolen and the Seahawks, who will look to prevent Williams from being a factor.
Mack Attack
Despite the loss of pass rusher Joey Bosa to injury, the Los Angeles Chargers still have one of the league's premier defensive players on the opposite edge. University of Buffalo alum Khalil Mack is in his ninth year and is aging like fine wine. Over his last 13 games, Mack has accumulated 12 sacks. The first-year Charger will be another test for Seattle's young and hobbled offensive line.
Gerald Everett vs. His Former Team
Former Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett welcomes his old team to Los Angeles, after spending 2021 in Seattle. In 15 games, Everett put up a career-high 478 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Now, Everett is off to a hot start for the Chargers, with 22 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Seattle's improving defense will get another chance to show its progress against Los Angeles' high-powered offense and its playmaking tight end.
Chargers Injury Report
Hamstring injuries have hampered Chargers star wideout Keenan Allen through 2022, as he was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. The five-time 1,000-yard receiver has played in just one contest this season.
A groin injury has sent Chargers star edge rusher Joey Bosa to the IR, a major blow to the pass rush. Offensive linemen Will Clapp (quad) and Zion Johnson (ankle) are working through injuries and should be players to watch as Seattle looks to find a way to get to Justin Herbert.
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)
