The Seahawks host the Chargers this weekend, a team that has won four in a row and looks like a serious contender in the AFC. To find out more about this week's opponent, Seahawks.com reached out to Eric Williams, who covers the Chargers for ESPN.com, and who happens to be a Tacoma native who used to cover the Seahawks for the News Tribune.
Q: The Chargers come to Seattle having won four straight, how high is the confidence level around the team right now, and how big of a test is a trip to Seattle to face a Seahawks team that has won four of five?
Williams: You're right John, the Bolts are playing with a lot of swagger, based on how they have performed over the past four weeks. Specifically, Philip Rivers is having his best year since 2013, when he was in the conversation for league MVP before tailing off the second half of that season.
However, with former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and ex-Seattle players like Brandon Mebane and Russell Okung now a part of this team, the Chargers understand how tough of a place CenturyLink Field is to play. They should be used to the crowd noise, with opposing fans regularly taking over the team's temporary home, the StubHub Center, as the Chargers continue to try and cultivate a fan base in their new home of L.A.
Q: The Seahawks pass defense has been very good this season, but faces Philip Rivers, who at 36 yards old is on pace to put up the best numbers of his career. What has gone into his and the offense's success this season, and how do you see the matchups with Seattle's pass defense playing out?
Williams: Rivers is doing a good job of taking care of the football, with 17 touchdowns on the year and just three interceptions. When Anthony Lynn took over as head coach of the Chargers last season, he emphasized to Rivers being mindful of turnovers. Mission accomplished.
Rivers should look to test an improved but young Seattle secondary with big-bodied receivers in Tyrell Williams and Mike Williams on the outside, and Keenan Allen in the slot. It's a homecoming of sorts for Williams, who played at Division II Western Oregon. An undrafted rookie the Chargers signed in 2015, Williams is averaging 21.4 yards per catch.
Q: What has rookie safety Derwin James brought to Gus Bradley's defense?
Williams: James has brought athleticism and swagger to L.A.'s secondary. At 6-2 and 215 pounds, he possesses the physicality of a Kam Chancellor but also has the short-area quickness, long speed and anticipation of a rangy free safety like Earl Thomas. James is special player that fits perfectly into Bradley's defensive scheme, and the Chargers were lucky to have the Florida State product fall to them at No. 17 in this year's draft.
Q: It seems there has been a lot of talk about special teams struggles for the Chargers. How big an issue is that, and what is being done/has been done to address it?
Williams: Inconsistent special teams play is probably the most glaring weakness of this team. The Chargers have gone through six kickers since the start of last season and have one of the worst field goal percentages in the NFL over that time. Caleb Sturgis, who Seattle showed interest in during free agency, will return to the starting lineup after missing the last two weeks with a quad strain. But his replacement, Michael Badgley, did not miss a field goal or extra point while starting in place of Sturgis. The Chargers waived Badgley this week, but brought him back on the practice squad. So Sturgis is on a short leash.
Q: What's the latest with Joey Bosa and Melvin Gordon? With Bosa out, how has the pass-rush functioned this season without him, and with Gordon questionable, who steps up in the running game if he can't go?
Williams: Thought to be minor when he suffered the injury in August, Bosa has not played this season and remains out with a bruised left foot. He's likely still a few weeks away from getting back on the field. However, the Chargers have figured out a way to generate pressure with Bosa out. Damion Square has played well as his replacement, and the Bolts also have used James effectively as a blitzer.
Gordon missed the Bolts' last game in London two weeks ago with a hamstring issue. The Wisconsin product has been a limited participant in practice this week, and likely will be a game-time decision. If Gordon does not play, cat-quick third-down back Austin Ekeler likely will get the lion's share of the touches out of the backfield.
Q: What color sweater vest will you be wearing on Sunday?
Williams: That's also a game-time decision, depending on the weather—looking forward to being back home in Seattle this weekend!
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)
