INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Sam Howell threw for 130 yards and a touchdown in his Seattle debut, and the Seahawks had a successful season opener under Mike Macdonald, beating the Chargers 16-3 on Saturday in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first game against Los Angeles.
Howell, who was signed from Washington in the offseason, led two scoring drives in the second quarter, completing 16 of 27 passes on 10 series and playing until just over midway through the third quarter.
“He did some good things offensively. Could have scored a few more points, I thought. Would have liked to have finished that drive early in the third quarter,” Howell said.
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith did not play after missing practice last week due to knee and hip problems. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and running back Kenneth Walker III were among the Seahawks’ other offensive starters who did not play.
“I thought our operation was clean for the most part,” Macdonald said. “I took a lot of notes as the game went on, things we want to track and discuss, but overall I would say it’s a fundamental first game. We want to build on that.”
While the Seahawks were able to move the ball, the Chargers struggled, managing three runs and gaining just 21 yards on their first six offensive attempts with Easton Stick at quarterback.
Stick, who made most of the first-team appearances last week while Justin Herbert was out with a foot injury, was 5 of 13 for 32 yards and an interception in his eight first-half rushing series.
Stick summed up his trip in one word: “frustrating.”
“I think it’s always a combination of things, but ultimately it’s just not the power that’s enough to move the ball. And that starts and ends with me,” said Stick, who is in his sixth season.
With the exception of Herbert and running backs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the rest of the starting offensive line got playing time. With Herbert’s injury status still unknown, it should be an interesting few weeks for Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL after leading Michigan to the national championship last season.
“There’s still a lot of work to do. There’s still a lot of work to do,” Harbaugh said. “Now we’ve started, which is positive. Offensively, there were some good things, but not enough.”
Howell – who started all 17 games for the Commanders last season – opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell with 12:27 left in the first half. Russell caught the ball at the Los Angeles 10-yard line and evaded a tackle attempt by Chargers linebacker Nick Niemann before making it into the end zone.
“I was expecting to get the first down, but it’s great when you have a guy who can run after the catch and make the others shoot out of bounds,” Howell said. “Brady had a really good training camp and does a great job. Any time he’s in, I’m going to try to find him for sure.”
Seattle extended its lead on the next series when Coby Bryant intercepted Stick on a pass through the middle. George Holani scored from 11 yards out from the right end to make it 13-0. Jason Myers missed right on the extra point attempt.
Stick gave the Bolts their first first down with five minutes left in the first half on an 11-yard keeper, followed by a 15-yard pass to tight end Stone Smartt at the Seahawks’ 40-yard line.
The drive stalled, but Cameron Dicker put the Chargers on the scoreboard with a 58-yard field goal. Had it been a regular season game, it would have been the second-longest kick in franchise history.
Myers scored the only points of the second half with a 47-yard field goal with 4:41 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHT
The Chargers defense came into its own midway through the second quarter, stopping the Seahawks on two running plays from the LA 1, giving Seattle zero points on a 14-play, 84-yard drive.
Holani was stopped by Matt Hankins and Tony Jefferson on the third attempt and goal without gaining any ground. On the fourth attempt and goal, Holani was thrown to the ground by Shane Lee and Niemann, causing him to lose one yard.
Lee’s father, Mark, suffered a massive heart attack at the family’s home in Maryland on May 12. Mark Lee was recently cleared to travel and surprised his son after practice on Thursday.
HELLO AGAIN
Macdonald was Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2021. Jay Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh’s son, is Seattle’s special teams coach.
Next
Seahawks: At Tennessee on August 17th.
Chargers: Host the Los Angeles Rams on August 17th.
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