The Los Angeles Chargers might want to stop scheduling the Seattle Seahawks during the preseason. The teams have met 12 times for an exhibition game since 2002 and Seattle has won nine of those matchups, including the last six. We probably won’t see anything too exotic from these clubs when they meet in Week 2 of the preseason since they are scheduled to face each other in early November in the Pacific Northwest. We will get our first glimpse of Philip Rivers this year as he is set to make his season debut after sitting out last week’s game.
This matchup in Week 2 of the preseason will go down Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 10 p.m. ET from the StubHub Center. The game will air live on NFL Network.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +3
Los Angeles Chargers -3
Over/Under 39.5
Odds Analysis
Seattle spoiled the Chargers’ return to the Los Angeles area, handing them a 48-17 loss in last year’s preseason opener to extend their winning streak in the exhibition series to six straight. The Seahawks are 5-1 ATS in that span and they are 9-3 SU and ATS against the Bolts since 2002. Despite last week’s loss, Pete Carroll has one of the best preseason coaching marks at 22-11. The Chargers opened as a 3-point favorite for this matchup.
Quarterback Rotation
The Seahawks really need a backup quarterback and Carroll will take a long look at Austin Davis and Alex McGough since they are the only two behind starter Russell Wilson currently on the roster. Wilson played the opening series last week, completing 4 of 5 passes for 43 yards and scrambling for 14 yards on two carries. It was typical Wilson as he capped the drive with a short scoring pass.
Davis played the remainder of the first half and also went 4 of 5 for 51 yards. His two drives ended in an interception and a punt. McGough played the entire second half completing a high percentage of throws, but he failed to consistently move the offense. The rookie from FIU completed 10 of 13 for 48 yards and was sacked twice.
The Chargers are in need of a backup as well and the competition between Geno Smith and Cardale Jones has only intensified. Both were listed at No. 2 on the depth chart ahead of last week’s game and they saw significant time with Rivers not playing. It’s likely we see Rivers for at least a series this week, though.
Jones got the start against the Cards and finished 6 of 12 for 50 yards. Smith may have gained some separation after going 14 of 23 for 218 yards with a touchdown. He did throw a pick and was sacked three times, but reps with the first-teamers are in store for Saturday night.
Players to Watch
While the Chargers have a battle for the backup quarterback job, there’s also a competition for the kicking duties. The Bolts’ failure to execute in the kicking game cost them a few games last season and they missed out on the postseason because of it. Four players cycled through the roster last season and the quartet combined to miss 10 field goals and five extra points.
The training camp battle is between Caleb Sturgis and Roberto Aguayo with neither gaining any separation thus far. Anthony Lynn even said that it’s “a possibility” he would carry two kickers on his opening day roster, but he doesn’t want to steal a roster spot by doing that. Sturgis was 1 of 2 on field goal attempts in Arizona, making a 45-yarder and missing from 41-yards. Aguayo converted both PATs and the roles will be reversed on Saturday.
Free ATS Pick
Both teams are coming off a loss in their opener and both have position battles that need to be worked out. The outcome of this one isn’t as important as finding the right players to man certain positions. But as much as the coaches say it isn’t about winning, coming out on top feels a lot better than the alternative. That being said, the Seahawks have been solid in the tune-up games under Carroll and these are important times for a team in transition.
The Bolts had a slow start last season and it resulted in them missing the playoffs by a tie-breaker. L.A. sure would like a fast start to the season and getting Rivers into the lineup could give them just what they need to break an inconsequential preseason losing streak to the Seahawks.
NFL Odds: Chargers 24, Seahawks 20
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