Instant reaction: Seahawks get an ugly win over Chargers

A game the Seattle Seahawks were in full control of for much of the first three quarters turned into a nailbiter, but the Seahawks ultimately prevailed with a 30-23 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field.

Stacy Rost | Seattle Seahawks win | Turning Point | Box Score

Seattle led 27-6 early in the third quarter before the Chargers stormed back to within one score and got the ball back with a chance to tie or win the game with under 2 minutes to go. However, Uchenna Nwosu came up with a strip sack that Derick Hall recovered to seal the win for the Seahawks, who improved their record to 3-1 on the season.

Here’s the instant reaction to the game from the voices of Seattle Sports.

Instant Reaction

• Mike Salk – Brock and Salk (6-10 a.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports)

The Seahawks are 3-1, but if there is any common theme for the first four games of this season, it is a distinct lack of prettiness. This victory over the Chargers was about as ugly as it gets. The teams combined for 30 penalties accounting for 285 yards. They turned it over twice in the first two plays from scrimmage. They punted 11 times. From a viewing standpoint, it ranked just slightly below watching CBS’s big night of premiers of “Marshall” and “Tracker.”

Of course, when the game was on the line, the best unit on the field made the biggest and best play. The Dark Side Defense is proud and probably embarrassed they hadn’t been able to put this one to bed earlier. Sure, they had four sacks and nine tackles in the backfield. But facing a depleted Chargers’ offensive line, expectations are even higher.

The Seahawks are 3-1 and have yet to play a complete, clean football game. It’s concerning to see them play this way. But boy does it ever let you know what they are capable of once they put it all together. They’ll have to against some better competition over the next month.

Strip-sack @UchennaN_42. Recovery @derick_hall9 . Seahawks ball.

THE DARK SIDE 😮‍💨

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/CGIJi8mBPW

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 4, 2026

• Bob Stelton – Wyman and Bob (2-7 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports)

It certainly didn’t end the way it seemed like it was going to, but it’s a win and, the Seahawks are now 3-1.

Things to like in this game: Seeing Rashid Shaheed with his first TD on offense as a member of the Seahawks on a 28-yard run. We’ve been waiting for him to show up in the offense after being signed to his $17 million per year deal in the offseason. Perhaps this will be the start of a productive run for him.

Tory Horton also found his way into the end zone on a 6-yard pass from Sam Darnold. Horton was incredibly productive last season in a short amount of time with limited opportunities. In just eight games, he had 13 catches on 22 targets. Five of those were TDs. Throw in a 95-yard punt return for a TD and you see how impactful he can truly be if he can remain healthy.

Electric speed 🔥 @RashidShaheed to the end zone for a 28-yard TOUCHDOWN.

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ZBTqi9wCSk

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 4, 2026

The disconcerting thing was watching what looked like a blowout in the making becoming a one-score game with 2:14 left in the fourth quarter. The defense definitely had some plays they would love to get back, but even more frustrating was the number of penalties committed – 14 for a franchise-record 150 yards. Not only did those calls kill any rhythm this game had, it gave this winless Chargers team life when they hadn’t really earned it.

In the end, mission accomplished! They beat a team that they should beat. But they’ll have plenty of “teaching moments” to go over this week.

• Brock Huard – Brock and Salk

#Seahawks take down the LA Chargers 30-23 in week 4, @BrockHuard shares his instant reaction to the game presented by @Puyallup_Tribe. pic.twitter.com/gwusosQART

— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) October 4, 2026

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