Seattle at LA Chargers NFL Preseason Lines, Pick & Preview Week 1

Seattle’s Pete Carroll is one of the few head coaches who appear to put at least some stock in preseason wins, as he is currently the leader among active head coaches in preseason victories. The Seahawks don’t do nearly as well away from home as they do at CenturyLink Field, though, and they’re heading down to an anomaly as the Chargers are playing this season in a soccer venue that holds about 30,000 people instead of the normally cavernous stadiums that host NFL games. The Chargers have a new city and a new identity — but can those give them enough momentum to take down the Legion of Boom? The Chargers are slight betting favorites for this Sunday, so let’s see if they really have a chance of getting the victory in this NFL preseason game.

Seattle at LA Chargers NFL Preseason Lines, Pick & Preview Week 1

 That #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/xcFJpxBYOC

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 11, 2017

When: Sunday, August 13, 2017, 8:00 PM ET Where: StubHub Center, Carson, CA TV: NFL Network Radio: KIRO 710 AM Seattle / KFI 640 AM Los Angeles Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Preseason Odds: L.A. Chargers -1.5, O/U 37.5

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 22^°C/72^°F
• Humidity: 77%
• Precipitation: 2%
• Wind: 7 mph W
• Cloud Cover: 3%
• Type of Stadium: Open

Why should you bet on the Seahawks?

Ethan Pocic, the Seahawks’ second draft pick, is a blue-chip center/guard out of LSU who the team expects to see working hard for a spot in the team’s starting O-line, and he should get quite a bit of time against the Chargers. Improve that front line was a major priority for the Seahawks in the offseason, as Seattle permitted 42 sacks a year ago, sixth worst in the NFL. Giving Russell Wilson more time to get set to throw should help the Seahawks’ offensive fortunes significantly. Tailback Chris Carson, from Oklahoma State, has drawn rave reviews in practice so far, and he should get his share of carries on Sunday night.

Who’s Been Added to Defense This Season?

The latest addition to that Seattle defense was supposed to be defensive tackle Malik McDowell, whom the team selected with their first-round pick. Unfortunately, he had an ATV accident last month which has kept him out of action. There has been some unrest in that ironclad unit, as Richard Sherman seems willing to move on to the right team. There’s nothing like winning to build team chemistry, though, and some big hits against the Chargers could get the Seahawks right back on track as a unit.

Why should you put your money on the Chargers?

It’s been 47 years since the Chargers played a game in Los Angeles — they moved down the coast to San Diego in 1960. Playing in that small stadium, though, it will be interesting to see how much of a buzz there is around this game — whether San Diego fans drive up the coast to watch the action or NFL fans in Los Angeles looking for something new to embrace will come out and rev things up. San Diego’s top pick from the draft, receiver Mike Williams, is out with back issues that could cost him the entire 2017 campaign.

How Well Were the Players Last Season?

They spent 2016 with way too many players on that injured list, including their best wide receiver in Keenan Allen. They don’t want to see as many names on the injury report going into the 2017 regular season. However, Philip Rivers is not expected to take the field for the Chargers. Instead, it will be Kellen Clemens (Rivers’ backup since the 2014 campaign) and Mike Bercovici, who would love to move into that #2 slot on the depth chart. Having that rivalry should give the Chargers’ offense a little more motivation than what one might expect in a preseason game.

Seattle vs LA Chargers Game History

• Total Meetings: 50
• First Meeting: November 27th, 1977. Kingdome. Seattle, Washington.
• Last Meeting: September 14th, 2014. Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego, California.
• All-Time Series: Seattle 26-24-0
• Largest Margin of Victory: Seattle 34-3 (1987)
• Longest Win Streak: LA Chargers 8 (1977-1981)
• Current Win Streak:

Expert NFL Preseason Pick and Final Score Prediction

On paper, I like the Seahawks a lot more than I like the Chargers. However, Seattle has a dangerous habit of getting bored away from home and laying some big eggs. In a game with no real significance in the standings, I don’t see Seattle coming out with their usual fire. I like the Chargers to win, 20-16, as they start their new chapter in Los Angeles.