Chargers @ Seahawks
Final Score: Seahawks 27, Chargers 0
Writer: Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter)
In a game that featured mainly backups, it was the Seattle backups who prevailed, blanking the Chargers to pick up the victory in each team’s final preseason game. While the game didn’t feature any first-team players, we did see signs from some players who may be just an injury away from being on our radars. While no one’s stat lines stand out, this game provided some insight into certain players who may be the next man up for their respective teams.
Los Angeles Chargers
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Chase Daniel: 9/12, 70 yards | 1 carry, 1 yard
Easton Stick: 10/17, 76 yards | 3 carries, 10 yards
Both Chase Daniel and Easton Stick kept things simple on Saturday and did not open the field up too much. Both quarterbacks were pretty accurate with their throws, spreading the ball around to their various targets. With no touchdowns or interceptions, these two quarterbacks kept it safe, making us wonder if it’s their style or just the plays being called. Either way, neither quarterback should have much fantasy relevance this year, save for an injury to Justin Herbert.
Running Back
Larry Rountree: 6 carries, 27 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards
Joshua Kelley: 3 carries, 2 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 12 yards
Darius Bradwell: 4 carries, 3 yards
Because of the score, the run game for Los Angeles was quiet and pretty nonexistent. While Joshua Kelley could not get anything going on the ground, Larry Rountree was able to get some open space and make a solid case as the next man up should something happen to Austin Ekeler. A further positive sign is that Rountree saw some involvement in the passing game, showing that he could do that for Los Angeles throughout the season.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyron Johnson: 9 targets, 4 receptions, 41 yards
Michael Bandy: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 27 yards
Josh Palmer: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards
Mat Sokol: 1 target, 1 reception, 11 yards
Stephen Anderson: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
John Hurst: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Donald Parham: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
With the injury that has occurred to Mike Williams, making people question whether he will be ready for Week 1, an opportunity exists for one of these receivers to become the number two target for Justin Herbert. The most impressive of these receivers was Tyron Johnson, who saw nine targets throughout the game, with most of these targets coming prior to halftime. His targets were a bit deeper than other weapons, a sign of trust and potential fantasy value if he finds a connection with Herbert. The rookie, Josh Palmer, also impressed with the work he was given, with his targets also coming earlier on in the game, showing that he is slowly working up the depth chart, making him an intriguing name to keep an eye on going into the season.
Seattle Seahawks
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Geno Smith: 11/15, 90 yards | 2 carries, 20 yards
Sean Mannion: 13/15, 77 yards, TD | 1 carry, 3 yards
Two blasts from the past, Geno Smith and Sean Mannion, kept the ball safe on Saturday, spreading it around the field via short routes over the middle. Mannion threw the lone touchdown in the back of the end zone, a dart between two defenders for the lone score through the air on the night for Seattle. There really wasn’t much here worth talking about from either of these guys.
.@DareceRoberson gets his first NFL touchdown! 🤩
📺: #LACvsSEA on FOX
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 29, 2021
Running Back
Alex Collins: 10 carries, 37 yards, 1 TD | 7 targets, 7. receptions, 52 yards
Rashaad Penny: 7 carries, 24 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
Josh Johnson: 11 carries, 33 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions
Rashaad Penny, the common handcuff for Chris Carson, looked good in his amount of work as he slowly continues to work his way back from the torn ACL he sustained last season. However, Alex Collins really shined in his work on Saturday, seeing a large amount of work in the passing game as he scored the lone rushing touchdown and made defenders miss all night. While he may find himself third on the team’s depth chart, this shows that the team may be willing to keep their running backs involved in the passing game, and may allow Collins more work should an injury occur in the Seattle backfield.
.@Budda03 has been making people miss all night. @Seahawks
📺: #LACvsSEA on @NFLNetwork (or check local listings)
📱: https://t.co/RLRhlWKLey pic.twitter.com/Z1VcMBdRrf— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2021
How does 6️⃣ more sound, @Budda03?
📺: #LACvsSEA on FOX
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 29, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Aaron Fuller: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 19 yards
D’Wayne Eskridge: 1 target, 1 reception, 19 yards | 1 carry, 9 yards
Cade Johnson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Penny Hart: 3 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards
Travis Toivonen: 2 targets, 1 reception, 10 yards
Darece Roberson Jr: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 7 yards, 1 TD
Cody Thompson: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Cam Sutton: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 6 yards
Gerald Everett: 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
There really is not much to take away from the Seahawks’ receiving core as it was all backup receivers and ones further down the depth chart who will need injuries to take place for any fantasy relevance. It was nice to see Gerald Everett, everyone’s favorite late-round tight end, get some work, but nothing to raise or lower his stock in his final preseason action.
— Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter)