Chargers @ Seahawks
Final Score: Seahawks 30, Chargers 23
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
Shockingly, a trip up to visit the defending Super Bowl champions was not what the doctor ordered for Jim Harbaugh‘s Chargers. The Seahawks’ defense gave Justin Herbert and the rest of the offense fits all day, and this final score is not indicative of how lopsided this contest really was. Emanuel Wilson had a breakout game, which meant that Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the rest of the passing game did not have to do much to take the Seahawks to 3-1. Seattle plays host to the 49ers in Week 5 in a classic divisional showdown, while the 0-4 Chargers will travel to Denver to face yet another brutal defense (pending the health of their cornerbacks).
Two Up
- Emanuel Wilson — Carried the load for the Seahawks and looks to be the clear RB1 until one of Jadarian Price or Zach Charbonnet can return.
- Tre’ Harris — Continuing to see more opportunities and is pushing QJ for the WR2 role.
One Down
- The Chargers — (Almost) all of them. With Joe Alt leaving with a neck injury, things could go from worse to even worser quickly. Good thing they just have to go on the road to Denver next week.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 19/31, 189 Yards, TD, 2 INT | 6 Carries, 40 Yards | 1 Target, 0 Receptions
What else is there to say at this point? This was more of the same for Herbert in Mike McDaniel‘s offense, and it’s pretty clear that this experiment isn’t working. Herbert continues to show flashes of brilliance, like on his deep ball to Quentin Johnston below, but this offense is far too inconsistent, and the offensive line is much too battered to make Herbert an appealing fantasy option for future weeks. Please don’t be out for too long, Joe Alt.
JUSTIN HERBERT OH MY 😳@LACvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0okqhJuf1x— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
Running Back
Omarion Hampton: 9 Carries, 45 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards
Keaton Mitchell: 10 Carries, 39 Yards | 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 24 Yards
Kimani Vidal: 5 Carries, 25 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards, TD
Holy shamoly, is this going to be a headache. We’re talking about all three of these guys at once because all three of them have a similar level of fantasy appeal right now, and that is not very much at all. OK, so Omarion Hampton is still the lead back and is most likely to get the goal-line carries, but Keaton Mitchell appears to be earning more favor with the coaching staff, which isn’t surprising given that he looks like the best back of the group. Kimani Vidal is also just enough of a presence to take away from the fantasy appeal of both of these players and was the recipient of Herbert’s only touchdown pass. All three RBs had snap shares between 32-38%, which is at least partly due to the game script. I don’t feel great about starting Hampton next week, but I’m looking at Mitchell as a sneaky add if he can continue to earn more opportunities.
Wide Receiver-Tight End
Tre’ Harris: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 60 Yards | 0/1 Passing
With Ladd McConkey once again leaving early, it was up to Tre’ Harris to lead the Chargers’ receiving room. While the stat line isn’t impressive, it’s worth noting that Harris outsnapped Quentin Johnston 66-53, meaning he may be supplanting Johnston as the WR2 in this offense. While that might not be worth much in the short term, it makes Harris an intriguing bench stash and a potential buy in dynasty formats.
Quentin Johnston: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 44 Yards | 1 Carry, -4 Yards
Unfortunately, a very stereotypical stat line for Quentin Johnston at this point in the season. QJ didn’t get into the box score until a desperation heave by Herbert in the fourth quarter. There will eventually be a game where he breaks free for a long score, but are you really going to continue rolling him out there until he does?
Oronde Gadsden: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 36 Yards | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
This was more the kind of performance we were hoping for from Oronde Gadsden when David Njoku and Charlie Kolar went on injured reserve. Gadsden paced the team with eight targets but was only able to produce a middling stat line with those looks. I will give him credit on this insane circus catch he reeled in, though. He’s still firmly a member of the great tight end streaming coalition of The Glob.
What a throw and catch by Herbert & Gadsden ⚡️@LACvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1wJA8N3pqP— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
Derius Davis: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Ladd McConkey: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
Ladd McConkey was able to suit up for this contest after nursing a foot injury for most of the week, but that same injury unfortunately forced him to leave this game without a catch. Even if he’s able to suit up for Week 5, it’ll be hard to trust Ladd in this sputtering offense when they travel to Denver.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: 13/22, 168 Yards, 2 TD, INT | 3 Carries, 6 Yards
The most notable thing about Sam Darnold‘s day was that he and Herbert became the first pair of QBs to start the game back-to-back interceptions since 1991. With a large lead for the majority of the game, Darnold simply needed to game-manage his way to a perfectly mediocre stat line and another Seattle victory. Darnold is the definition of a fine superflex QB2 with some streaming appeal during bye weeks in a good matchup.
Justin Herbert and Sam Darnold trade interceptions for the first two plays of the game. 😓😓 pic.twitter.com/knuBz9oUYg
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 4, 2026
Running Back
Emanuel Wilson: 21 Carries, 81 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 39 Yards, TD
A career game for Emanuel Wilson in his first game as the Seahawks’ lead back! Wilson showed that he’s deserving of the job with some great burst on his catch-and-run touchdown in the first quarter. He also showed great vision on his second touchdown, finding the hole on the left side of the line and cruising into the end zone. The efficiency might not look awesome at face value, but he clearly operated ahead of George Holani and should be the team’s RB1 as long as both Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet are sidelined. That’s worth a weekly flex play at worst in this offense.
Emanuel Wilson's first TD as a Seahawk! 🔥@LACvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RVKrkhoLku— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
George Holani: 7 Carries, 18 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
The lack of pass-catching work is especially disappointing for George Holani, who played a clear second fiddle to Wilson in this one. I suppose there’s minor appeal as a handcuff’s handcuff’s handcuff just in case anything were to happen to Wilson, but he doesn’t feel like a must-roster at this point.
Wide Receiver-Tight End
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 76 Yards
A horrendously underwhelming and disappointing stat line for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And still 12.6 PPR points! This is the floor for the league’s best receiver (yes, I said it). Hopefully you’re still sitting pretty record-wise if this comparatively quiet performance cost you a win this week. There’s no reason to be concerned.
Rashid Shaheed: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 20 Yards | 2 Carries, 33 Yards, TD
Rashid Shaheed perfectly showcased why he’s one of the league’s premier “better real-life player than a fantasy asset” guys. Shaheed’s absurd speed allowed him to find the end zone on a pitch, but he’s not getting nearly enough opportunities to be considered startable in fantasy leagues.
RASHID SHAHEED RUSHING TOUCHDOWN 🏈@LACvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MqtXgnL7yI— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
Cooper Kupp: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
AJ Barner: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Tory Horton: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards, TD
Great to see Tory Horton get in the end zone for his first score of the year, but he’s not bordering on fantasy relevance, and neither are the rest of these guys.