The Los Angeles Chargers notched their first win of the preseason beating the Seattle Seahawks, 24-14.
Game Balls
Offense:
Philip Rivers – Rivers saw his first action of the preseason tonight and it looked like he picked up where he left off in 2017. Rivers was six of seven for 62 yards, including a 21-yard pass to Tyrell Williams to kick off the offense's first drive.
Defense:
Melvin Ingram – SupaMel made his presence known on Saturday night as he was all over the field. Most notably, he forced a fumble on Seahawks' running back Chris Carson which Brandon Mebane recovered. The play was huge being that it kept Seattle from scoring and potentially going up 13-7.
Unsung Hero:
Detrez Newsome – The rookie running back carried the load with the Bolts as only one of two RBs available for the team on the night. Newsome made the most of his opportunity with the team amassing 78 yards rushing and averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Stat of the Game:
The Chargers dominated time of possession for the second straight game, this time by nearly 15 minutes, 37:21 to 22:39.
Play of the Game:
Facing a 1st-and-10 from the Seattle 25, Geno Smith stepped back and launched a pass towards the back-right corner of the end zone. It was a pass only Mike Williams could nab – and he did. Williams went up and over Seahawks CB Akeem King to highpoint the ball for the wideout's first NFL touchdown.
Turning Point:
The Chargers forced Russell Wilson pass to Marcus Johnson to fall incomplete on 3rd-and-9 deep in Seattle territory. Jon Ryan trotted out and boomed a 57-yard punt that J.J. Jones fielded at his own 28. The undrafted free agent out of West Georgia has been given a long look at both return spots, and showed why, speeding past the entire Seahawks coverage unit for an impressive 72-yard touchdown. The score gave the Bolts a 14-6 lead heading into halftime.
It Was Over When:
Up seven points with less than a minute to play in the game, Roberto Aguayo came onto the field for a 39-yard field goal attempt. The attempt was good, and the Bolts increased their lead 24-14 putting the game out of reach.
Bolt Quotebook
"We were hitting on all cylinders. As far as pass rushing, and blocking, we were getting the job done. Kudos to us, but we still have a lot of work to do." – RB Melvin Gordon
"I'd seen it on the field a couple plays before when I was on the sideline – Coach (Lynn) let me get a 'go' ball. He believed in me, called the play and the results were good. Geno (Smith) gave me a chance to go up and make a play, and I went up and got it. I just needed it. I felt like I was doing it in practice and I just needed to translate it to a game." – WR Mike Williams
"The guys are playing the most consistent football right now and it's smart. We're not going to beat ourselves. That's the thing we recite every single day." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn
Odds and Ends
Detrez Newsome carried the load for the Bolts, leading both teams in carries (19) and yards (78). He also had a team-high three receptions.
Philip Rivers made his preseason debut, going 6-for-7 for 62 yards with a QB rating of 103.6. Meanwhile, Geno Smith led the way by going 6-for-8 for 85 yards, one touchdown and a 148.4 passer rating.
Isaac Rochell had two sacks while Jatavis Brown had one.
Jeff Richards had a team-high five tackles.
Tonight's captains were Philip Rivers, Melvin Ingram, Russell Okung and Brandon Mebane.
Check out some of the best action shots as the Bolts take on the Seattle Seahawks in their second preseason game.
Melvin Gordon rushes downfield in the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Tyrell Williams leaps for a catch during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Philip Rivers throws the ball during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Melvin Gordon rushes downfield during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Derek Watt and Melvin Gordon celebrate during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Melvin Gordon celebrates his touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Melvin Gordon makes a catch during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Melvin Gordon runs downfield for a touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Travis Benjamin runs downfield during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Brandon Mebane celebrates during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Brandon Mebane and Jatavis Brown celebrate during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Melvin Ingram stays focused during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Adrian Phillips tackles Seattle RB Mike Davis during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Mike Williams looks to make a catch during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Isaac Rochell celebrates a sack during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
J.J. Jones returns a punt for a touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Geno Smith scrambles up the middle during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Mike Williams leaps to make a touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Detrez Newsome rushes downfield during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Geno Smith looks to throw the ball during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Detrez Newsome breaks through to run downfield during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
The Bolts line up during their preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Mike Williams gets up for the catch and a touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
The Bolts get set for a play to begin during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
The Bolts celebrate Mike Williams' touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Mike Williams celebrates his touchdown during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Sean Culkin and Brandon Facyson tackle a Seahawk during the Chargers' preseason home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
