The Los Angeles Chargers used two offensive touchdowns, a special teams score and a bend-but-don't-break defense to defeat the Seattle Seahawks 24-14 Saturday night from ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Philip Rivers, making his preseason debut, orchestrated the team's first score of the night. He finished 6-of-7 for 62 yards in one quarter of action. Running back Melvin Gordon had 10 rushes for 35 yards and a touchdown.
The Seahawks started the game with an eight-play, 60-yard drive highlighted by a 29-yard reception from quarterback Russell Wilson to wide receiver Jaron Brown on the game's opening play. Kicker Jason Myers made a 33-yard field goal to give Seattle an early 3-0 lead.
Rivers and L.A.'s first-team offense answered with an efficient nine-play, 70-yard drive that included a 21-yard reception by Tyrell Williams and a pair of Keenan Allen catches (five and 13 yards). Gordon added a 14-yard rush before punching in a two-yard touchdown run to make the score 7-3 Chargers after a Roberto Aguayo extra point.
Seattle moved the ball inside the Chargers' 10-yard line on its next two offensive possessions. The first resulted in a 25-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal. The second ended when defensive end Melvin Ingram caused Seahawks running back Chris Carson to fumble at the one-yard line. The ball was recovered by defensive tackle Brandon Mebane in the end zone.
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.
It was a scoreless second quarter until Chargers wide receiver J.J. Jones returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown. Los Angeles led 14-6 at the half.
The Chargers' offense opened the second half the same way they started the first, only this time Geno Smith was at the controls. Smith hooked up with wide receiver Mike Williams, who made 25-yard touchdown reception that was reminiscent of the acrobatic plays he's routinely made during training camp. It capped off a nine-play, 78-yard touchdown drive and put Los Angeles up 21-6.
Smith finished the game 6-of-8 for 85 yards and a touchdown. With running backs Austin Ekeler, Russell Hansbrough and Justin Jackson all held out of Saturday's game, Detrez Newsome carried much of the load. He finished with 19 carries for 78 yards, including a 31-yard rush to put the game on ice.
Cardale Jones closed the game at quarterback for Los Angeles. He went 3-of-4 for 27 yards and also added 41 yards rushing.
The Chargers committed 14 penalties to the Seahawks' six. Los Angeles out-possessed Seattle by over 14 minutes.
UP NEXT
The Chargers are back at Jack Hammett Sports Complex for an open training camp practice on Monday before hosting the New Orleans Saints for a pair of joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday (all practices start at 10 a.m.). The team's next preseason game is Saturday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. against the Saints from ROKiT Field at StubHub Center (CBS).
