The Los Angeles Chargers are starting to build some momentum.
They hope to keep that going when they play host to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
The Chargers (4-2) have won three games in a row, including a 19-16 overtime victory against Denver on Monday night, to move into a tie with Kansas City atop the AFC West.
“We work hard during the week to come out with the W, so for us to be on a three-game winning streak, it’s amazing,” Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams said. “But right now, we just have to focus on the next win and that’s Seattle.”
The Seahawks (3-3) are in a three-way tie for first in the NFC West with San Francisco and the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams after a 19-9 victory against visiting Arizona on Sunday.
Both teams won last week because of improved defense and four field goals from their kickers.
The Chargers’ Dustin Hopkins booted a 39-yarder in OT against the Broncos despite suffering a hamstring strain earlier in the game that coach Brandon Staley said is expected to keep Hopkins out for the next 2-4 weeks.
“There’s a lot that happens and you have to be ready for it,” Staley said. “It’s just part of the job description. I think our guys have done a really nice job of playing together in all three phases and figuring it out.
“You treat each week like it has a life of its own. Each week, the injury report changes, you subtract some guys, you add some guys. Whatever that group is, you take it to the game and do the best you can. I think that this locker room believes in one another. I think that it’s been on display through six games so far.”
After benching cornerback J.C. Jackson, a prized offseason acquisition, at halftime Monday, the Chargers allowed Denver to record five first downs and 72 yards of total offense in the second half and overtime.
Staley said Wednesday he expects Jackson to start against Seattle.
“There’s a reason why we went and got this guy, because we believe in him,” Staley said. “Just because it hasn’t started, you know, in a Hollywood fashion doesn’t mean it’s not going to end that way.”
The Seahawks entered last weekend with the league’s worst defense, but held Arizona without an offensive touchdown.
Rookie cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant made significant impacts. Woolen intercepted a pass for the fourth consecutive game and recovered a fumble forced by Bryant, who had a season-high eight tackles.
Fellow rookie Kenneth Walker III rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL start for the injured Rashaad Penny, and first-year offensive tackles Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross continue to hold their own.
“The mentality of these guys, they’re all kind of humble, hard-working, kind of nose-to-the-grindstone type of guys,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of his team’s rookie class. “And so it’s been really accessible to reach them and to get to them and make them understand what their expectations are and the standards and how you’ve got to go about it.”
In addition to Hopkins, the Chargers have practiced this week without tight ends Gerald Everett (illness) and Donald Parham Jr. (concussion), running back Joshua Kelley (knee) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (concussion).
For the Seahawks, wide receivers Tyler Lockett and Penny Hart have both missed practice time this week with hamstring injuries, as well as guard Gabe Jackson (knee/hip) and cornerbacks Artie Burns (groin) and Isaiah Dunn (hamstring).
–Field Level Media
