Sam Howell directs 2 scoring drives as Seahawks beat Chargers 16-3 to spoil Jim Harbaugh’s debut

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Sam Howell threw for 130 yards and a touchdown in his Seattle debut and the Seahawks had a successful preseason opener under Mike Macdonald, defeating the Chargers 16-3 on Saturday in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first game with Los Angeles.

Howell, acquired from Washington during the offseason, directed a pair of scoring drives in the second quarter. He completed 16 of 27 passes in 10 series and played until a little over midway through the third quarter.

“Offensively, did some good things. Could have scored a little more points, I thought. Would have liked to finish that drive there early in the third quarter,” Howell said.

Seattle quarterback Geno Smith did not play after missing practice time last week due to knee and hip issues. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, along with running back Kenneth Walker III, were among the other Seahawks offensive starters who did not see action.

“I thought our operation was clean for the most part,” Macdonald said. “Got a bunch of notes written down as the game kind of unfolds, things we’re gonna want to chase and debrief on, but overall I’d say it’s a foundational first game. It’s something we want to build on.”

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While the Seahawks were able to move the ball, the Chargers struggled. They went three and out and gained only 21 yards on their first six offensive possessions with Easton Stick at quarterback.

Stick, who has been taking the majority of first-team snaps for the past week with Justin Herbert sidelined due to a foot injury, was 5 of 13 for 32 yards and an interception in his eight series of work during the first half.

Stick used one word to some up his outing — “frustrating.”

“I think it’s always a combination of things, but ultimately just not executing at a high enough level to move the football. And that starts and ends with me,” said Stick, who is in his sixth season.

With the exception of Herbert, and running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the rest of the starting offense got playing time. With Herbert’s injury status remaining an unknown, it should make for an interesting couple weeks for Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL after leading Michigan to a national championship last season.

“There’s work to be done. A lot of work to be done,” Harbaugh said. “Now we’ve begun, which is a positive. Offensively there were some good things, but not enough.”

Howell — who started all 17 games for the Commanders last season — opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end with Brady Russell with 12:27 remaining in the first half. Russell caught the ball at the Los Angeles 10-yard line and eluded a tackle attempt by Chargers linebacker Nick Niemann before making it into the end zone.

“I was kind of just expecting to get the first down, but it’s great when you got a guy who can run after the catch and make guys miss,” Howell said. “Brady’s had a really good camp, and he’s doing a great job. Every time he’s in there, I’m gonna try to keep finding him for sure.”

Seattle extended its lead on the next series after Coby Bryant picked off Stick on a pass down the middle. George Holani went off right end from 11 yards out to make it 13-0. Jason Myers was wide right on the extra-point attempt.

Stick gave the Bolts their initial first down on an 11-yard keeper with five minutes remaining in the first half. Then came a 15-yard completion to tight end Stone Smartt to the Seahawks’ 40.

The drive stalled, but Cameron Dicker put the Chargers on the board with a 58-yard field goal. Had it been a regular-season game, it would be the second-longest kick in franchise history.

Myers supplied the only points of the second half with a 47-yard field goal with 4:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.

DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHT

The Chargers’ defense got some momentum midway through the second quarter when they stopped the Seahawks on two running plays from the LA 1, resulting in zero Seattle points on a 14-play, 84-yard drive.

Holani was stopped for no gain on third-and-goal by Matt Hankins and Tony Jefferson. On fourth-and-goal, Holani was dropped for a 1-yard loss by Shane Lee and Niemann.

Lee’s father, Mark, suffered a massive heart attack the family’s home in Maryland on May 12. Mark Lee was recently cleared to travel and surprised his son following Thursday’s practice.

HELLO, AGAIN

Macdonald was Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2021. Jay Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh’s son, is Seattle’s special teams coach.

UP NEXT

Seahawks: At Tennessee on Aug. 17.

Chargers: Host Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 17.

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