Seahawks rookie running back shines in blowout win over Chargers

Rookie Kenneth Walker III rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, Marquise Goodwin scored twice and the Seattle Seahawks took a 17-point first-quarter lead before defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 37-23 on Sunday.

Geno Smith completed 20 of 27 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, his fifth multi-TD game of the season. Jason Myers added three field goals for the Seahawks (4-3), who won three of four and took a half-game lead in the NFC West.

Seattle led 17-0 at the end of the first quarter, its biggest lead after 15 minutes since a win over New Orleans in Week 13 of 2013. It was the Seahawks’ biggest road lead at the end of the first since 2000.

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It was the third straight week the Chargers (4-3) were down by double digits in the first quarter. They rallied against Cleveland and Denver, but fell short this time and lost a three-game winning streak. LA now trails Kansas City by one game in the AFC West.

Justin Herbert finished 33 of 51 for 293 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, marking the second time in his career he’s thrown at least 50 passes in consecutive games. Austin Ekeler had 127 scrimmage yards (96 receiving, 31 rushing) and a pair of touchdowns, giving him eight over the past three games.

Mike Williams added seven receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Walker took over as Seattle’s starting running back after Rashaad Penny suffered a season-ending ankle injury two weeks ago. Five plays after Ryan Neal knocked out Herbert, Walker lost 12 yards from left guard to extend the Seahawks’ lead to 14-0 with 4:17 left in the first quarter.

The second-round pick opened play in the fourth quarter with a 74-yard sprint down the right sideline to make it 37-16.

Seattle Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett #16 celebrates with Kenneth Walker III #9 after a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
(Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

JC JACKSON, DK METCALF LEAVE SEAHAWKS-CHARGERS GAME WITH KNEE INJURIES

It was the first multi-TD game for Goodwin since 2018, when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. Goodwin, in his first season with the Seahawks, had six catches for 79 yards before the game, but saw his time increase after DK Metcalf was sent off with a knee injury in the first quarter and Tyler Lockett was limited by hamstring strain.

Goodwin gave Seattle a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when he beat Asante Samuel Jr. in coverage and completed a 20-yard pass into the right corner of the end zone.

The Seahawks extended their lead to 24-14 with 1:40 left in the first half when Goodwin edged JC Jackson for 23 yards.

Los Angeles went 17-14 with touchdowns on consecutive runs. Ekeler had a 7-yard run and Williams caught a 13-yard pass from Herbert to shoot the Chargers in a field goal with 9:43 left in the second quarter.

The Chargers got their first safety since the end of the 2020 season when Sebastian Joseph-Day and Troy Reeder knocked Walker down in the end zone early in the fourth to bring them back to 27-16.

Marquise Goodwin #11 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after completing a touchdown reception during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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INJURIES

Seahawks: LB Nick Bellore and OG Phil Haynes suffered concussions in the second half. … DT Poona Ford injured his foot in the first quarter and did not return.

Chargers: CB JC Jackson hurt his knee on Goodwin’s second touchdown. He was fitted with an air cast and transported. … LB Chris Rumpf II suffered a hip/knee injury during the fourth quarter. … Williams hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter.

NEXT

Seahawks: Host the New York Giants next Sunday.

Chargers: Say goodbye next week, then travel to play in Atlanta on Nov. 6.