The Seattle Seahawks successfully defended home turf with a 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers that was not nearly as competitive as the final score would suggest. The Seahawks were in full control and had swifty built a 27-6 lead to begin the third quarter. Los Angeles hung around just long enough to make the final score appear a little more respectable, but there was little doubt about the final outcome of this game.
Seattle slogged through the win despite an inordinate amount of penalties that hampered their dominance a bit, but ultimately it didn't affect them... this week, at least.
Here are our top takeaways at Seahawks Wire for Seattle's 30-23 win in NFL Week 4.
No. 1 - Great day if you like yellow laundry!
The Seahawks (14) and Chargers (16) were flagged 30 times for 280 penalty
yards. Not only is that obviously the most in the 2026 season so far, it’s also the most combined penalty yards in a Seahawks game since they beat the Bucs 13-10 in 1976 when both teams were flagged 39 times for 310 yards For those wondering, yes, that is still a post-merger NFL record! Seattle got away with it on Sunday because this Chargers squad is abysmal, but they simply must find a way to clean things up. Giving up a free 150 yards to an opponent is a "great" way to keep teams in games far longer than they should, and doing so against a team like... oh, let's say the undefeated San Francisco 49ers... is tantamount to a death knell. Head coach Mike Macdonald was clearly unhappy about this performance, especially the seven personal foul penalties.
"We want to win games, but we want to be the Seahawks. We are grateful for wins, but we're not there yet."
— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) October 5, 2026
Mike Macdonald is clearly frustrated by how sloppy Seattle was today, especially with the serious penalties.
No. 2 - Ground game gets back on track
Despite being without rookie Jadarian Price, who was placed on IR prior to the game, the Seahawks' bounced back with a much-improved rushing attack from their Week 3 loss. Against the Commanders, Seattle only had 44 yards as a team. Against the Chargers? Completely different story, as the Seahawks bullied their way to 138 as a team. Leading the way was Emanuel Wilson who had 81 and two total touchdowns. However, it is concerning the Seahawks gave up 147 to the Chargers. The Seahawks' otherwise stellar rush defense will need to clamp down against San Francisco next week.
No. 3 - Seahawks proved they aren't entirely JSN-dependent
Don't get me wrong, Jaxon Smith-Njigba still had a great day. JSN hauled in five receptions for 76 yards, although he did not find the end zone for the first time this season. It's astonishing that a great day like this is easily his "worst" output of the season. However, I find more positives than not here. Going into Week 4, JSN had accounted for all but three of Seattle's total touchdowns this season. Against the Chargers, Rashid Shaheed, Emanuel Wilson and Tory Horton were the points producers for the Seahawks. Getting the ground game going and receivers like Shaheed and Horton more involved will keep opposing defenses honest and not just hone in on JSN... (not like they can stop him).
No. 4 - Not Sam Darnold's best day
He wasn't terrible, but the Seahawks' quarterback wasn't nearly as efficient or effective as the 12th Man has come to expect. Darnold completed only 13-of-22 passes for 168 yards, threw two touchdown passes, had an interception on the first play of the game, and took three sacks. Darnold was also flagged for delay of game and intentional grounding. Seattle's starter looked rustier in his second game back than he did last week against the Commanders. He did eventually settle in, but it wasn't the kind of afternoon fans are going to be wistfully remembering for years to come.
No. 5 - Seahawks keep pace in NFC West
This is perhaps the most important aspect of Week 4's win. Seattle just completed one of their softest stretches in their schedule, with four games against the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders and LA Chargers. Going 3-1 down this stretch is a great place to be, because moving forward the Seahawks will have to play the 49ers, Broncos, Chiefs, and Bears before they get the Cardinals again. Oh, and the Rams survived in week 4 to get back to 2-2 with a comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Seattle kept the Rams from matching their record and stayed within a game of the undefeated 49ers.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Top Seahawks takeaways from NFL Week 4 defeat of Los Angeles Chargers
