Seahawks vs. Chargers: Breaking Down Seattle's Game Plan

One week into the season, they remain the envy of the NFL after a dominant victory over the promising Green Bay Packers. This week the Seattle Seahawks head to San Diego to take on a Chargers team that has been touted by some, such as Football Outsiders' Aaron Schatz, as a Super Bowl contender (via ESPN Insider, subscription required).

The Seahawks have the opportunity to the season 2-0 in a division with two other 1-0 teams. Seattle heads into the game as the favorite up to 6.5 over San Diego, per Odds Shark. San Diego played the Arizona Cardinals, but mistakes cost them the game.

Seattle Seahawks	Category	San Diego Chargers
12th	Total Offense	27th
2nd	Scoring Offense	t21st
23rd	Passing Offense	17th
20th	Yards Per Attempt	23rd
2nd	Rushing Offense	31st
7th	Yards Per Attempt	31st
4th	Total Defense	23rd
t7th	Scoring Defense	13th
7th	Passing Defense	24th
t4th	Yards Per Attempt	t26th
10th	Rushing Defense	16th
t6th	Yards Per Attempt	t14th

On Defense...

The Chargers held the 12th-ranked offense in 2013 to 18 points, but they struggled offensively with keeping Philip Rivers upright. Rivers has a wealth of weapons at his disposal in Keenan Allen, Malcolm Floyd, Eddie Royal, Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green.

Notwithstanding, it was clear toward the end of the game that Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was willing to bet his guys could get to Rivers before Rivers could find a receiver. The gamble worked to perfection, even though they didn't record a single sack in the game.

While Bowles sent several five- and six-man blitzes to challenge Rivers, the Seahawks were able to pick up all three of their sacks rushing just four. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn sent an extra pass-rusher just three times against the Packers, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

The Seahawks defensive-line rotation will need to generate consistent push to force the not-so-fleet-of-foot Rivers to move around in the pocket. The Chargers offensive line combined for a score of minus-25, per Pro Football Focus last season, so it is susceptible to being beaten.

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Seattle will need to get in Rivers' face with four pass-rushers and force him to throw into last season's top pass defense.

An interesting stat from ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams: The Chargers went 9-2 last season when they rushed for 112 yards or more. The Seahawks came out and stopped Green Bay on the ground in Week 1, holding Eddie Lacy to 34 yards on 12 carries. The Packers finished the game with 80 yards on the ground.

Though they struggled against the Cardinals on Monday night, the Chargers will come out and try to establish the run early against Seattle. Do not expect the Chargers to avoid Richard Sherman's side of the field the way Aaron Rodgers did. Despite Green Bay's superior weapons, Rivers is bit more of a risk-taker.

On Offense...

What the Seahawks do best is run the football. The offensive line may not be the best at holding back opposing defenses trying to sack Russell Wilson, but they are very adept at opening running lanes. Seattle managed to blow out the high-flying Packers while throwing for just 191 yards.

One of Marshawn Lynch's greatest strengths is his ability to break tackles or make defenders miss. Last season, Lynch led the league in missed tackles with 75, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Adrian Peterson came in second with 58. After one game, Lynch already has eight missed tackles.

Lynch's ability to break tackles often results in setting the Seahawks up for success with better down and distances on second and third down. The Chargers allowed Arizona to rush for 109 yards last week, including 29 from Carson Palmer.

Wilson is going to be an absolute handful for the Chargers defense if it is not able to create some better containment of the quarterback. The Seahawks rushed for 207 yards against Green Bay, led by Lynch's 110 yards but aided by the voluminous use of a healthy Percy Harvin.

Harvin rushed for 41 yards and had 59 yards receiving. Bleacher Reportss own Matt Bowen dissects one of Harvin's receptions:

The use of Lynch and Harvin poses a serious threat to San Diego's defense that will be difficult to handle. They did a solid job of containing dual-threat back Andre Ellington to 53 yards rushing and 27 yards receiving. 

It will take another strong showing from the Chargers defense to keep this game within reach. One major factor that may prove the value of home games for the Seahawks is their margin-of-victory disparity in 2013.

The Seahawks won by an average of just over 15 points per home game, compared to a win margin of a bit less than eight on the road. In the end, I don't see San Diego being able to play well enough on both sides of the ball to get the win.

Prediction: SEA 27, SD 20