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The Seahawks will be looking for a rebound on Sunday while the Chargers just want a win

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The Seahawks will be looking for a rebound on Sunday while the Chargers just want a win
Sport

Sport

The Seahawks will be looking for a rebound on Sunday while the Chargers just want a win

2026-10-02 03:17 Last Updated At:03:31

The Seattle Seahawks need just a few tweaks, according to coach Mike Macdonald. No need to overhaul the defending Super Bowl champions in the wake of one loss.

The Seahawks fell 33-31 last weekend on the road against the Washington Commanders, snapping a 12-game winning streak. They'll look to rebound at home on Sunday when they face the winless Los Angeles Chargers.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs from Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs from Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“In our world, we try to remain as consistent as possible and think about the things that we can control within our process, that we can improve,” Macdonald said. "Obviously, the context after a loss is a little bit different than after a win, but we try to keep the mentality the same. It’s good exercise in practicing what we preach this week.”

One of the areas that needs a look is the running game. The Seahawks gained just 44 yards on the ground against the Commanders and just 19 in the second half.

Rookie running back Jadarian Price lost a fumble early in the game and finished with 15 yards on five carries.

Help may soon be on the way. Zach Charbonnet is still on the physically unable to perform list, but once he practices, there will be a 21-day window to return to the active roster. Macdonald said Charbonnet could return to practice Thursday.

Charbonnet, who was sidelined by a torn ACL, ran for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

“He’s doing a great job and he’s in a great position mentally. It’s just about what’s the best time and how does that create the most opportunities to get them ready to play?” Macdonald said.

But again, the Seahawks aren't looking for a wholesale run-game rebuild.

“Sometimes you just don’t get the run game off the ground in a certain game and you don’t hit the panic button, you just go back to work and try to find more solutions and just keep trying to solve problems and go try to make it better," Macdonald said.

As for the Chargers, well, they just need a win after starting 0-3. Only one team has ever gone to the playoffs after an 0-4 start. That team was the 1992 San Diego Chargers.

Following the Chargers' 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend, coach Jim Harbaugh said quarterback Justin Herbert needs to improve.

Herbert has thrown for 627 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions through three games.

And he's been sacked eight times.

“Be better. Be better,” Harbaugh said. “And that drives Justin, that drives me, that drives his position coach, that drives Mike (McDaniel), the coordinator. I mean, it drives us all.”

Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) vs Seattle Seahawks (2-1).

When/where to watch: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, CBS.

Latest odds: Seahawks by 6 1/2.

Against the spread: The Chargers are 0-3, the Seahawks are 1-1-1.

Last week: Chargers lost at the Bills 24-16, Seahawks lost at the Commanders 33-31.

Last meeting: The Seahawks won 37-23 on Oct. 23, 2022, in Los Angeles.

Series Record: Seahawks lead 27-25.

Sam Darnold against the Chargers' secondary: Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold returned from a glute injury and completed 31 of 45 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns against Washington. He also threw a pair of interceptions, including a pick-6 with 3:57 left. It was just the sixth pick-6 of his career. On the other side, Chargers rookie safety Genesis Smith had a pair of interceptions — the first of his career — against Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.

— The Chargers are one of five NFL teams that are 0-3 to start the season. The others are the Dolphins, Titans, Texans and Buccaneers.

— The Seahawks' defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in the last 32 games, an ongoing NFL record.

— LA linebacker Daiyan Henley recovered two fumbles against the Bills and the Chargers had five total takeaways in the game. It was the most for the team in a regular-season game since Nov. 19, 2017, when they had six, also against the Bills.

— The Chargers have allowed opponents 24 or more points in each of their first three games.

— The loss to the Commanders snapped a 12-game winning streak for Seattle.

— Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has at least eight caches, 120 receiving yards and a touchdown in the team's first three games, becoming the first NFL player to do so. Overall this season, he has 405 receiving yards and six touchdowns, two in each of the Seahawks’ first three games.

— Chargers RB Omarion Hampton has rushed for a team-leading 193 yards and two touchdowns

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs from Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs from Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts rocketed into orbit Thursday on a space station mission that will stretch until spring, among them a Canadian whose wife will give birth while he’s away.

SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for NASA after a three-week delay to fix their Dragon capsule’s leaking fuel system. Thick clouds threatened all morning to halt the countdown but in the end, the skies cleared enough to allow for a safe liftoff.

Although their stay at the International Space Station will last a long six months, the flight there promised to be the quickest yet for Elon Musk’s company: a mere eight-hour transit with an arrival well before bedtime.

With the late morning liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit. A geologist who worked with NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity a decade ago, Watkins is making her second trip to the space station following a lengthy stay in 2022.

“Thanks for an amazing ride,” Watkins radioed after reaching orbit.

The others are newcomers to space: NASA’s Luke Delaney, a retired Marine; Canada’s Joshua Kutryk, a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force; and Russia’s Sergey Teteryatnikov, a former submariner. They will replace four astronauts who have been living at the orbiting laboratory since February.

This was the 13th crew launched by SpaceX for NASA, not counting 2020's test flight. All four embrace their Crew-13 designation that pays homage in their mission patch to Apollo 13. The harrowing 1970 moonshot ended with the astronauts’ safe return.

References to the number 13 abounded Thursday. Watkins and her crew rode to the launch pad in black Teslas bearing plates that read “Lucky 13.” What's more, they carried up a small crocheted golden dragon named Lucky with a four-leaf clover around its neck.

“We figured it wouldn't hurt to bring a little of our own luck just in case, but clearly we don't need it,” Watkins said from orbit, noting they were “four of the luckiest humans on or off planet Earth.”

Kutryk will become the fourth man to become a father while orbiting Earth. Wife Heather is due to give birth to their third child in late November. The Canadian Space Agency promises plenty of support for the entire family when the big day comes.

“A lot of life-changing things can happen over six months,” NASA manager Dana Weigel said on the eve of liftoff, noting that the space agency will do its best to keep Kutryk looped in to his family.

In 2004, NASA provided a radio link between space station astronaut Mike Fincke and his wife’s delivery room during the birth of their daughter. Five years later, Randy Bresnik, commander of next year’s Artemis III mission, dialed in to his wife’s hospital from orbit.

The happy news traveled more slowly for Austrian astronaut Franz Viehbock. His daughter was born a few hours after he launched to the Soviet Union’s Mir space station in 1991. He was not informed until the next day.

SpaceX, meanwhile, is on a roll. Three hours after Crew-13 blasted off, SpaceX launched a Falcon rocket from California with more than 100 mini satellites. Another Falcon was set to soar late Thursday night from Florida, with a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. All this comes the same week that the company's massive Starship reached orbit for the first time.

The Associated Press’ health and science coverage receives financial support from the AP Fund for Journalism and private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org

Astronaut Joshua Kutryk, of Canada, leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Astronaut Joshua Kutryk, of Canada, leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The booster from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket returns to pad 40 after launching the crew capsule at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The booster from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket returns to pad 40 after launching the crew capsule at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, of Russia, greets family and friends as he leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, of Russia, greets family and friends as he leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Pilot Luke Delaney, left, and commander Jessica Watkins leave the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Pilot Luke Delaney, left, and commander Jessica Watkins leave the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Commander Jessica Watkins greets family and friends as she leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Commander Jessica Watkins greets family and friends as she leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Astronauts, from left, Joshua Kutryk, of Canada, pilot Luke Delaney, commander Jessica Watkins and Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, of Russia leave the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Astronauts, from left, Joshua Kutryk, of Canada, pilot Luke Delaney, commander Jessica Watkins and Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, of Russia leave the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Astronauts, from left, Joshua Kutryk, of Canada, pilot Luke Delaney, commander Jessica Watkins and Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, of Russia leave the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Astronauts, from left, Joshua Kutryk, of Canada, pilot Luke Delaney, commander Jessica Watkins and Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, of Russia leave the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four launches from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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