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CARSON [url=http://www.giantscheapstore.com/riley-dixon-jersey-cheap]Riley Dixon Jersey[/url] , Calif. (AP) — Although Philip Rivers has only faced the Seattle Seahawks three times in games that count, he knows nearly everything about their defense because of Gus Bradley.

Rivers used that know-how to get the Los Angeles Chargers off to a strong start in their first victory of the preseason.

Melvin Gordon rushed for a short touchdown to cap a strong 70-yard opening drive by the Bolts’ first-teamers, and Rivers went 6 of 7 for 62 yards in Los Angeles’ 24-14 preseason victory over the Seahawks on Saturday night.

Rivers played only two series in his first action of the preseason, but he had six consecutive completions. He also made a few plays by capably eluding the Seattle rush and connecting with strong throws on the run.

None of it surprised Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Bradley, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, ran Carroll’s defense in Seattle for four years, and Los Angeles’ scheme is awfully similar.

“Philip had us a couple of times,” Carroll said. “He knew what he was going against, and he did a great job. He plays against our defense every day (in practice).”

Russell Wilson was 13 of 21 for 193 yards while playing the entire first half for the Seahawks (0-2). His offense was limited to two field goals by execution mistakes in the red zone, and Wilson was repeatedly flushed from the pocket by Melvin Ingram while the Chargers’ destructive pass rusher had an outstanding first half.

David Moore made the Seahawks’ biggest play of the first half, hauling in a 52-yard catch between two Chargers downfield. Seattle could have kept it closer, but Chris Carson had a touchdown run waved off by a penalty and later fumbled at the goal line in the first half.

“In the red zone in particular, we’ve got to stay on schedule,” Wilson said. “That’s the lesson we learned from tonight [url=http://www.falconscheapstore.com/austin-hooper-jersey-cheap]Austin Hooper Jersey[/url] , but the great thing was really the score should have been 21-7 pretty early. First three drives, we get three touchdown opportunities, and that’s what we look for. We go to the truth of what we did and where we can get better.”

JJ Jones returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown late in the first half, and Mike Williams caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith in the second half of the Chargers’ preseason home opener in their second season at compact StubHub Center. Coach Anthony Lynn was infuriated by 14 penalties, but otherwise pleased.

“Classic example of bend-but-don’t-break defense,” Lynn said. “They didn’t let them in the end zone, and that’s the most important thing.”

Smith then made a strong argument for the Chargers’ backup job, going 6 of 8 for 85 yards. His TD pass came on an eye-opening catch by Williams, who jumped over Seattle cornerback Akeem King and hauled in the first score of his NFL career for a 21-6 lead.

Seahawks rookie Alex McGough led a solid drive in the final minutes, hitting Malik Turner with a 12-yard touchdown pass.

Robert Aguayo hit a 39-yard field goal with 40 seconds left, boosting his bid to win the Chargers’ kicking job.

BIG MIKE

Williams was the seventh overall pick in last year’s draft, but the Clemson product’s career got off to a slow start because of injuries. He is healthy and eager to become a force in the Chargers’ already bulging receiving corps alongside Pro Bowler Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams.

“It’s good to see Mike take the drill to the field,” Lynn said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.”

KICKING IN

Jones made another argument for a spot on the regular-season roster with a spectacular burst through the heart of the Seahawks’ punt coverage team on the way to a score. The undrafted free agent from West Georgia has turned heads throughout camp.

“That was a backbreaker [url=http://www.dolphinscheapstore.com/kenyan-drake-jersey-cheap]Kenyan Drake Jersey[/url] , and the difference in the game,” Carroll said.

INJURIES

Seahawks: RG D.J. Fluker dislocated his finger, but Carroll doesn’t think it’s serious: “He’s an offensive lineman. I think he can handle that.”

Chargers: S Jaylen Watkins started, but was helped off the field late in the first half with a right knee injury. Ingram fell on his teammate on the play, and Watkins couldn’t put weight on his leg. He will have an MRI exam Sunday, Lynn said.

ANTHEM UPDATE

Chargers left tackle Russell Okung raised his right fist during the national anthem. Three Seahawks stayed off the field during the anthem for the second consecutive week: offensive tackle Duane Brown, defensive end Branden Jackson and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.

UP NEXT

Seahawks: At the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 24.

Chargers: Host the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 25.

Carson Wentz made the rounds along Radio Row at last year’s Super Bowl and promised himself he’d be back for this one.

He’s here, but only as a cheerleader.

Wentz led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 10-2 start before he tore his left ACL and LCL in Week 14. Nick Foles replaced him, helped the Eagles clinch the NFC East and secure the No. 1 seed, and was spectacular in the conference championship game against Minnesota.

Wentz watched both playoff games from the sideline: the victory over the Falcons on crutches and the rout of the Vikings on a cane. He’s rooting hard for his teammates and enjoying their success without him. Wentz will be their No. 1 fan Sunday when they take on the New England Patriots and try to win the franchise’s first NFL title since 1960.

It’s not easy for any competitor to be forced to sit out.

”It’s just tough knowing that could be you,” said Wentz, who is walking without assistance now. ”I had my sights set on this thing since I knew we weren’t making the playoffs last year. I had my sights set on playing in Minneapolis. It’s right down the road from home. Here we are. It just looks different for me.”

Wentz, from neighboring North Dakota, is more than just a spectator. He has been a major presence around the team following surgery [url=http://www.chargerscheapstore.com/keenan-allen-jersey-cheap]Keenan Allen Jersey[/url] , goes to quarterback meetings, watches film and supports Foles as much as possible.

”He’s been outstanding,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. ”One of the greatest things about a person is when you see him celebrating somebody else’s success. To be happy for Nick who is at your position, who could potentially be stealing another person’s thunder, that’s the pretty cool thing about, of all the great things that he’s done this year, even more exemplifies the kind of leader that he is.”

Foles has said all the right things since the minute he stepped into the starting lineup. He’s close with Wentz and makes it a point to always give him credit for leading the Eagles from worst to first in the division.

”This is Carson’s team,” Foles said. ”I’ve had to take it over, but Carson is a tremendous player. I think he’s the MVP of the league. He’s a huge reason why we’re in this position. It’s been awesome just being around him. He’s handled this thing amazingly and he continues to be such a great leader in our locker room. When we go through game film and we go through everything, he’s an extremely intelligent player, so I listen to everything that he says.”

Wentz, the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft, started every game his rookie season when the Eagles went 7-9. He took a giant leap as a sophomore, tossing 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games.

Wentz was voted to the Pro Bowl and is a contender for the NFL MVP award that will be announced Saturday night.

”He’s done such an amazing job in his two years in the NFL of continuing to create this atmosphere and obviously going out there making electric plays [url=http://www.chiefscheapstore.com/anthony-sherman-jersey-cheap]Anthony Sherman Jersey[/url] , but really just making everyone believe,” Foles said. ”That hasn’t changed though he’s injured. He’s still around, and I love having him around.”

While Foles stood center stage with Tom Brady at media night, Wentz sat in the stands at the hockey arena and spoke to reporters for about 25 minutes. He has relied on his strong faith to get him through the disappointment.

”When it comes to an injury like this, the season we were having, the season I was having personally and it gets taken away, it’s just a chance to practice what I preach and that I play for (God) and it’s not for myself,” Wentz said. ”It’s taught me a lot so far. He closed this door on this season for me but I know he’s going to open many other doors and he’s going to use me.”

If Foles leads the Eagles to victory over the Patriots , there still won’t be a quarterback controversy in Philadelphia. Foles is signed through next season and provides insurance if Wentz isn’t ready to start the season opener. Having Foles on the roster allows Philadelphia the luxury of giving Wentz all the time he needs to get his knee right.

”Two years ago, the plan was to acquire a quarterback,” coach Doug Pederson said. ”That was our first plan, and we were able to do that in Carson. We do have the quarterback of the future for the Eagles, obviously.”

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