Tuesday 22 August 2017 17:23, UK
The LA Chargers scored a touchdown on the opening drive of their first pre-season game since relocation but they slumped to a 48-17 loss to Seattle on Sunday.
Quarterback Phillip Rivers and his offence marched 75 yards in 13 plays, capped by an Antonio Gates touchdown, to hand the Chargers the perfect start to their three-year residency at the 27,000-seat StubHub Center.
But the Chargers' revamped defence clearly has work to do under new co-ordinator Gus Bradley after giving up 459 yards to the Seahawks, who largely fielded reserves for their visit to Los Angeles.
Back-up quarterback Trevone Boykin threw for 189 yards in a first half where Seattle scored 37 points, with their backup defence forcing three turnovers.
Prior to the start of the game, Seattle's Pro Bowl defensive lineman Michael Bennett remained seated on the Seahawks' bench with a towel on his head during the national anthem.
Bennett was at least the third prominent NFL player to protest during the anthem in the first full week of preseason games.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch - a former team-mate of Bennett's in Seattle - also sat during the anthem.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist, continuing his approach from last season following then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the anthem.
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The regular season of home and away matches run from September to December 2017, culminating in PlayOffs from January 6, 2018 and the Super Bowl on February 4, 2018 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota to determine the world champion.
