Overview
- On Sunday at Lumen Field, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw an interception on the game's first play that Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas returned to give Seattle the ball.
- One snap later Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold threw an interception that Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu corralled, creating an unprecedented two‑play exchange of picks to open the game.
- Data analyst QBgami posted that, per his database, this was the first time in NFL history both starting quarterbacks threw interceptions on the first two plays and NBC Sports confirmed the picks occurred on consecutive opening snaps.
- Darnold responded immediately by finding Emanuel Wilson for a 23‑yard touchdown on the next Seattle snap and the Seahawks built a 20-3 lead by halftime.
- The sequence underscored Seattle's defensive playmaking and the Chargers' early-season struggles under Jim Harbaugh while leaving open questions about interception trends for Herbert and ball‑security fixes for Los Angeles.