INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Kicking off the Mike Macdonald era with a solid start, the Seattle Seahawks scored a pair of touchdowns to build a 13-3 advantage at halftime over the Los Angeles Chargers in their preseason opener.

Making the start under center in place of Geno Smith, who Seattle opted not to play, Sam Howell only completed 10 out of 20 passes for 60 yards, but he didn’t have any turnovers and connected with tight end Brady Russell for a 13-yard touchdown to open the scoring at the 13:27 mark in the second quarter. Moments later, following an interception by safety Coby Bryant, undrafted rookie running back George Holani bounced a run outside to his ride to scamper for an 11-yard touchdown run to extend the lead.

Standing out for the offense, which only mustered 3.4 yards per play for the half but finished both red zone visits with a touchdown, Kenny McIntosh led the Seahawks with 40 rushing yards on eight carries, while Howell and undrafted rookie Kobe Lewis each ran for 17 yards on four carries apiece. Dareke Young paced Seattle’s receiving corps with two catches for 18 yards and Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a pair of passes for 13 yards

While the Seahawks were anything but explosive in the first half, they were efficient sustaining drives, as Howell and company converted seven out of 12 third downs to move the chains.

Defensively, Macdonald had to be thrilled by the effort Seattle’s defense gave in the first two quarters, holding Los Angeles to just three first downs, 71 total yards, and no third down conversions on seven attempts. Linebacker Jon Rhattigan and edge rusher Derick Hall each registered a sack on quarterback Easton Stick, while first-round pick Byron Murphy crashed into the backfield for a tackle for loss and also added two pressures as a pass rusher.

On special teams, Laviska Shenault exploded for a 44-yard return on Seattle’s lone kickoff return, providing some excitement about what the new rules adopted for the NFL could mean for a play that had become near non-existent in recent years.

SEATTLE – Seattle woke up to cloudy, overcast skies Saturday morning. Hazy sunshine will follow this afternoon. Thankfully, there will be very few impacts on air quality from the smoke.

This morning felt more like autumn than summer! A cozy blanket of clouds hovered over much of Western Washington. Ultimately, these clouds will lift – giving way to plentiful sunshine this afternoon. 

Temperatures cool to the 70s in Seattle Sunday and Monday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Keep in mind: there will still be smoke across the region. The good news is that most of the smoke will be higher in the atmosphere. Only a little haze is making its way closer to the surface. As a result, we expect air quality to only drop to “moderate” readings in Western Washington. This means there’s a moderate health impact on vulnerable populations including those with respiratory sensitivities.

Highs will warm to the upper 70s and low 80s in the greater Seattle region. (FOX 13 Seattle)

If you have asthma, COVID-19, COPD or are pregnant, I’d consider checking air quality levels before doing vigorous outdoor activities today. 

Worse air quality is forecast in Central and Eastern Washington due to ongoing wildfires. 

Below is a screenshot of air quality from earlier this morning. Here are links to more resources: https://pscleanair.gov/

https://enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/mobile/

Air quality will be at “moderate” levels for parts of Puget Sound Saturday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

This afternoon, there’s a low chance for lightning over the Cascades. Near Yakima, there’s a better potential for lightning. This is elevating the threat of fire danger. Gusty conditions from thunderstorms can fuel fires as well. A Red Flag Warning is posted just west of Yakima.

Light smoke is possible near the surface Saturday in Seattle. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Far less smoke is expected Sunday in Seattle. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Tomorrow, any leftover haze will be pushed into Eastern Washington thanks to an increase in winds from the west. You can plan on cooler and cloudier weather Sunday through Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday, air quality should remain good for the most part. Early clouds will clear for afternoon sunshine. 

Much cooler weather is on the way for Seattle this week. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Take good care and have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly, 

Meteorologist Abby Acone

SEATTLE — Since his trade from the Mariners, Edwin Diaz hadn’t returned to his old stomping ground wearing a Mets uniform. 

That changed Friday, when Diaz finally got back to T-Mobile Park.

Diaz arrived to the Mets after the 2018 season with Robinson Cano in the trade that sent Jarred Kelenic, Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Justin Dunn and Gerson Bautista to the Mariners. 

Diaz, who was drafted and developed by the Mariners, recalled the discussions when he was approached in the minor leagues about shifting from a starter to reliever. 

“They told me in the minor leagues, ‘You are going straight to the big leagues if you come in from the bullpen and do your job,’” Diaz said before the Mets’ 6-0 loss to the Mariners. “They put me as a reliever, I did my job and they did it: they brought me up.” 

Diaz, who did not pitch Friday, debuted with the Mariners in 2016 and finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Two years later Diaz led the major leagues with 57 saves. 

He recalled preparing to attend a concert with his wife at home in Puerto Rico after the 2018 season when he received a phone call from a Mariners official telling him there was a good chance he would be traded to the Mets.

When he returned from the concert, Diaz said he received a call telling him the deal was complete and he should head to Port St. Lucie, Fla., for a physical. 

“Robbie Cano called me … and I said to him, ‘Wherever you go, if I go with you, I will be fine,’ ” Diaz said. “I got lucky. I got traded with him to New York.” 

Reed Garrett is back with the Mets, but the reliever was not activated for Friday’s game.

Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated the plan was to wait until the Mets have a need for a fresh arm in the bullpen before activating Garrett from the injured list and making a corresponding roster move. 

Starling Marte will join Double-A Binghamton on Sunday to continue his minor league rehab assignment.

The veteran outfielder played two games for Low-A St. Lucie last week.

Mendoza didn’t rule out the possibility of Marte rejoining the Mets at some point on the next homestand.

Marte has been on the injured list since June 25 with a bone bruise in his right knee.