Seahawks vs. Chargers, NFL preseason 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream

The Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers get the primetime national TV treatment on Saturday night for their third -- and most important -- preseason game. CBS will air this intriguing matchup between the two-time defending NFC champion Seahawks and a Chargers team looking to knock the Denver Broncos off their perch atop the AFC West.

Although San Diego has looked mostly sharp on offense, its sputtering running game really needs to show improvement against the Seahawks. The Chargers averaged 2.6 yards per carry with the first-unit offensive line in the first two preseason games, but they should be bolstered by the return of rookie Melvin Gordon, who missed last week's game with an ankle injury. Head coach Mike McCoy emphasized the need to eliminate negative plays -- there were seven of them against the Arizona Cardinals -- and run the ball more efficiently.

Another thing to watch for San Diego is the return of Philip Rivers, who was a healthy scratch last week in the desert. Rivers played just six snaps in the preseason opener, so look for him to get extensive playing time against the Seahawks in what is expected to be his final tune-up before the start of the regular season.

The Chargers also are one of the few teams that still seem to have a kicking competition in progress. Undrafted rookie Josh Lambo made three field goals last Saturday, including a 47-yard game-winner, and he has a legitimate shot to unseat incumbent Nick Novak. Lambo, a former MLS goalie, has the stronger leg for kickoffs, while Novak obviously has more experience and has been one of the most accurate kickers in the league over the past few years (although he did miss an extra point this preseason).

The Seahawks have yet to unleash the "Legion of Boom" this preseason, but expect that to somewhat change against the Chargers. While there is no indication that safety Kam Chancellor is going to end his holdout or that Earl Thomas is healthy enough to play just yet, cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Will Blackmon and Tharold Simon are expected to be back in action for Saturday's game. Cary Williams is the only projected starter who suited up in the first two games. Seattle's defensive back depth continues to be tested, but in the long term the extended reps among the backups could be a net positive for the Seahawks during the regular season.

Aside from the potential injuries in the secondary, the biggest question mark on the Seahawks' roster heading into the regular season is probably the configuration of the offensive line. Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters early this week that the same five guys who started last week's game -- Russell Okung, Justin Britt, Drew Nowak, J.R. Sweezy and Garry Gilliam -- will again be on the field to start against the Chargers, and that the coaching staff is getting closer to a final decision. This group can solidify its status as the starting unit with another strong performance Saturday night in San Diego.

How To Watch

When: 8 p.m. ET

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Dan Fouts

TV: CBS

Online: NFL Game Pass

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