The Los Angeles Chargers are facing adversity for the first time all season, losing two in a row to fall out of the AFC West lead and battling for a playoff spot in a talented conference. Los Angeles heads back to the eastern time zone this week to square off against a Philadelphia Eagles team that is 0-7-1 against AFC opponents in its last eight contests.
Philadelphia has problems of its own at home this season, losing all three of its games at Lincoln Financial Field and four straight games dating to last season -- the team's longest losing streak at home since dropping 10 in a row between the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The task won't be easy as Los Angeles is 12-3 in the last 15 games against NFC East teams, winning four of their last five road games in the process.
Justin Herbert heads to Philadelphia for the first time as the Chargers look to stay above .500 while Jalen Hurts looks to keep the Eagles in contention for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Here's a preview of Sunday's interconference clash:
How to watchDate: Sunday, Nov. 7 | Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Chargers -1.5, O/U 50
Give Philadelphia credit for actually committing to the run in a Week 8 win vs. the Detroit Lions. Philadelphia ran for a season-high 236 yards, with three different players rushing for at least 50 yards (Hurts, Boston Scott and Jordan Howard) -- carrying the ball a season-high 46 times (averaging 5.1 yards per carry). The Eagles are third in the NFL in yards per carry (5.0) and sixth in the league in rushing yards per game (131.6) -- yet just 14th in attempts per game (26.2).
Philadelphia would be wise to run the ball against Los Angeles, as the Chargers are last in the league in yards allowed per game (159.4) and yards per carry allowed (5.1). The Chargers have issues against the run, so Nick Sirianni needs to use the strength of his offense to the Eagles' advantage. The Chargers' defense as a whole has struggled over the past two weeks, allowing 34.3 points per game and 403.3 yards per game.
Jalen Hurts vs. Chargers pass defenseWhether Hurts is the Eagles' quarterback of the future remains to be seen, but it's fair to point out his struggles over the last four games. Hurts has completed just 54.9% of his passes during that stretch, with three passing touchdowns and two interceptions (73.9 rating) and averaging 5.87 yards per attempt. Hurts is certainly struggling throwing the football, which could be a reason why the Eagles have a newfound commitment to the run.
The Chargers pass defense will be a challenge for Hurts, as it allows just 203.1 yards per game (fifth in the NFL). The 6.5 yards per pass attempt allowed is eighth in the league while their 65.91% completion rate is 16th in the league. Hurts can complete passes against Los Angeles if the Eagles go back to bubble screens and short passes -- a strength of Hurts.
This is a week the Eagles should run the ball, but will need to balance out the passing game to keep the Chargers honest. Having Hurts under center and running play-action will help with that -- and improve his completion percentage in the process.
PredictionLatest Odds: Philadelphia Eagles +1.5
The Eagles' defense has struggled against good quarterbacks, thanks to defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon playing two safeties deep and not sending an extra rusher to get the quarterback off his spot. Gannon should blitz Herbert and not worry about getting beat by the deep ball, but previous games suggest the Lions game was an outlier.
Herbert has been struggling the last two games, completing just 54.1% of his passes with three touchdowns to three interceptions with 5.6 yards per attempt. The Eagles need to attack Herbert and get him uncomfortable early, but good
