Chargers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Who has the edge?
CHARGERS (8-4) vs. EAGLES (8-4)
When: Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: Ch. 7/ESPN; 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Eagles by 2½
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: TE Tucker Fisk (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring), QB Justin Herbert (hand), DL Otito Ogbonnia (elbow).
Eagles: OUT: DT Jalen Carter (shoulders), OL Lane Johnson (foot). QUESTIONABLE: S Marcus Epps (shoulder), OL Myles Hinton (back).
What’s at stake: The Chargers’ season-ending schedule looked difficult when it was revealed back on May 14. It looks even more so now, what with quarterback Justin Herbert nursing a fractured left hand that required surgery this past Monday. Realistically, the Chargers need at least two victories in their final five games to advance to the playoffs, although three would make it far easier. The Eagles need victories to quiet the gathering storm swirling around them and with the Dallas Cowboys lurking behind in the NFC East.
Who’s better: The Eagles were the Super Bowl champions and the Chargers were KO’d in the AFC wild-card round, so that should tell you something about last season. This season, the teams have identical 8-4 records and could be destined for the playoffs again if they don’t falter down the stretch. Each team has significant injuries to significant players, so make of that what you will.
Matchup to watch: Herbert versus his damaged hand appears to be one matchup worth monitoring. Can he handle snaps from under center, something he couldn’t do after he was hurt in Sunday’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders? Can he control the ball in the face of a physical defensive front that is the best part of a strong Eagles defense? Can he throw the ball with his customary accuracy?
Chargers win if: Herbert must be at his best, playing behind an offensive line playing at its best, with running backs consistently picking up yardage and wide receivers and tight ends getting open for gains. But that’s just part of the equation. The Chargers must stuff the Eagles’ ground game the way they did against the Raiders, when they limited them to 31 yards rushing. The Chargers also must limit big plays by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has thrown 27 touchdown passes with only five interceptions, the best ratio in the NFL this season. Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards last season, but has only 740 in 2025.
Fantasy sleeper: Kimani Vidal took a great deal of pressure off Herbert in the victory over the Raiders, setting a career high by rushing for 126 yards in a 31-14 victory. Vidal emerged as the Chargers’ top running back after Najee Harris (Achilles tendon), Omarion Hampton (fractured left ankle) and Hassan Haskins (hamstring) were injured earlier this season. Vidal has rushed for a team-leading 543 yards and three touchdowns in nine games, including seven starts.
Prediction: The Chargers haven’t reached the desperation point in their season, but the Eagles probably have, and most likely with a resounding thud after lackluster showings during losses the past two weeks to the Cowboys and Chicago Bears ended their four-game winning streak. The Chargers probably won’t reach the desperation point for another week or two. Eagles 20, Chargers 16.