Chargers vs Eagles: Five Things To Watch For, Including If Justin Herbert Plays

The Los Angeles Chargers needed that win against the Raiders on Sunday to get back on track. But with an injured quarterback, can they beat the defending Super Bowl Champs on Monday night?

Here’s what to watch for in Week 14.

If The Chargers’ Run Defense Can Contain Eagles Running Back Saquon Barkley 

By this time last year, Barkley already had over 1,000 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. This season, Barkley has only four rushing touchdowns and one game with triple-digit rushing yards. Though Barkley’s not having a career year, he’s too much of a threat to ignore.

The usual suspects like edge Tuli Tuipulotu and linebackers Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley will have their work cut out for them in this next game. The Chargers have had issues throughout this season when it comes to run defense.

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Sometimes they limit players like Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty last Sunday to 31 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns, while other times they allow players like Colts running back Jonathan Taylor to get 94 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

The same energy that the run defense brought for the Raiders on Sunday, they will need in large supply for the Eagles. 

If Justin Herbert Plays (If He Doesn’t, Can Backup Trey Lance Give The Chargers A Chance?) 

Herbert injured his non-throwing hand in the game against the Raiders, and it turns out that he actually broke a bone in that hand and underwent surgery on Monday. The Eagles have some big weapons on defense, such as linebacker Zack Baun.

Considering the Eagles are most likely looking to exploit the Chargers’ bad offensive line, Herbert’s injury makes it even harder for him when he gets sacked or hit, as he’s already battling something. According to Fox Sports NFL Passing Stats, Herbert ranks fourth in the number of sacks, having been sacked 38 times.

Herbert’s health status will certainly be something to monitor throughout the week. And if he does play, Lance may still be utilized throughout the game for certain drives. And if Herbert’s out completely, I expect a lot of scrambling from Lance, and reliance on the run game like the Chargers did on Sunday. Hopefully, that will be good enough to get them through. 

Whether The Chargers Allow Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts To Beat Them With His Legs

Hurts is not afraid to run and is currently the second leading rusher on the Eagles with 329 rushing yards. Similar to when the Chargers face Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Hurts can always be counted on to resuscitate a drive, typically by running.

The Chargers’ pass rush has to do everything they can to keep him in the pocket. Tuipulotu had two sacks against the Raiders, leading the team with 10 on the season, while edge Khalil Mack had .5 on Sunday. Though Mack hasn’t been having an outstanding season, he’s never one to be underestimated.

Lots of production is going to be needed from both him and Tuipulotu, as well as edge Bud Dupree, who also had a sack on Sunday, in the next game to stop Hurts not only from extending plays but also getting the ball to his playmakers.

How The Chargers Defensive Backs Handle the Eagles’ Receiving Core 

This year has been a good but not great year for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, considering there’s some concern swirling in the media about his usage rate in games. He’s currently second in receiving yards to wide receiver DeVonta Smith and receiving touchdowns to tight end Dallas Goedert.

Regardless of Brown’s target share, he’s still one to watch, as is Smith, because they are both really strong players. And though Goedert is sometimes quieter in a game, he’s reliable, making plays when it matters. The Chargers’ secondary cannot let any of these players out in space.

Though the Raiders didn’t have a great offensive performance, cornerback Cam Hart did let Raiders tight end Brock Bowers beat him when Bowers caught a one-handed touchdown pass with Hart in tight coverage. And Bowers got a touchdown earlier in the game when he was very open.

The coverage needs to be better to make sure that Hurts cannot get a rhythm going with this offense. 

If This Will Be The Week, Rookie Running Back Omarion Hampton Returns To Game Action 

Hampton didn’t play on Sunday despite returning to practice last week. And it’s not yet clear if he’ll play on Monday night against the Eagles.

Running backs Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson were certainly able to hold down the run game on Sunday, and I anticipate that if Hampton is back this week, Vidal may still hold a larger role at least in Hampton’s first game back.

With the injury news to Herbert, it would make sense to have Hampton back, if he’s ready, to take some pressure off Herbert. So here’s hoping this Chargers’ offense gets a boost.