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A look at some causes for concern as the Los Angeles Chargers gear up to face the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chargers face the Eagles in Week 9 after suffering two consecutive losses to the Ravens and Patriots.
Now 4-3, Los Angeles has a few question marks surrounding.
With that being said, here are three reasons why the Bolts should be concerned about their matchup against Philadelphia.
The Los Angeles Chargers look to get back on track as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chargers are looking to get back on track after dropping their last two, while the Eagles are seeking to pull the upset on their home turf.
Here are five storylines to follow when Los Angeles takes on Philadelphia this Sunday at 2:05 pm PT:
The offense being out of sync is one of the primary reasons the Chargers have come up short in their last two games. The team has still been in far too many late-down situations because of their inability to produce on first and second downs. A combination of pass protection problems, not being effective enough in the running game, being too conservative throwing the football, and playing two great defenses in back-to-back weeks has led them here after cooking opposing defenses the first quarter of the season. In order to get back to their winning ways, the Chargers must find a way to let Herbert cook again, which means playing to his strength by pushing the football more consistently.
Herbert has not been at his best at times, with some of his passes being off the mark. However, there have been a handful catchable, but his pass-catchers could not reel it in, including some in crucial situations. For the season, Los Angeles has been credited with 16 dropped passes — the second-most in the league. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have combined for 11 drops, while Jared Cook has three.
Without starters, tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Oday Aboushi, Storm Norton and Michael Schofield have been tasked with handling the right side but have struggled immensely. Last weekend, the Chargers gave up 17 pressures to the Patriots, and Norton and Schofield combined for 11 of them. It has not worked even by using running backs and tight ends as extra blockers to mitigate it. Los Angeles will be going up against an Eagles defense that ranks No. 1 in pass rush win rate when they blitz, and Herbert is 28th against the blitz.
This is a question that goes through minds every week, and it’s only going to continue until the Chargers are no longer dead-last in this category. Last weekend, however, they took the strides in the right direction, as the Bolts held the Patriots to just 3.9 yards per carry. The return of defensive tackle Justin Jones aided the unit. Los Angeles will need that momentum carried into this weekend against an Eagles offense that is averaging the sixth-most rushing yards per game (131.6), third-most yards per carry (5.0), and rushing touchdowns (12). Furthermore, quarterback Jalen Hurts has 432 yards and five scores on 73 carries.
While the Chargers won’t be facing a premiere passing offense this weekend, it still does not help that the team will be without three key defensive backs: Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., and most likely Alohi Gilman, all of whom are dealing with injuries. Brandon Staley has done a fine job of putting the lesser-known players in a position to succeed, with Tevaughn Campbell being an example of someone who has been playing some good football. However, the jury is still out for Ryan Smith and Mark Webb, who will be set for extended playing time.
Find out if you will get the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles on national television.
The Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) are set to get Week 9 underway against the Philadelphia Eagles (3-5).
Those in the periwinkle area on the TV map will get the game on CBS, courtesy of 506 Sports.
If you’re in the red area, you will get the matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Those in the green area will see the Las Vegas Raiders take on the New York Giants.
If you’re in the orange area, you will watch the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Buffalo Bills. Those in the yellow will get the bout between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers.
Ian Eagle and Charles Davis will have the call.
Los Angeles is currently a 1.5-point favorite over Philadelphia. Sunday’s matchup will begin at 2:05 pm PT.
A look at some reasons for optimism as the Los Angeles Chargers look to get back on track.
Despite the two tough consecutive losses to the Ravens and Patriots, there are a few reasons to remain optimistic as the Chargers look to get back on track against the Eagles this Sunday.
Let’s dive in.
The Chargers will see a familiar face on the opposing sideline this Sunday.
The Chargers will see a familiar face on the opposing sideline this Sunday.
Former Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, now the OC for the Eagles, will face his former team.
In his lone season as offensive play-caller, Steichen was credited with helping nurture Justin Herbert en route to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Herbert recorded the most total touchdowns (36), most passing touchdowns (31), most completions (396), and most 300-yard passing games (eight) by a rookie quarterback.
“He’s big, he’s got a huge arm, he can stand in the pocket,” Steichen said about Herbert. That’s one of the biggest things I learned from being around him, is from a rookie last year, he’s able to stand in there when the blitz is coming and he can take hits, stand there deliver the throws.
He’s smart, he’s intelligent. He gets the ball out of his hands. You’ll see on tape, a lot of times he’s hitting his back foot, and boom, he’s getting the ball to the check down quickly. He has accelerated vision. Can do it all. Heck of a football player.”
While Herbert’s last two games have not been all sunshine and rainbows, Steichen knows, having coached him, how talented of a player he is, which is why defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon reached out to get insight on his strengths and weaknesses.
“[Steichen told me], ‘This is what Herbert does really well and this is what we were trying to improve with him,’” Gannon said. “‘These are the looks that he likes. This is how he wants to play.’ Just with any quarterback, what is he comfortable doing, and what can we try to do to make him uncomfortable?”
This season, Steichen has not had the passing game as prolific with QB Jalen Hurts as he did with Herbert, as the Eagles are averaging just 216.4 yards per game. However, Philadelphia has had its way on the ground, rushing for 131.6 yards per game and five yards per carry.
In other notable ties, Gannon and head coach Brandon Staley played AAU basketball together near Cleveland when they were 10 years old. As they grew older, Gannon recommended Staley for the defensive coordinator vacancy at John Carroll University.
Highlighting important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent ahead of Week 9.
The Chargers are set to take on the Eagles on Nov. 7 at 2:05 pm PT in hopes of getting back on track after losing their last two games.
Here are four important things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 9 bout:
Without starter Miles Sanders, who will be out this week with an ankle injury, Philadelphia will roll with a committee that consists of Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard. Up to this point in the season, Philadelphia is averaging the sixth-most rushing yards per game (131.6), third-most yards per carry (5.0) and rushing touchdowns (12). Furthermore, Jalen Hurts has 432 yards and five scores on 73 carries.
The Eagles are one of the better teams at applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks and a lot of the credit goes to the guys up front. Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, Fletcher Cox and Derek Barnett each have 25, 22, 18 and 17 pressures, respectively. The defensive line has largely attributed to the success of the team’s pass defense, which is allowing just 220.6 yards per game (8th).
Philadelphia does not have one of the most proficient passing offenses, averaging just 216.4 yard per game, but arguably the team’s best wide receiver is first-round pick DeVonta Smith. Smith has 33 receptions for 421 yards and one touchdown over eight games. He has dealt with some concentration drops as of late, but his ability to be a threat at all levels of the field is not to be taken for granted.
Shane Steichen, who helped guide Justin Herbert to his Rookie of the Year season in 2020, is now calling the plays for the Eagles. While the offensive systems differ under Joe Lombardi, Steichen is still helping defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon prepare for what Herbert likes and does not like.
“Stuff like, ‘Hey, this is what Herbert does really well and this is what we were trying to improve with him. This is the looks that he likes. This is how he wants to play.’ Stuff like that,” Gannon said. “Just with any quarterback, what is he comfortable doing, and what can we try to do to make him uncomfortable? That would be the biggest thing for the quarterback.”
