The Los Angeles Chargers, sitting at 8-4, are gearing up to host the 9-3 Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Most media and experts are leaning towards the Eagles, but the Chargers have a solid shot if they play their cards right. So, how exactly can the Chargers pull off a win against the Eagles?

Running Game Showdown

The Chargers showed some serious promise running the ball in their recent game against the Raiders. Running back Kimani Vidal led the charge with 126 rushing yards and a touchdown. All in all, the Chargers racked up 192 rushing yards as a team.

This season, the Chargers had to juggle their offensive line a lot because of injuries. During their bye week, coaches took time to review their plays while the players rested and recovered from a tough early season travel schedule. This break helped bring in a new left tackle, Jamaree Salyer, and the right side of the line is looking healthier too.

Against the Raiders, the offensive line seemed strong and in sync. The Eagles, on the other hand, will be missing a key defensive lineman, Jalen Carter, who's out for a few weeks after shoulder surgery.

They also lost safety Andrew Mukuba, one of their best run defenders, two weeks ago to injury. Another of their top run defenders, Zach Baun, has been limited in practice because of a hand injury.

The Chargers might get rookie running back Omarion Hampton back this week, but if he’s not ready, Vidal has shown he can handle the rushing load. Running the ball hard against the Eagles’ defense should definitely be a focus for the Chargers.

Chargers’ Defensive Backs vs. Eagles’ Receivers

The Eagles rely heavily on a handful of pass catchers. Devonta Smith, AJ Brown, and tight end Dallas Goedert have combined for 1,904 of the Eagles’ 2,514 passing yards this season.

Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter might try matching AJ Brown up with the team’s bigger cornerbacks, Cam Hart and Benjamin St Juste. Brown mostly runs short and intermediate routes, where he catches almost 80% of his targets.

If the Chargers can keep the Eagles' receivers in check, their pass rush could really turn up the heat. Philly’s offensive line is dealing with injuries, which could give the Chargers’ defensive front some good opportunities.

Holding Saquon Barkley in Check

After their Week 12 bye, the Chargers defense seemed re-energized with some new strategies from Coach Minter. They held Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty to just 2.1 yards per carry in their last game.

The Eagles’ offensive line isn’t at full strength either and seems off its game. Saquon Barkley, their star running back, is only averaging 3.7 yards per carry this season, and even less, just 3 yards per carry over his last four games.

If the Chargers can keep Barkley and Philly’s rushing attack bottled up, they’ll force the Eagles into tough long third-down situations. That’s when the Chargers’ pass rush can really start causing problems for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Both teams are dealing with injuries in important spots, so this game is wide open. If the Chargers play smart, manage the clock well, and get some early success to control the flow, they have a legit chance to take down the defending Super Bowl champs.

Wilson Pick Focus: Philadelphia Eagles @Los Angeles Chargers (Chargers +2.5, -105)

I’m leaning toward the Chargers here and I think they’ve got a real chance to win this outright at home. Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert is expected to play despite undergoing surgery on his non-throwing hand, and I trust Jim Harbaugh to lean into Herbert in a must-win spot. Los Angeles has momentum, winning four of its last five, and their defense has quietly remained one of the more reliable units in the league.

Philadelphia enters off back-to-back losses and, more concerning, has looked increasingly shaky on both sides of the ball. The offense has been held to 16 points or fewer in three of the last four games, and the loss of OT Lane Johnson continues to show up in their rushing efficiency and overall protection. Defensively, the Eagles just allowed 281 rushing yards to Chicago and have been outgained by most opponents this season, which is not a sustainable formula.

I expect this to be a close, low-scoring game where the Chargers’ defense makes the difference, especially on key fourth-down tries. Traveling cross-country on a short turnaround doesn’t help an Eagles team already searching for answers, while Los Angeles stays put and settles into a rhythm at home. Take the Chargers to win outright as a small home underdog.

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