INGLEWOOD—It wasn’t pretty-with both teams combining for eight turnovers on Monday December 8, but the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 22-19 in overtime.
Tony Jefferson saved the game for the Bolts in OT, as the Eagles were feet away from victory when Jalen Hurts threw his fourth interception of the game. Los Angeles improves to 9-4.
Cam Dicker’s 46-yard field goal with 12 seconds left sent the game to the 10-minute extra session. His 54-yard field goal in overtime proved to be the difference.
Hurts threw a career high four interceptions and the Eagles committed five turnovers. The defending Super Bowl champions lost their season-worst third in a row and fell to 8-5.
Justin Herbert had surgery on his left hand one week ago. With screws lodged in his non-throwing hand wearing a glove, he delivered a gutsy performance.
His numbers don’t explain how important his presence was on this Monday night. He showed grit and determination, perhaps his best performance as a professional.
Herbert was 12 of 26 for 138 yards, one touchdown and one interception while using his feet running for 66 yards on 10 carries.
The Eagles had five turnovers, and the Chargers had three. Also, the Eagles got just one touchdown in regulation, as they were unable to put the Los Angeles Chargers away.
For instance, there was three turnovers on one play if you can believe that.
Hurts threw an interception right to defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, who had dropped into a zone coverage. Hand started to run with the ball, and he was stripped for a fumble that Hurts recovered. But Hurts was stripped as well, and the Chargers fell on that fumble.
It was all about defense on this chilly December night. Philadelphia sacked Herbert seven times.
Scoring an early touchdown run from rookie Omarion Hampton, who was returning from an ankle injury that had sidelined him since Week 5. That score came on the Chargers’ first drive, and their offense was mostly cold after that.
But the Eagles struck quickly in the fourth quarter. Rather than the Tush Push, Hurts instead pitched it wide to Barkley. The Chargers were caught off guard and Barkley ran down the sideline for a 52-yard touchdown.
The Chargers are now 9-4 with the win and have about a 76% chance to make the playoffs, via NFL.com. Catching the Broncos in the division is a tough task.
Next week, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to Arrowhead.
