The Chargers begin a gauntlet of likely playoff squads throughout the remainder of the season by facing off against the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Here’s a few reasons to be optimistic about Los Angeles’ chances of advancing to 9-4.

Run game momentum

The Chargers ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Raiders with Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson in the backfield in Jamaree Salyer’s first start of the season at left tackle. Salyer has won the job for the rest of the season, per Jim Harbaugh, so LA knows exactly who their five starters will be for the rest of the year, which is crucial for that group to build chemistry, considering how little that exact iteration has likely practiced together. Philadelphia allowed 281 yards on the ground last week to Chicago and will be without defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) on Monday.

Offensive line malaise

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson missed practice on Thursday with a foot injury that has kept him out of the last two games, which would be a huge development for the Chargers’ pursuit of Jalen Hurts on Monday. Center Cam Jurgens and guard Landon Dickerson are not on the injury report, but both have been banged up fairly severely this season and are likely still playing through some minor nicks. Combine that with left tackle Jordan Mailata’s regression this season and the up-and-down performance of right guard Tyler Steen, and the Eagles have had a hard time getting Saquon Barkley going in the run game. The Chargers just allowed their lowest rushing total of the season last week against the Raiders and are likely getting defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia back from injured reserve.

Lacking sacks

The Eagles have only 24 sacks this season, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. For context: Justin Herbert has been sacked 38 times, a little more than one extra time per game. Jaelan Phillips has added some juice to Philadelphia’s pass rush since being acquired at the trade deadline, but he suffered a concussion on Friday against the Bears and remains in protocol this week. If Phillips can’t go, his absence combined with Carter’s could give the Chargers a lot more leeway in the pocket and allow Herbert to let it fly on some longer-developing routes.

Turnover regression

After turning the ball over just four times in their first ten games, the Eagles have turned it over four times in their last two contests. That included Jalen Hurts’ first interception since Week 7 and second of the season on Friday against the Bears. While the Chargers have not been particularly good at forcing turnovers, they did record an interception last week against the Raiders when safety Tony Jefferson dove for a ball tipped by cornerback Donte Jackson on the left sideline. If Los Angeles can get a turnover or two and put their offense in good field position on Monday, it should have a good chance to come away with the win.

Third down efficiency

Los Angeles is the best team in the AFC and second-best team in the league (Green Bay) at converting third downs with a rate of 48.3%, a testament to the way the Chargers’ offense has been able to manage first and second downs to give themselves a reasonable shot later in the series. 39 of wide receiver Keenan Allen’s 60 receptions on the season have gone for a first down, tied for the tenth-most in the league despite having the third-fewest receptions among those in the top ten. The Chargers also allow the fourth-lowest third-down conversion rate at 34.78 percent.