They’ve had a couple of extra days to prepare for what they face on Monday night: A Los Angeles Chargers team that is 8-4, that has a path to the AFC postseason, that brings to the field a stout running game, a very solid defense, and a looming question at the quarterback position.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday night is about getting back on track after losses to Dallas and Chicago, about starting the stretch run of the regular season the right way with a victory on the road against a good football team.
The players and coaches know that there is a very urgent task at hand: The Eagles want to ramp up and play the kind of football – 60 minutes worth – they know they can play and head into the postseason on a high note.
First things first. Beat LA. It won’t be easy, not at all. Here are some storylines to think about as we close in on the opening kickoff …
1. What is the Chargers’ picture at quarterback?
We’re in a moment of uncertainty, at least on the outside, right? Justin Herbert had surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand on Monday and then was limited Thursday through Saturday in practice while wearing a cast on his left hand. He wasn’t able to work at a high tempo with the offense and run the game plan as the Chargers have designed. And with all of that, the Chargers have said all week that they are “optimistic” that Herbert will play on Monday night. He is listed as questionable.
What does this mean for the Los Angeles offense? And for Vic Fangio’s defense? The Eagles have said they are preparing for both Herbert and Trey Lance, the ultra-athletic backup to Herbert who would be a handful to play against from a designed-run and scrambling standpoint. He isn’t as experienced nor accomplished as Herbert throwing the football. So much of the game is riding on what happens here and as of this moment … we … just … don’t … know.