NFL Week 9 Game Recap: Los Angeles Chargers 27, Philadelphia Eagles 24

In a duel of second-year signal-callers, Justin Herbert reigned supreme, carrying the Los Angeles Chargers to a 27-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9 thanks to a Dustin Hopkins 29-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining.

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Los Angeles Chargers

Quarterback

Herbert shook off a handful of poor showings in previous weeks to put together an all-around dominant performance Sunday, throwing for 356 yards and two touchdowns on 32-of-38 passing. He also displayed some impressive mobility throughout Sunday’s contest, finishing with 14 yards rushing and an 8-yard touchdown scamper late in the fourth quarter.

Herbert was incredibly efficient from the opening snap, finishing with season-high marks in adjusted completion percentage (91.9%) and yards per attempt (9.4). He was forced to work in the shorter and intermediate areas at a much higher clip than usual, averaging a mere 5.7 yards of depth per target, as just 31.6% of his attempts traveled past the first-down marker. The shift in philosophy clearly worked to Herbert’s favor, as the reigning offensive rookie of the year registered a passer rating of 123.2, his highest figure so far this season. 

Running Backs 

Austin Ekeler collected 82 yards on 20 total touches, setting up the game-winning field goal with a crucial 11-yard carry late in the fourth quarter. Ekeler led all ball-carriers with five forced missed tackles while pacing all Chargers with six first downs accrued. 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Wide receiver Keenan Allen once again proved why he is one of the best wide receivers in football, hauling in 12 of his 13 targets for 104 yards. He was Herbert’s primary target when the stakes were the highest, as Allen led all Chargers pass-catchers with five first downs and two contested catches. 

Tight ends Jared Cook, Donald Parham and Stephen Anderson were each crucial contributors, as the trio caught all 11 of their combined targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Cook led the unit with four receptions for 48 yards, but it was Anderson and Parham who scored touchdowns late in the first quarter and midway through the third quarter, respectively. 

Offensive Line 

Los Angeles’ offensive line performed competently Sunday, conceding just 11 pressures in pass protection yet allowing Charger rushers an average of just 0.4 yards before contact. Right tackle Storm Norton, left guard Matt Feiler and center Corey Linsley each thrived in pass protection, finishing with zero pressures allowed.   

Defensive Line 

Edge defender Joey Bosa flourished throughout Sunday’s contest, racking up a team-high three pressures while collecting the team’s only sack. Los Angeles’ remaining defensive lineman were less effective, totaling just four pressures as a unit.

Linebackers 

Drue Tranquill was one of the most impactful players in this game, leading all Chargers defenders with nine tackles while allowing a reception on his lone target for -6 yards. Kyzir White, Los Angeles’ other starting linebacker, finished with eight tackles and one reception allowed for 4 yards in coverage. 

Secondary 

The Chargers secondary held up well against the Eagles' low-wattage passing attack, conceding just nine receptions on 14 targets for 164 yards as a unit. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was the Eagles' primary victim, as he surrendered receptions on each of his team-high four targets for 80 yards and one touchdown.

Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterback

Jalen Hurts was relatively pedestrian in Sunday’s defeat, totaling 162 yards and one touchdown through the air on 11-of-17 passing while adding 62 yards on the ground. He repeatedly looked to push the ball downfield, finishing with an average depth of target of 13.4 yards, as an astounding 64.7% of Hurts attempts were past the first-down marker. The second-year pro was also effective as a rusher, leading Philadelphia rushers in yards per carry (6.2), 10-plus yard runs (3) and first downs amassed (6). 

Running Backs 

Jordan Howard handled lead back duties for Philadelphia as the team continues to sort out its running back rotation with Miles Sanders injured. Howard led all Eagles ball carriers in attempts (17), yards (71), and forced missed tackles (4), scoring one of the unit’s touchdowns midway through the second quarter.

Howard was flanked primarily by Boston Scott, who totaled 40 rushing yards and two forced missed tackles. Rookie Kenneth Gainwell saw just two carries and scored on a 1-yard plunge late in the third quarter. 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Wide receiver Devonta Smith was the star of the Eagles passing attack, pulling in five of his team-high six targets for 116 yards and a touchdown. Smith was Hurts’ chief downfield threat, finishing with an average depth of target of 19.3 yards and five 15-plus yard receptions, including a 28-yard touchdown catch.

Offensive Line 

Philadelphia’s offensive line performed admirably, allowing just seven pressures in pass protection while fueling an Eagles rushing attack that averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Right guard Jack Driscoll was the only Philadelphia starting offensive lineman to allow a pressure, conceding three pressures and one sack in the loss.

Defensive Line

The Eagles defensive line struggled to make a significant impact Sunday, totaling just eight pressures and zero sacks. Edge defender Derek Barnett paced the unit with three pressures, while Josh Sweat and interior defender Milton Williams each registered two pressures.  

Linebackers

T.J Edwards led all defenders with 12 tackles, finishing with an average depth of tackle of 3.0 yards. The third-year pro was less effective in coverage, combining with fellow linebackers Davion Taylor and Alex Singleton to allow 10 receptions on 10 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. 

Secondary 

Philadelphia’s secondary was torched throughout the defeat, conceding receptions on 18 of their 22 unit-wide targets for 244 yards and one touchdown. Despite suffering a hamstring injury that forced him out for the entirety of the fourth quarter, cornerback Darius Slay surrendered a game-high five receptions on seven targets for 86 yards and a touchdown.