The Philadelphia Eagles’ late-season slide hit a new low on Monday Night Football, falling 22-19 in overtime to the Los Angeles Chargers for their third consecutive defeat. In a game defined by self-inflicted wounds, quarterback Jalen Hurts committed five turnovers, including a crushing interception at the goal line in the extra period, as the Eagles’ offense sputtered for three quarters before a desperate rally. The loss dropped the Eagles to 8-5, while the Chargers improved to 9-4, tightening the playoff picture in both conferences. The Eagles’ struggles were encapsulated by their fourth-quarter performance, a recurring theme this season where they have been outscored by a significant margin, a stark contrast to their dominant finishes a year ago.
Ahead of the crucial matchup, the Eagles made several roster moves to bolster their defense. Veteran safety Marcus Epps was activated from Injured Reserve, where he had resided since Week 8 with a shoulder injury. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had hinted Epps could start, and his return was intended to bring stability to a secondary that has seen its share of shuffling. To make room for Epps on the active roster, the team waived return specialist Xavier Gipson, who had fumbled a punt in a previous loss. The Eagles also elevated safety Andre’ Sam from the practice squad for additional depth. In other injury news, linebacker Zack Baun, who has been a tackling machine this season, was cleared to play after dealing with a hand injury, and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips progressed through the concussion protocol to suit up.
The game’s subplot featured a notable ‘what-if’ for Eagles fans. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, known as ‘Dicker the Kicker,’ entered the contest as the NFL’s all-time most accurate field goal kicker. The Eagles had cut Dicker in 2022 when starter Jake Elliott returned from injury, despite Dicker having nailed a game-winner for them. On Monday, Dicker’s leg was steady, contributing to the Chargers’ scoreboard pressure. For the Eagles, the defensive effort was led in part by safety Reed Blankenship, who was part of a unit that generated pressure on Justin Herbert but ultimately couldn’t overcome the offense’s mistakes.
The Eagles now face a critical stretch to salvage their season and secure the NFC East, a division they still lead. The loss exposed deep-seated issues, from a suddenly turnover-prone quarterback to a defense missing key pieces like defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The return of Marcus Epps and the health of players like Zack Baun are small positives, but the team must quickly solve its fourth-quarter collapses and red-zone inefficiency. With the playoffs on the horizon, Monday night’s overtime defeat in Inglewood may be remembered as the moment Philadelphia’s championship aspirations faced their most serious test.