Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Chargers Preview
Where: StubHub Center – Los Angeles, California
When: Sunday, October 1, 2017, 4:05 PM ET
Line: Philadelphia Eagles (+1) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (-1); total: 47.5 – view all 2017 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
The Philadelphia Eagles returned to winning ways Sunday with a dramatic 27-24 victory over the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Jake Elliott kicked a mammoth 61-yarder as time expired to send the Eagles to the top of the NFC East standings with a 2-1 slate. Elliott’s kick wasn’t just the longest game-winner in NFL history for a rookie but it also set a new franchise record for Philadelphia.
The Eagles now set their sights on a possible 3-1 start when they square off with the Los Angeles Chargers this coming Sunday. For Philadelphia to achieve this feat, it needs to continue its excellent play on the offensive end. The Eagles finally got their running game going against the Giants, gaining 193 yards on the ground against a run defense that was the league’s second best last year. Wendell Smallwood rushed for 71 yards on 12 carries while LeGarrette Blount picked up 67 yards and a touchdown. Blount’s towering performance comes a week after he didn’t record a single carry in Philly’s loss to Kansas City.
That made things much easier for Carson Wentz who completed 21-of-31 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown with no interception. The Eagles will need their offense to be firing on all cylinders against the Chargers as their defense is being ravaged by injuries at the moment. Philadelphia entered Sunday’s home opener without top cornerback Ronald Darby, safeties Corey Graham and Rodney McLeod, and versatile defensive back Jaylen Watkins who started at cornerback against Kansas City last week. Adding to the Eagles’ injury concerns were Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and linebacker Jordan Hicks who departed the Giants game with calf and ankle problems, respectively.
Betting on the Los Angeles Chargers (0-3)
Things are going from bad to worse for Los Angeles as it stumbled to its third consecutive defeat on Sunday with a humiliating 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers now start the season 0-3, the first time that has happened in 14 years. That’s not a great start for a team who’s looking to make a sudden impact in the City of Angels after moving from San Diego. The Chargers will look to get their season back on track when they lock horns with the Philadelphia Eagles this coming Sunday.
For the Chargers to notch their first win of the campaign, they will need to improve on their play on the offensive end. Philip Rivers looked out of sorts in the loss to the Chiefs, throwing three interceptions on Sunday. That has been the Achilles heel of Rivers who led the NFL in picks twice in the last three seasons, including last year when he threw a career-high 21. Rivers will look to turn things around against an Eagles defense that’s allowing 285.7 yards per game through the air this season, eighth-worst in the NFL.
It’s important for LA as well to improve on its faltering ground game against Philadelphia. The Chargers rushed for just 104 yards against the Chiefs on Sunday. They are 27th in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging just 70.7 yards per game this campaign. It won’t get any easier for Melvin Gordon and co. against an Eagles defensive line that’s allowing just 75.0 yards per game on the ground this season, fifth-fewest in the entire league.
Writer’s Prediction
The Eagles (+1) pile more misery on the Chargers with a 27-20 win.
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