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Los Angeles Chargers’ moment of truth: MNF vs Philadelphia Eagles is a proving ground
The Los Angeles Chargers may be trailing the dominant 11-2 Denver Broncos in the battle to claim the AFC West title, but at 8-4, they're firmly in the hunt for an AFC Wild Card spot.
But for all the confidence their wins over the Chiefs, Broncos, and Steelers provided, inexplicable losses to the Giants and Commanders, and a thrashing at the hands of the Jaguars made it hard to figure this team out.
Now comes their biggest test, when the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles visit SoFi on Monday Night Football.
With all eyes on that prime time showdown, we explore who the Chargers really are.
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Justin Herbert and the ailing offensive line
No analysis of the Chargers can start without discussing Herbert. He's not only the face of the franchise, but arguably the best player on the roster.
He ranks 14th in quarterback rating (94.9), ninth in passing touchdowns (21), and 11th in completion percentage (66.9%). All modest figures, until you consider what he's had - or rather hasn't - had to work with.
In August, just days after making Rashawn Slater the highest-paid offensive tackle in the league, the former first-round pick ruptured his patellar tendon in practice and was declared out for the season.
Disastrous though that injury was, at least the Chargers could count on Joe Alt to slide over and protect Herbert's blindside, right?
Not so fast. Alt made only six appearances in 2025 before being lost for the year with an ankle injury.
The result? The Chargers' gunslinger has been pressured 190 times by opposing defenses in 2025, more than any other QB in the league. Yet, he's still only had two games with a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio.
When you consider that the 27-year-old lost his two starting offensive tackles, and couple that with the fact that none of the remaining offensive linemen have acquitted themselves well, his achievements in 2025 look a little more impressive.
Herbert suffered a fractured bone in his non-throwing hand last week, but is expected to play after undergoing surgery. How well he manages the injury could be pivotal in the Eagles' matchup.
Pass-catching weapons
Despite being harassed by opposition pass rushers on more than 40% of his dropbacks, Herbert has excelled at finding his weapons in the passing game.
There is no true WR1 in this offense, because the Chargers spread the ball to multiple receivers.
Veteran Keenan Allen, who earned the nickname 'third-and-Keenan' from safety Derwin James, thrives at moving the chains.
Despite ranking 20th in receptions, Allen ranks 12th in first-down receptions and is a major reason why the Chargers rank 2nd in the league in such situations.
Quentin Johnston, written off by many after suffering so many drops in previous years, has dropped the ball only three times in 2025, and his contested catch rate has increased by 25.9%.
Ladd McConkey, the 2024 breakout slot receiver, has been hit or miss, but still leads the team in receiving yards with 683 and is dangerous after the catch.
And tight end Oronde Gadsden, the team's fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has made an incredible start to his career, with 534 yards in only 10 games.
These aren't the most prolific or the most talented group, but few teams boast so many above-average contributors.
Ground game receives reinforcements
When Jim Harbaugh became the Bolts' head coach in 2024, it was widely accepted that he would bring his run-first philosophy to L.A. The Chargers ranked 23rd in passing ratio that year.
But that approach only works when you have the players to execute it well, and with first-round running back Omarion Hampton joining Slater and Alt on the injury report in Week 5, the Chargers have leaned into the passing game more - ranking 13th in passing play percentage.
Hampton was finding his rhythm before being struck down with a fractured ankle.
Hampton's return to the lineup for tonight's game, in place of Kimani Vidal, is a welcome addition to the Bolts' offense. Vidal fared well, but was boom-or-bust.
Defense - inconsistent but capable
The Chargers' defense has been inconsistent, but it has done an excellent job of limiting big plays, thanks to their masterful deployment of a zone-heavy scheme that limits chunk yardage through the air.
They rank third in total yardage allowed (275.3), but that masks their troubles containing opposing running backs, where they've given up more than 100 rushing yards per game.
The weakness against the run was painfully evident in their loss to the Jaguars, with Bhayshul Tuten (74 yards) and Travis Etienne (73 yards) pummelling the Bolts into submission.
And that Jacksonville contest was also a microcosm of the Chargers' season-long problems in that area, with multiple players missing 25% or more of their tackle attempts.
They still boast some extremely talented players at multiple levels. Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu has stepped up with double-digit sacks, and standout safety Derwin James remains a difference-maker.
The abilities of the cornerbacks in pass coverage deserve a mention, too, with Tarheeb Still and Donte Jackson nullifying some of the games' best this year.
But Still and Jackson are the two biggest culprits of the aforementioned missed tackles, and must do better if they are to help limit Saquon Barkley tonight.
Finally, at linebacker, the team needs Daiyan Henley to return to his best. He's fallen away in pass coverage after a breakout campaign in 2024.
Can the Chargers consistently beat good teams?
As previously mentioned, the Chargers have already beaten some strong teams this year.
But after going 0-2 in their only two playoff appearances since 2018, the Bolts have yet to prove that they can raise their game on the biggest stage.
If they defeat the Eagles tonight, it will not only be a confidence boost but also a message of intent that they have the talent and desire to compete with the best.
However, if they lose to Philadelphia, their playoff odds will drop considerably, and Harbaugh and Co. will be left with more questions than answers.
It really is all on the line here.
Make sure to tune in live on DAZN as the drama unfolds, and don't forget that for viewers in Canada and Game Pass Pro subscribers everywhere else, there's an animated alternate telecast of this game, with "Monsters Funday Football" bringing Pixar's Monsters, Inc. characters to our screens.
