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The Los Angeles Chargers will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles to help kick off Week 9. It's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Chargers-Eagles prediction and pick.
This is a crucial week for the Chargers. After a great start to the season, Los Angeles has dropped two straight contests. This matchup against a subpar Eagles team is the perfect chance to start to turn things around. Another loss here would put the Chargers' hopes of winning the AFC West in serious jeopardy. For the Eagles, this game functions mostly as a measuring stick. The Chargers just lost to the New England Patriots, so it seems like they're beatable to a team like Philadelphia. A win here would be a huge confidence boost to head coach Nick Sirianni's squad after they suffered a couple of consecutive losses.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the odds for the Chargers-Eagles game.
NFL Odds: Chargers-Eagles Odds
Los Angeles Chargers: -1.5 (-110)
Philadelphia Eagles: +1.5 (-110)
Over: 49.5 (-110)
Under 49.5 (-110)
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Why The Chargers Can Cover The Spread
This is still the same Chargers team that dropped 47 points on the Cleveland Browns and upset the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. Quarterback Justin Herbert is a top ten signal-caller in the NFL, and this Eagles defense hasn't fared well against high level passers. Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Dak Prescott all absolutely shredded Philadelphia's secondary when the Eagles faced their respective teams, and Herbert is on a similar level to all of those passers. It's hard to envision Philly playing well defensively here.
Philadelphia's offense has been completely one-dimensional this season, and that probably won't change here. The Eagles have relied heavily on quarterback Jalen Hurts and the passing game to move the ball, something that that Chargers are perfectly suited to counter. Los Angeles is the fifth-best pass defense in the NFL, allowing only 205 yards per game to opposing passers. The Eagles have been completely incapable of running the football this season, so it seems unlikely that they have much offensive success here.
Why The Eagles Can Cover The Spread
While the Chargers do have one of the best passing defenses in the league, that defense will be playing shorthanded in this game. Los Angeles has already announced that cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis will miss this game. Backup safety Alohi Gilman, who plays a significant amount of defensive snaps, is doubtful coming into this contest. The Chargers will be forced to start Chris Harris Jr. and Tevaughn Campbell at cornerback here. Jalen Hurts should be able to exploit what has turned from a strength to a weakness for the Chargers.
Home field advantage should play a significant part in this game for the Eagles. Herbert's road stats from 2020 weren't great, as he threw for a lower completion percentage, less yards per attempt, and less yards overall away from home. Lincoln Financial Field is a notoriously rowdy stadium, and it should be filled to the brim on Sunday. Expect the Eagles defense to capitalize on that and make things tough on Herbert.
Final Chargers-Eagles Prediction & Pick
It's strange to see the Chargers getting less than a field goal here. It feels like Los Angeles has to be the pick here, as the Eagles haven't really done anything against good teams to warrant any sort of confidence.
FINAL CHARGERS-EAGLES PREDICTION & PICK: Los Angeles Chargers: -1.5 (-110)
