Philadelphia Eagles (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (0-3 SU, 0-2-1 ATS)
Week 4 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 4:05PM EST
Where: StubHub Center, Carson, California
TV: Fox
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: PHI +1/LAC -1
Over/Under Total: 47
The Philadelphia Eagles make the long trip to the StubHub Center on Sunday to face the Los Angeles Chargers in week 4 action from South LA. The Chargers fell to 0-3 on Sunday and after two narrow losses, they lost to KC at home by two touchdowns. They look to turn it around in their third game at home this season against Philly. On Sunday, the Eagles took command of the game against the Giants, before being forced to hang on and edge the game with time running out on the strength of rookie kicker Jake Elliott's 61-yard game-winning field goal.
At 2-1, the Eagles look to become more-galvanized after the electrifying win over the Giants, It looked like the Giants had taken over the game and they needed Elliott's leg to secure the win in exciting fashion. About midway through the 2nd quarter, the Eagles took a 14-0 lead that looked like it was going to be enough. In the fourth, the game opened up offensively. Manning threw three TD passes in half a quarter, after the whole team had just one TD the previous 11 quarters. All's well that ends well and the energy they got from the finish should help them moving forward.
There were some good signs from the Eagles' run-game on Sunday. Rookie RB Corey Clement scored his first NFL touchdown. Wendell Smallwood ran for 71 yards, while LeGarrette Blount ran for a TD on 67 yards rushing. Continued contributions from the ground-game will take some of the focus off QB Carson Wentz, who was a bit subdued aerially, though efficient. WR Alshon Jeffery continues to work his way into this offense and TE Zach Ertz continues to put up good numbers this season. Overall, we see more reliable tools on offense with which Wentz can work, as opposed to the stripped-bare cast of playmakers he had last season. And having a rookie kicker with a big leg and nerves of steel doesn't hurt, either. The offense did suffer a loss, with former Chargers star and still-useful Darren Sproles lost for the season after breaking his arm and tearing his ACL on the same play.
The defense for the Eagles started the game well, as the Giants' offense looked a lot like it had the first two weeks in being held scoreless in the first three quarters of the game. Maybe they got complacent or the losses to Fletcher Cox and Jordan Hicks affected the "D," but their late-game play left a lot to be desired. A Giants offense that had been a laughingstock suddenly couldn't do anything wrong in putting up 21 points in the first half of the final quarter. We'll see how Cox and Hicks progress this week or if they'll miss time in addition to safeties Rodney McLeod and Jaylen Watkins. There were still some good signs, including a impassioned goal-line stand in the first half. Rasul Douglas and Patrick Robinson had picks on the day, with linebackers Mychal Kendricks and Nigel Bradham making a lot of plays. In all three of their games this season, we have seen three very solid quarters of play, along with one really bad quarter. They look for a more-complete game against the Chargers this week.
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Things started off badly for the Chargers on Sunday, with a Philip Rivers pick early leading to a Chiefs' touchdown. It was 14-0 before the Chargers finally scored a TD, which would be their only one of the game. Rivers can usually blame a lot of pieces around him for the team stalling out, but on Sunday, he made a lot of mistakes. The offense outgained the Chiefs and had 8 more first downs and still lost by two touchdowns, largely due to Rivers' three picks on the day. At 0-3, the Chargers look for answers against at home, where they are now already a deflating 0-2.
The Chargers' 10-point output and going scoreless in the second half was unsightly. Granted, the Chiefs have now won 12 straight division games, but for an 0-2 Chargers' team to go out with nary a whimper was not inspiring to watch. Rivers was really bad on 20-for-40 passing and the three picks. RB Melvin Gordon was decent with 79 yards and a TD. Receivers Travis Benjamin and Keenan Allen had moments of production, but ten points at home with the tools that have at their disposal was horrid. And to watch it was difficult, as the Chargers just seemed stuck for most of the afternoon in a frustrating exhibition of football.
The Chargers' defense was a mixed bag on Sunday. They gave up a lot of big plays. Kansas City's Kareem Hunt was big on the day, with Tyreek Hill also registering some big plays. One thing the Chargers did well was get after Smith, with Melvin Ingram notching three sacks and Corey Liuget and Joey Bosa also getting after the QB. LB Jatavis Brown continues to make strides at linebacker, along with running-mate Korey Toomer. The secondary held Alex Smith to 155 yards, with Jahleel Addae, Casey Hayward, Trevor Williams, and rookie Desmond King doing a commendable-enough job. It's a bad blow to have again lost top corner Jason Verrett for the season. At the end of the day, however, those who forecasted the Chargers as an X-factor contender in the AFC have been forced to re-evaluate their position.
This is not an easy spot for Philly, as they don't play in California a lot and certainly not at AFC West venues. They already lost to the Chiefs this season is a similar road spot. And it looks like their "D" left week three a little diminished from where they were before the game. Just when the Chargers look flat and uninspired, they tend to spring to life to restore a little hope. I see a better game from the Chargers this week
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