Eagles versus Chargers: 3 very encouraging statistics about Los Angeles

Heading into the Philadelphia Eagles‘ 2021 NFL season, everyone knew a Super Bowl was pretty much out of the question, but there was no way we were going to turn our televisions off when it was time for kickoff. That would be ridiculous.

That’s the downside of being a part of one of the more loyal contingents in sports. We just can’t look away even though we know we need to. We know that looking away would ease a lot of our stress, but we just can’t make ourselves do it. Every time the Birds are on television, we’re turning it on.

There’s a downside to making these types of decisions though. One must endure home losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and 20-point losses to the Dallas Cowboys in primetime.

The Eagles are 3-5 after eight weeks, and their next opponent represents another tough challenge. The Los Angeles Chargers visit Lincoln Financial Field in Week 9 and are in need of a win. They’ll be favored. The eyeball test tells us that they’re the better team, but from what we’re hearing, the Eagles haven’t told anyone that they won’t show up.

We’ve all done our homework on this Chargers team all week. We expect Philly is doing the same thing. Perhaps this will help.

Here are three stats the Eagles can use to incorporate some last-minute strategy.

We talk about analytics all of the time. We watch teams use research to dictate playcalling, but statistics can tell us a lot about the opponent as well. Here are three intriguing stats about this L.A. team and what they should be telling Philly about their game plan.

1. The Chargers’ defense is giving up an average of 159.4 yards per game.

Do we need to explain this one? The L.A. Chargers are ranked 32nd in the NFL in stopping the run. The Eagles had three players run for more than 50 yards in Week 8 versus the Detroit Lions. If Philly can’t figure this one out, why even incorporate analytics and watching game film in the first place?

2. Justin Herbert’s passer rating has been south of 68 for two consecutive weeks.

It would be unfair to use terms like sophomore slump in relation to Justin Herbert as he’s enjoying a good season. He’s completing just under 64 percent of his passes, and his passer rating has eclipsed 107 three times this season.

Still, over the course of the last two weeks, however, he’s thrown three interceptions, including two Week 8. Philly’s secondary will have opportunities to make plays

3. Mike Williams has had four catches and zero touchdowns over the course of the past two weeks.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams is one of the game’s great receivers, but he enters this one in a bit of a slump. In each of the past two weeks, he’s hauled in two receptions on five targets. He’s only been able to rack up 46 receiving yards over that time. He hasn’t reached the end zone since Week 5.

Hopefully, the slump continues. Hopefully, the Eagles’ defensive coaches are studying the film to see how they can ensure that happens.