In a disheartening overtime defeat on Monday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Los Angeles Chargers 22-19, marking their third consecutive loss and dropping their record to 8-5.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts shouldered the blame for the team's struggles, admitting post-game, "I didn’t play well enough. Too many turnovers."
Hurts' performance was marred by a career-high five turnovers—four interceptions and one lost fumble—which proved costly in a game defined by defensive stands and missed opportunities.
The matchup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, showcased a gritty battle between two playoff contenders, with the Chargers improving to 9-4 after the victory.
Both offenses sputtered early, trading field goals and three-and-outs in a low-scoring affair. The Eagles' defense applied relentless pressure, sacking Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert seven times despite his recent surgery on a fractured left hand.
However, Philadelphia's offensive woes, spearheaded by Hurts' miscues, ultimately sealed their fate.
One of the game's most bizarre moments came midway through the second quarter, when Hurts became the first NFL player since 1978 to commit two turnovers on the same play.
Throwing over the middle, Hurts' pass was intercepted by Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, who then fumbled during the return.
Hurts recovered the loose ball but was immediately stripped upon contact, allowing Chargers linebacker Troy Dye to fall on it for the recovery.
This chaotic sequence, which involved three separate turnovers overall, highlighted the Eagles' self-inflicted errors and set a tone for the night. It tied for the most turnovers by an Eagles player in a single game since play-by-play tracking began in 1978, matching Donovan McNabb's mark from 1999.
Despite the turnovers, the Eagles showed flashes of brilliance. Running back Saquon Barkley provided a spark in the fourth quarter, breaking free for a 52-yard touchdown run on a creative variation of the team's signature "tush-push" formation, giving Philadelphia a brief 16-13 lead.
Barkley finished with 117 rushing yards on 15 carries, but the Eagles' passing game faltered, with Hurts posting a dismal 31.3 quarterback rating through three quarters and no touchdown passes.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown contributed to the issues with multiple drops, exacerbating the turnover problems.
The game headed to overtime after the teams exchanged late field goals, with Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker nailing a 46-yarder with eight seconds left in regulation to tie it at 19-19.
In the extra period, the Eagles won the coin toss but elected to kick off. The Chargers capitalized with a 54-yard field goal from Dicker to take a 22-19 lead.
On Philadelphia's ensuing drive, Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for a 28-yard gain and benefited from an offsides penalty on Chargers lineman Odafe Oweh on fourth-and-4.
