Chargers vs. Eagles prediction: Can Herbert outduel Hurts?

The Los Angeles Chargers host the Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium on December 8, 2025, in a Week 14 Monday Night Football showdown between two 8–4 teams fighting for playoff position. Our Chargers vs. Eagles prediction centers on whether Justin Herbert can play effectively through a surgically repaired left hand while Philadelphia tries to snap a two game skid.

Herbert is expected to suit up after undergoing surgery to stabilize a fracture in his left, non throwing hand, while the Chargers also welcome back rookie running back Omarion Hampton. The Eagles arrive with an offense that has stalled since their Week 9 bye, but their defense under Vic Fangio still has the potential to dictate the game if it finds its early season level again. With both teams in the thick of the postseason race, every drive on Monday night carries weight.

Chargers vs. Eagles prediction and key matchup factors

The headline storyline is Herbert’s health. The Chargers quarterback suffered a break in his left hand during the Week 13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and had surgery the following Monday to stabilize the fracture, with the team labeling him day to day and monitoring swelling and comfort levels during the week.

Reporting from team and league outlets indicates the injury is to his non throwing hand, which should preserve his ability to make all the throws but could affect snaps under center, ball handling, and comfort in the pocket.

Los Angeles appears ready to support Herbert with a more balanced offense. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton, who fractured his ankle in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve, is being activated ahead of Monday’s game, giving the Chargers back a powerful early down option to pair with Kimani Vidal.

The team also cleared roster space by moving on from veteran defensive tackle Naquan Jones, further signaling confidence that Hampton will play a real role immediately.

On the other sideline, the Eagles’ issues have been offensive. From Weeks 1 to 8, Philadelphia averaged around 26 points per game, but since the Week 9 bye the Eagles are scoring roughly 15.5 points per game and have managed only 15 total points over their last six quarters.  The run game has been inconsistent, and the passing attack with Jalen Hurts has struggled to find rhythm for four straight weeks, leading to mounting criticism of the offensive structure.

Philadelphia coaching staff members have reportedly adjusted their approach this week, with head coach Nick Sirianni taking a stronger hand in the offensive game plan alongside coordinator Kevin Patullo. The Chargers defense, ranked among the better pass units in the league under Jim Harbaugh’s new staff, just held the Raiders to well under 200 total yards, including minimal success on the ground. That creates a high pressure environment for the Eagles’ offense to solve their protection and timing issues quickly.

How Herbert’s hand and the Eagles’ slump could shape Monday night

For the Chargers, the most likely adjustment is leaning even more on shotgun formations and quick game concepts to protect Herbert’s hand. Los Angeles has previously shifted to shotgun heavy looks when Herbert dealt with a left hand injury, and Harbaugh’s staff can again reduce under center snaps, shorten drops, and emphasize quick throws to minimize hits.

A functional run game with Hampton and Vidal would allow the Chargers to stay ahead of the chains and avoid obvious passing downs where the Eagles’ front can tee off.

However, Los Angeles still faces a real challenge up front. Analysts around the league continue to highlight the Chargers’ offensive line as a weak point, especially against physical fronts like Philadelphia’s.

Even with lower sack totals recently, Fangio’s group can disrupt rhythm through interior pressure and disguised coverages. If Herbert is forced into long third downs and must hold the ball, the risk of hits on the injured hand increases and turnovers become more likely.

On the Eagles’ side, the game comes down to rediscovering their offensive identity. Philadelphia needs more consistent early down runs to keep Hurts out of predictable passing situations, especially against a Chargers secondary that has performed at a top tier level.

Expect designed quarterback runs, run pass options, and quick perimeter throws to function as extensions of the run game. If the Eagles can sustain drives and stay on schedule, they can lean on their depth at receiver and tight end to attack the intermediate zones behind Los Angeles’ linebackers.

Given these dynamics, the most logical script is a relatively low scoring, physical game where both defenses have stretches of control. Herbert’s toughness and efficiency should keep the Chargers competitive, but the combination of his hand issue, the uncertainty around how much Los Angeles can truly open the playbook, and Philadelphia’s urgency after back to back losses tilt the prediction slightly toward the visitors. If the Eagles limit turnovers and finish in the red zone just a bit better than they have since the bye, they can grind out a narrow road win.

Prediction: Eagles 23, Chargers 20. In this scenario, our Chargers vs. Eagles prediction favors Philadelphia to finally steady its offense just enough, while Herbert’s injured hand and protection questions keep Los Angeles a field goal short in a tense Monday night finish.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time does the Chargers vs. Eagles Monday Night Football game start?

The Chargers vs. Eagles game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on December 8, 2025, from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It is the Week 14 Monday Night Football matchup on the national schedule.

Q2: What is the latest on Justin Herbert’s hand injury before Chargers vs. Eagles?

Justin Herbert underwent surgery on his fractured left, non throwing hand and has been listed as day to day leading into the game. Team and national reports indicate he is preparing to play, with protection plans that emphasize shotgun snaps and reduced contact on the injured hand.

Q3: How has the Eagles offense been performing since their Week 9 bye?

Since their Week 9 bye, the Eagles’ scoring average has dropped to roughly the mid teens per game, well below their early season pace of about 26 points per outing. Turnovers, a stalled run game, and inconsistent passing rhythm have all contributed to the slide heading into Week 14.

Q4: What impact could Omarion Hampton’s return have for the Chargers?

Omarion Hampton was off to a strong rookie start before his Week 5 ankle fracture and is now being activated from injured reserve ahead of the Eagles game. His power and fresh legs could give Los Angeles a more reliable early down rushing threat, easing pressure on Herbert and helping control tempo against Philadelphia’s front.

Q5: What is at stake in the Chargers vs. Eagles game for the playoff race?

Both teams enter at 8–4, but the stakes are different by conference. A win keeps the Chargers in a strong position in the AFC wild card race, while a loss could drop them behind several 8–5 contenders; for the Eagles, a victory would extend their NFC East lead and help them keep pace for a top two seed in the NFC.