Chargers @ Eagles
Final Score: Chargers 27, Eagles 24
Writer: Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)
The LA Chargers came into Philadelphia for a Week 9 matchup. This game was a nice bounce-back for Justin Herbert after throwing two duds in a row. The Eagles and Chargers went down to the wire and the game ended with a Dustin Hopkins field goal with two seconds left in regulation. The game result was LA Chargers 27, Philadelphia Eagles 24.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 32/38, 356 yards, 2 TD | 5 carries, 14 yards, TD
JUSTIN HERBERT IS THAT DUDE 😤
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/lGzk7iuapS
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 7, 2021
Justin Herbert was back to looking like the guy who had his hat in the MVP race a couple of weeks ago. He started his first drive on his own one-yard line but quickly got to work hitting Jalen Guyton on a 19-yard comeback route on 3rd and 7. Herbert would lead the Chargers downfield and unfortunately, turn the ball over on downs after a few missed passing attempts on the Eagles one-yard line. After a punt from the Eagles, Herbert got back to work targeting Jared Cook twice for 32 yards, leading to Stephen Anderson getting a two-yard dump-off pass for a TD. Herbert got another chance to score before the half only to turn it over on downs for the second time.
The second half started off with a Chargers field goal, Herbert connected on consecutive passes to Keenan Allen, Josh Palmer and Donald Parham for a total of 50 yards gained. On the next drive, we saw Herbert reconnect with Mike Williams for 49 yards downfield, setting up Parham for an eight-yard flat route for a TD. On the very next drive, Herbert took charge and ran in an eight-yard score, showing off his versatility. Then after a two-point conversion to Cook tied it up, Herbert got the ball back with 6:07 to go. This final drive was impressive because the final drive time was 6:05, and after a couple of 4th down runs by Herbert and Austin Ekeler. The Chargers scored a field goal to put the nail in the coffin in this game.
Herbert got back to looking like a fantasy MVP this week as he was making everything work. He could hit his receivers from anywhere and even ran in a touchdown. These past weeks can be put in the rearview mirror going forward, and Herbert is still one of the best fantasy QBs.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler: 17 carries, 59 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards
Joshua Kelley: 3 carry, 6 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Austin Ekeler was getting nowhere early on in the game as the Eagles had him wrapped up until the second half. The shifty back got 47 of his 59 rushing yards in the second half and even had an important two-yard gain on 4th and 1. Overall, it wasn’t the most productive day for Ekeler, but he got the job done when he was called on.
Joshua Kelley was useless today. This just drives the idea that Ekeler is 100 percent the guy in Los Angeles and should remain a low-end RB1 for the rest of the season.
Sheesh, @AustinEkeler. #BoltUp
📺: #LACvsPHI on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/vUeueH1L9n— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Keenan Allen: 13 targets, 12 receptions, 104 yards
Mike Williams: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 58 yards
Jared Cook: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 48 yards
Donald Parham Jr.: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 39 yards, TD
Stephen Anderson: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD
Josh Palmer: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards
Jalen Guyton: 2 targets, 1 reception, 19 yards
Herbert delivers on the deep ball to Mike Williams! #BoltUp
📺: #LACvsPHI on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/nQIHVZaZN7— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Keenan Allen was back to his normal self in this game, getting 13 targets and converting those into 12 receptions for 104 yards. Allen was targeted all over the field and looked like the lead receiver in this offense. Overall Allen is once again the PPR machine you drafted him to be, and this season has shown us that he can thrive in different roles as both possession and deep threat receiver.
Mike Williams on the other hand still seems to be hampered by a knee injury sustained before the bye week. In this game, he was held relatively in check. Williams did make an impact on a 49-yard catch that he was tightly covered on, and this helped the Chargers eventually take the lead on a Donald Parham 8 yard TD. Jared Cook and Parham have been pretty much splitting time in the offense and had even outputs on Sunday.
Overall I think Williams will get better with time, and Parham and Cook are not tight ends you start with confidence. As far as the rest of the receivers, this is a group that can go off any game, but you should stick with the guys you drafted.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts: 11/17, 162 yards, TD | 10 carries, 62 yards
Jalen FLIPPIN' Hurts. #FlyEaglesFly
📺: #LACvsPHI on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/Y1Hm7V0WJb— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Jalen Hurts had a good football game but didn’t have the kind of fantasy game we all expected out of him. Hurts throughout this season has struggled with his accuracy, and after the Eagles’ first drive, Hurts went 2 for 5 and was looking like he’d continue his woes. After a Chargers touchdown, Hurts hit Devonta Smith deep for 27 yards and converted a 3rd down with his legs. This set up a Jordan Howard TD and tied up the game. On the next drive, the Eagles got a field goal behind their run game that included 25 yards from Hurts.
The Eagles fell behind in the second half but would score a two-yard touchdown behind Hurts’ 63 yards through the air and 12 yards on the ground on that drive. Hurts would tie the game one more time as he would find DeVonta Smith for a 28 yard TD. Overall Hurts played very well, he didn’t force as many throws as he used to and he started getting Smith more involved in the offense. Going forward this version of Hurts won’t be the best fantasy player, but he may keep a job with the Eagles next year.
Running Back
Jordan Howard: 17 carries, 71 yards, TD
Boston Scott: 10 carries 40 yards
Kenneth Gainwell: 2 carries, 3 yards, TD
Jordan Howard finds the end zone for the second straight week! #FlyEaglesFly
📺: #LACvsPHI on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/p3QK5ol1Oi— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Jordan Howard seems to be the guy while Miles Sanders is out. This week Howard lead the backfield with 17 carries for 71 yards and a four-yard TD run. Howard had an 18-yard run, and without that run, he was averaging 3.3 ypc. The other RBs had the leftovers in this game, as Boston Scott got 10 carries for 40 yards and Kenneth Gainwell got a one-yard TD. Until Sanders is off the IR, this backfield is pretty jumbled, and if we’re looking for someone to take, it’s Howard or Scott.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Devonta Smith: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 116 yards, TD
Dallas Goedert: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards
Quez Watkins: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards
Jalen Reagor: 1 target, 1 reception, -6 yards
DeVonta Smith is going OFF pic.twitter.com/hEhTVYGC6b
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) November 7, 2021
Devonta Smith was a beast today, he was getting open against a good secondary pretty much all day. Smith caught passes of 19, 23, 27, and 28 yards, with the latter being a TD reception. Smith’s overall outlook going forward is that of a high ceiling/ low floor player. Dallas Goedert continues to not have a solid connection with Jalen Hurts and has not made the most of being the lone tight end in the offense. If you have him on your fantasy team you kind of just hope they build a connection in the coming weeks.
— Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)