As the Los Angeles Chargers get ready to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, all eyes are on how Philly plans to recalibrate its offense after back-to-back losses. What’s clear heading into this primetime showdown is that the Eagles are making some internal shifts-and head coach Nick Sirianni is stepping further into the spotlight to try and steady the ship.
Sirianni Steps In: A Familiar Role with Fresh Urgency
After two straight defeats and some glaring offensive inconsistencies, Sirianni is taking a more hands-on role in game prep this week. He’s reportedly been more vocal in meetings and is now presenting material alongside offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. While Patullo remains the official play-caller, Sirianni’s increased involvement signals a potential pivot in how the Eagles are approaching their offensive identity.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Sirianni. Before taking the reins in Philly, he was the offensive coordinator in Indianapolis and has a deep background working with quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Earlier in his Eagles tenure, he was much more involved in the day-to-day rhythm of the offense. Over time, he’s shifted into more of a CEO-style role, but this week feels like a return to his roots-and not a moment too soon.
The numbers tell the story: the Eagles rank 24th in total offense (304.8 yards per game), 23rd in passing (196.3 yards), 22nd in rushing (108.5 yards), and 19th in scoring (22.5 points per game). For a team with this much talent, those rankings are more than just underwhelming-they’re a red flag.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts acknowledged the need for change, saying he had “a lot of conversation with Coach Sirianni this week about how we can improve and what his vision is and the direction that we’re going in.” Running back Saquon Barkley added, “We’re excited to put together a complete game-offense, defense, special teams.” That kind of language suggests a team that knows it’s underachieving and is ready to reset.
The Chargers’ Defense: Quietly Versatile, Quietly Dangerous
On the other side, the Chargers have built a defense that’s quietly evolved into one of the more adaptable units in the league. Their approach has shifted throughout the season-from a conservative blitz rate early on (hovering around 14-18%) to a much more aggressive midseason stretch where they dialed it up over 40%. They’ve mixed in both man and zone coverages depending on the opponent and situation, and their personnel packages have followed suit.
Recently, LA has leaned on a balanced mix of 2-4-5 and 3-3-5 looks, with the 3-4-4 package coming in for specific run-stopping situations. That flexibility could be critical against an Eagles offense that’s still trying to find its rhythm.
Philadelphia uses 11 personnel (one back, one tight end, three wide receivers) on nearly 58% of their plays-a grouping that leans pass-heavy. But when they shift to 12 personnel (two tight ends), they’ve found more success on the ground, generating a strong +0.142 EPA (expected points added) per play. That’s where the chess match begins.
The Chargers have been stout against 12 personnel, allowing a -0.234 EPA-one of the better marks in the league. That suggests they’re well-equipped to slow down the Eagles’ attempts to establish the run or create mismatches with tight end Dallas Goedert.
Combine that with the ability to rotate coverages and pressure packages, and LA might be able to keep Jalen Hurts guessing just enough to limit big plays from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Matchup to Watch: Eagles’ Adjustments vs. Chargers’ Discipline
This game could come down to which side executes its adjustments better. Can Sirianni’s renewed involvement spark a more efficient, cohesive offensive attack? Or will the Chargers’ defense continue to thrive by matching personnel and disguising looks?
Philly has the firepower, no doubt. But the rhythm has been off.
If Hurts, Barkley, and the receiving corps can get on the same page and stay ahead of the sticks, the Eagles could rediscover their offensive identity. But if the Chargers can disrupt timing, force third-and-longs, and eliminate explosive plays, they’ll put the pressure squarely back on a Philly unit still searching for answers.
Monday night’s matchup isn’t just about two teams trying to stay in the playoff hunt-it’s about identity. One side is trying to rediscover it. The other is quietly building one that might be more dangerous than people realize.