Eagles Stumble in L.A. as Jalen Hurts Has Career-Worst Outing
The Philadelphia Eagles walked into Week 14 with control of the NFC East and playoff confidence on their side. They walked out of SoFi Stadium with more questions than answers after a stunning 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers - a game that saw Jalen Hurts deliver the worst performance of his NFL career.
Hurts finished the night completing just 21 of 40 passes for 240 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions. He added a lost fumble for a total of five turnovers - a staggering number for a quarterback who’s been the heartbeat of this offense. Even his trademark mobility was nowhere to be found, as he managed just eight rushing yards.
And yet, despite the turnovers and a sputtering offense, the Eagles still had multiple chances to win. The defense stood tall in key moments, giving Philly a shot late in the fourth quarter and again in overtime. But the final opportunity ended the same way too many drives did on Monday night - with a Hurts interception.
Still, the Eagles are 8-5 and remain atop the NFC East. According to projections, they hold a 93% chance of making the playoffs and a 92% chance of winning the division. But the margin for error is shrinking, and the way this team is trending raises some legitimate concerns about how far they can go come January.
Let’s break down how this loss is impacting the Eagles’ standing in the latest NFL power rankings.
NFL Power Rankings After Week 14: Eagles Slide Following Chargers Loss
The Sporting News - Rank: 11 (Down 2 Spots)
Vinnie Iyer points to the missed opportunity to keep pace with NFC contenders like the Rams, Seahawks, and Packers.
Hurts’ five-turnover night loomed large, and the offense’s inability to find rhythm made it clear the Eagles have some serious issues to fix - fast. With the Raiders up next, Philly needs a bounce-back game in the worst way.
USA TODAY - Rank: 13 (Down 2 Spots)
Nate Davis highlights the harsh reality: if the team goes as the quarterback goes, the Eagles are in trouble.
Hurts doubled his season turnover total in one night, going from five giveaways to ten. One particularly bizarre moment?
He became the first player since the NFL moved to a 16-game schedule in 1978 to commit two turnovers on the same play. After reaching two Super Bowls in three seasons, the Eagles suddenly look more like a team fighting to avoid another late-season collapse.
ESPN (NFL Nation) - Rank: 9 (Down 3 Spots)
Tim McManus focuses on the offense’s continued struggles on early downs and third downs.
The Eagles have been among the league’s worst in three-and-outs for much of the season - a surprising stat for a team loaded with offensive talent. Pre-snap penalties and a sharp decline in rushing efficiency have made it hard for this group to find any rhythm.
Last year, they ranked 11th in third-down conversion rate at 40.28%. Heading into Monday night, they were near the bottom at just 34.46%.
Where Do the Eagles Go From Here?
This is a team that still controls its destiny, but the cracks are starting to show. Hurts has been the steadying force for Philly over the past two seasons, but Monday night was a reminder that even elite quarterbacks can have off nights - and that this team might be too reliant on him to cover up deeper issues.
The offensive line, once dominant, is dealing with inconsistency. The run game, which was a cornerstone of their identity, has lost its punch. And the penalties - particularly before the snap - are killing drives before they even begin.
The good news? There’s still time to course-correct.
The Eagles have a favorable schedule down the stretch and the kind of veteran leadership that knows how to respond to adversity. But if Monday night was any indication, they’ll need more than just a reset - they’ll need a reawakening.
Because while the standings still look good on paper, the eye test tells a different story. And if this team doesn’t clean things up fast, the playoffs might come and go before they even get a chance to remind the league why they were contenders in the first place.