Eagles Fall to Chargers in OT, Raising Big Questions About Identity and Offensive Consistency
The Philadelphia Eagles had a chance to put a stranglehold on the NFC East Monday night. Instead, they walked off the field in Los Angeles with their fifth loss of the season-and more questions than answers. A 29-23 overtime defeat to the Chargers dropped the defending Super Bowl champs to 8-5, and while the record still keeps them firmly in the playoff picture, the performance raised some real concerns about where this team is headed.
Let’s start with the obvious: Jalen Hurts had a night to forget. The reigning Super Bowl MVP turned the ball over five times-four interceptions and a fumble.
For a quarterback who’s built his game on poise, efficiency, and protecting the football, this was a jarring departure from the norm. Hurts looked unsettled all night, and the offense followed suit, struggling to find any rhythm or identity.
This wasn’t just a bad game-it was a breakdown of the formula that’s made the Eagles so successful under Nick Sirianni. For the past two seasons, this team has thrived on a clear blueprint: run the ball with authority, play tough, opportunistic defense, and avoid self-inflicted wounds.
Monday night, they did the opposite. Five turnovers on the road against a playoff-caliber team is a tough way to win in the NFL, and the Eagles nearly pulled it off anyway.
That’s both the frustrating and somewhat encouraging part.
There were bright spots, though. Saquon Barkley looked like the version of himself that had fans buzzing during his early years in New York-decisive, explosive, and productive.
He racked up 122 rushing yards and gave the offense some life when it desperately needed it. A.J.
Brown also delivered, hauling in six catches for 100 yards and reminding everyone why he’s still one of the most dangerous weapons in the league.
But the bigger issue isn’t individual performances-it’s the lack of cohesion and identity on offense. Hurts threw the ball 40 times and lined up under center just 13 times.
That’s a significant shift from the balanced, ground-and-pound approach that’s defined this team’s success. Former Colts coach Jeff Saturday put it bluntly on First Take Tuesday morning: “I’m very concerned, because I don’t think they know who they are.”
That’s a strong statement, but it’s not without merit. Saturday went on to lay out what’s worked for Philly in the past: strong defense, a dominant run game, and mistake-free football.
“Let’s make it ugly and let’s have a shot at the end,” he said. It’s not flashy, but it’s been effective.
The problem? Right now, the Eagles are doing the opposite-and it’s costing them.
Still, it’s important not to overreact. This was a road game against a talented Chargers squad, and it went deep into overtime despite the Eagles coughing up the ball five times.
"I'm very concerned, because I don't think they know who they are."@SaturdayJeff weighs in on the level of concern he has for the Eagles 👀 pic.twitter.com/JMV1w0lHc1
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 9, 2025
That’s not nothing. And while some restless fans in Philly are already calling for rookie backup Tanner McKee, the reality is this team still has a path to a high playoff seed.
They’ll see the Commanders twice in the coming weeks, and with Jayden Daniels sidelined, those games suddenly look a lot more manageable.
And let’s not overlook the defense. Quietly, this unit is playing some of its best football of the season.
They’ve tightened up in the red zone, improved their pass rush, and look more complete than they did heading into last year’s postseason run. That’s a big deal-especially if the offense can get back to doing what it does best.
So is it time to panic in Philadelphia? Not quite.
But it is time to recalibrate. The Eagles don’t need to reinvent the wheel-they just need to get back to what’s worked.
Run the ball. Protect the football.
Let the defense do its thing. That’s the identity that made them champions.
And if they can rediscover that identity down the stretch, they’ll be a tough out in January.