Over the next three weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles are set to face a trio of opponents dealing with significant uncertainty at the quarterback position. While the Eagles have their own issues to sort out, this stretch could present a critical opportunity to regain momentum as the postseason approaches. Let’s break down what Philly is up against, and how each quarterback situation could impact the matchups.
Week 14: Eagles at Chargers - Justin Herbert’s Left Hand Injury
The Eagles head west to face the Chargers, and while Justin Herbert is expected to play, he won’t be at full strength. Herbert fractured his left (non-throwing) hand in the Chargers’ Week 13 win over the Raiders-a game he briefly exited before returning, clearly limited. He had surgery on Monday to repair the damage and was a limited participant in practice all week.
Even though the injury isn’t to his throwing arm, it’s not nothing. Herbert avoided taking snaps under center and was clearly favoring his healthy hand when handing the ball off.
That’s the kind of thing that can subtly but significantly impact an offense’s rhythm and play-calling options. If the Chargers have to go shotgun-heavy and simplify the run game, that plays into the hands of an Eagles defense that thrives on disrupting timing and collapsing pockets.
Behind Herbert is Trey Lance, who would be thrust into a high-pressure spot if Herbert can’t go or aggravates the injury mid-game. Lance is still largely unproven, and while the physical tools are there, he hasn’t shown he can manage a game consistently at this level.
For the Eagles, this is a chance to take advantage of a banged-up quarterback and a Chargers team that’s been inconsistent all season. If the defensive front can get after Herbert early and test that hand-legally, of course-it could tilt the game in Philly’s favor.
Week 15: Raiders at Eagles - Geno Smith’s Shoulder and Hand Issues
The Eagles return home in Week 15 to face a Raiders team that’s also dealing with quarterback injuries. Geno Smith left the Raiders’ loss to the Broncos after injuring his right shoulder and suffering a cut on his throwing hand. Kenny Pickett, the former Eagle, stepped in and looked sharp-completing 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against a tough Denver defense.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has made it clear that if Smith is healthy, he’ll start. But that’s a big “if.” Carroll also emphasized that they won’t risk putting Smith out there if he’s not ready, and Pickett will be ready to go if needed.
Now, here’s the thing-Smith hasn’t had a good year. He leads the NFL in interceptions with 14 and ranks near the bottom of the league in EPA (Expected Points Added), ahead of only Titans rookie Cam Ward. In short: when Smith has played, it hasn’t been pretty.
From the Eagles’ perspective, it might actually be better if Smith is under center. Pickett, while limited, has shown he can manage a game and avoid back-breaking mistakes.
Smith, on the other hand, has been turnover-prone and inconsistent. Either way, the Eagles’ defense will be looking to feast, and this could be a game where they force multiple takeaways-something they’ll need to do more consistently down the stretch.
Weeks 16 & 18: Home-and-Home vs. Commanders - Jayden Daniels’ Brutal Season
The Eagles will see the Commanders twice in the final three weeks, and the quarterback situation in Washington is as murky-and concerning-as any in the league.
Jayden Daniels, the 2024 rookie sensation, has had a nightmare of a sophomore season. It’s been one injury after another: a wrist issue in Week 2, a knee sprain that sidelined him for Weeks 3 and 4, a hamstring injury in Week 7, and then a gruesome elbow injury in Week 9. He returned in Week 14 against the Vikings, only to re-injure that same elbow on a pick-six.
The Commanders, now officially eliminated from playoff contention, have every reason to shut Daniels down for the rest of the year. He’s clearly not healthy, and continuing to put him on the field at this point feels like a risk with no real reward. The goal now should be preserving his long-term health and hoping he can bounce back in 2026.
If Daniels doesn’t play, the Eagles could see Marcus Mariota under center for Washington. And honestly, Mariota might give the Commanders a better shot at moving the ball right now. He’s looked more comfortable in the offense and hasn’t dealt with the same avalanche of physical setbacks.
From Philly’s standpoint, the opponent’s QB might not matter too much here. These are games the Eagles should win, especially if they’re serious about making a run in the NFC.
But don’t expect them to take anything for granted. Division games, especially late in the year, have a way of getting weird.
Final Thoughts
This upcoming stretch offers the Eagles a real opportunity. Facing three teams with banged-up quarterbacks doesn’t guarantee wins, but it does shift the margin for error.
The defense will need to capitalize-pressure the pocket, force turnovers, and create short fields. And the offense?
It has to take care of business, especially against weakened defenses that may be spending more time on the field if their quarterbacks can’t sustain drives.
In a season where the NFC playoff race is tightening by the week, these next three games could be the difference between a wild card spot and something more. The Eagles need to treat every one of these matchups like a playoff game-because in a way, they already are.