Eagles Fall in OT to Chargers, and A.J. Brown Knows He Let One Slip - Literally
Jalen Hurts had a night to forget in the Eagles’ 22-19 overtime loss to the Chargers on Monday. But while the quarterback’s four-interception stat line will dominate headlines, his go-to guy, A.J. Brown, knows he didn’t do enough to help his quarterback out of the storm.
Brown’s box score tells one story - six catches, 100 yards, his third straight game hitting the century mark - but the tape tells another. The All-Pro wideout had three costly drops in high-leverage moments, and after the game, he didn’t shy away from accountability.
“I’m more than capable of making those plays,” Brown told reporters. “Jalen trusts me in those situations.
You know, I made some plays. But I wasn’t great when it mattered.”
Let’s break down what “not great when it mattered” looked like.
Three Plays, Three Missed Chances
The first came on the very first snap of the game. The Eagles tried to set the tone early with a deep shot to Brown.
Hurts gave him a chance downfield, but Brown couldn’t bring it in. A catch there would’ve put immediate pressure on a Chargers defense that’s been vulnerable to explosive plays.
Instead, it was a missed opportunity that foreshadowed what was to come.
Then came the turning point midway through the fourth quarter. The Eagles were clinging to a 16-13 lead, nearing midfield, with a chance to extend the drive and potentially put the game away.
Hurts, under pressure, floated a high but catchable ball over the middle. Brown got both hands on it - but couldn’t secure it.
The deflection landed in the arms of rookie cornerback Cam Hart, marking Hurts’ third interception of the night.
That one stung the most.
“I’m more than capable of making that grab for him,” Brown said. “Jalen, he’s under pressure and stepping up in the pocket.
I’m more than capable of making that one for him, man. That one hurt. ...
You can’t put that one on him.”
It was a momentum-shifting turnover. The Chargers turned it into a game-tying field goal, and the tide never turned back in Philly’s favor.
The final miss came with under three minutes to play. Hurts found Brown again, this time on a potential game-winning 26-yard touchdown strike.
Brown had separation. The ball was there.
But once again, it slipped through his hands. Another chance gone.
To his credit, Brown gave props to Hart, who was in coverage on both downfield targets. But the veteran receiver didn’t sugarcoat it - those are plays he expects to make.
“I pride myself on making those,” Brown said.
Hurts Struggles, But Eagles’ Issues Run Deeper
Hurts’ stat line was rough: four interceptions, a 31.2 passer rating, and a night where the offense never quite found rhythm. But not every turnover was on him. The fourth-quarter pick that bounced off Brown’s hands was a prime example of how even a slightly off-target throw can become a disaster when execution isn’t sharp across the board.
Still, this wasn’t just about one bad night for Hurts or a few drops by Brown. The Eagles’ offense under first-year play-caller Kevin Patullo continues to lack cohesion.
The identity that once defined this group - physicality, tempo, explosive plays - has been hard to find. There’s talent all over the field, but the execution and timing just aren’t there right now.
And in tight games like this, where one or two plays can swing the outcome, those details matter.
The Takeaway
It’s easy to point fingers after a loss like this. But Brown didn’t dodge responsibility. He owned his mistakes, and that counts for something in a locker room that’s clearly searching for answers.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” Brown said, shaking his head.
That’s the mindset Philly will need moving forward. Because while the season isn’t lost, nights like this - where the stars fall short and the offense sputters - are starting to pile up.
And if the Eagles want to make a real run, they’ll need more than just accountability. They’ll need execution.