If you like turnovers, you probably had a great time during the first half of Monday night’s matchup between the Chargers and Eagles.
The two teams combined for six turnovers in the first 30 minutes of action. Even with all the sloppiness, Los Angeles leads Philadelphia 10-6 at halftime.
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, playing for the first time since early October in his return from injury, scored to cap the Chargers’ opening possession with a 4-yard touchdown reception. It was the first TD catch of his career.
That was the only time either team got in the end zone, with turnovers and drives stalling opponent territory.
It was a particularly rough first half for Jalen Hurts, who had three turnovers — two of which came on one play when Hurts threw an interception, recovered a fumble, then fumbled himself to allow the Chargers to retain possession.
Los Angeles picked up a field goal on that drive before Hurts had another giveaway the next time he touched the ball. On second-and-10 from the Philadelphia 28, Hurts was looking for DeVonta Smith but was intercepted by cornerback Donte Jackson.
However, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was strip-sacked by Nakobe Dean on the next play with Byron Young recovering for yet another turnover.
Philadelphia got down to Los Angeles’ 2-yard line, but a holding penalty on left tackle Jordan Mailata wiped a touchdown off the board and put Philly behind the chains. The Eagles settled for a 30-yard field goal to make the score 10-6 with 48 seconds left in the half.
The giveaways weren’t over from there, as Herbert had his arm hit while throwing on a two-minute drill, leading to an interception by Adoree’ Jackson. Though Jake Elliott had time to attempt a 48-yard field goal, he missed it wide left to keep the score at 10-6.
Hurts finished the first half 10-of-19 for 95 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Saquon Barkley had a productive first half, totaling 69 yards on 13 carries — averaging a 2024-like 5.3 yards per attempt. A.J. Brown has two receptions for 33 yards.
Playing with a bulky glove on his left hand after it was fractured last Sunday, Herbert is 6-of-12 passing for 95 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble.
The Chargers have just five first downs and 127 total yards, while the Eagles have 11 first downs and 168 total yards.
Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins is questionable to return with an ankle injury. Bobby Hart came in to replace him. Chargers receiver Derius Davis is questionable to return with an ankle injury. While Chargers safety Derwin James was checked for a concussion, he was cleared and returned during the second quarter.
The Chargers and Eagles combined for a bizarre sequence of turnovers that led to a Los Angeles field goal, increasing the club’s lead to 10-3 in the second quarter.
Philadelphia had reached the edge of the red zone for a third-and-2 play at the Los Angeles 21. But quarterback Jalen Hurts did not see Da’Shawn Hand in the middle of the field as the big defensive lineman had dropped instead of rushing the passer. The ball went right to Hand, who picked it off and started running down the field.
But before he got too far, running back Will Shipley jarred the ball loose for a force fumble, which Hurts recovered. But Hurts couldn’t keep hold on it, as he fumbled for his second giveaway of the play, with Chargers linebacker Troy Dye recovering it this time to secure a Los Angeles possession.
It was a play worthy of Yakity Sax.
Kicker Cameron Dicker drilled a 45-yard field goal to capitalize on the extra possession, putting Los Angeles’ lead at seven.
The Chargers have gotten on the board first in Monday night’s matchup with the Eagles.
Running back Omarion Hampton scored to cap Los Angeles’ opening possession, catching a 4-yard touchdown to make the score, 7-0.
After a sack by Odafe Oweh on third-and-4 ended Philadelphia’s opening drive after one first down, Chargers running back Kimani Vidal had Los Angeles’ big play, taking an outlet pass from quarterback Justin Herbert 60 yards all the way down to the Philadelphia 17-yard line.
Then Omarion Hampton got his first touch since returning from injured reserve, taking an end around 11 yards to the Philadelphia 6-yard line.
After a 2-yard run, Hampton got the ball again with a short pass on the right side, taking the ball in for the first receiving touchdown of his career.
Notably, given his left-hand injury, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert operated from shotgun for Los Angeles’ first three plays. But then in the red zone after Vidal’s long reception, Herbert was under center for two plays before getting back in shotgun to throw to Hampton for the TD.
It’s been trending this way all week, but the Chargers will officially have their staring quarterback when they play the Eagles on Monday night.
Quarterback Justin Herbert is active and set to start despite undergoing surgery to repair his fractured left hand last Monday.
During pregame warmups, Herbert has been sporting a balky glove with extra protection on his left hand. But he has also been simulating taking snaps from under center.
Herbert was a limited participant in all three days of practice this week before being listed as questionable. But Herbert, head coach Jim Harbaugh, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman had all expressed optimism that Herbert would be available to play.
Trey Lance is Los Angeles’ backup QB.
In 12 games this season, Herbert has completed 66.9 percent of his throws for 2,842 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton is also active for the first time since Week 5 after he was activated earlier on Monday. He rushed for 314 yards with two TDs and caught 20 passes for 136 yards in the season’s first five games.
Los Angeles’ inactives are cornerback Nikko Reed, outside linebacker Kyle Kennard, offensive tackle Austin Deculus, receiver Dalevon Campbell, tight end Tyler Conklin, and receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
The Eagles’ inactives are linebacker Joshua Uche, quarterback Sam Howell, cornerback Mac McWilliams, running back A.J. Dillon, offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Howell is Philadelphia’s emergency third quarterback.
Safety Marcus Epps is back with the Eagles for Monday night’s game against the Chargers.
The team announced that they have activated Epps from injured reserve. Epps went on injured reserve after a Week 8 win over the Giants.
Epps has seen most of his time on special teams this season. He had six tackles in eight appearances.
The Eagles also elevated safety Andre Sam from the practice squad. They’ll join Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown as safety options on Monday night.
Kick returner Xavier Gipson was waived in a corresponding move to Epps’ activation. Gipson lost a fumble on a punt return in the team’s Week 12 loss to the Cowboys.
