Warning--Lighting Storms Ahead: Eagles vs. Chargers Week 10 Game Preview

After their convincing victory over the New York Giants a few weeks ago, it appeared the Eagles had finally established themselves as a true contender with an extremely powerful offense and a dominant defense. And while the defense continued to look impressive last week for the Birds, the issue of consistency again became a problem for the team’s other aspects, especially the offensive unit. The Eagles remain among the elite of the NFC conference, but will need to cease their struggles and little mistakes that have cost them games throughout the first half of the season. Philadelphia will have a chance to rebound from their loss to the Cowboys last week, as they face a determined team in the San Diego Chargers tomorrow afternoon, but the contest should definitely not be taken lightly. The “Lightning Bolts” hold a 5-3 record just as the Eagles do, and because of their dangerous passing attack and typically stout defense, this matchup should prove to be one of the week’s best.

Week 10 Opponent: San Diego Chargers

2008 Record: 8-8 (1-1 playoffs)

Last Meeting Between Teams: Week 7, 2005: PHI-20 SD-17

Game Location: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego, California)

Evaluation: The Chargers have tended to need only a mediocre record to capture their division’s title, for their rival opponents include the likes of the lowly Kansas City Chiefs and the dismal Oakland Raiders. However, this season they’ve been given a larger task with the improvement of the Denver Broncos, and have had to play at their best to keep themselves in the race for the AFC West, as well as the AFC playoff picture. With a solid passing game led by QB Philip Rivers, WR Vincent Jackson, and TE Antonio Gates, as well as a tough defense and quality running strategy focused around former MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and versatile backup Darren Sproles, the Chargers felt it unnecessary to spend time making drastic changes to their roster in the offseason. Their theory has turned out to be okay, as the “Bolts” appear on a good track to making another run at the postseason. First, however, they must worry about the games ahead, and that includes tomorrow’s, against our beloved Eagles. San Diego is excited and motivated following a last-second win versus the Giants in Week 9, and that gives the Eagles even more reason to play this game with every bit of seriousness, as they should every week. This clash of two different conference members should be a thrilling one, even if the nail-biting is encouraged by defensive stands and a competition of which squad can make the most of opportunities.

Key Matchups:

• OLB Will Witherspoon (PHI) vs. TE Antonio Gates (SD): Witherspoon, the team’s starting Middle Linebacker for the past three games, is rotating to his natural position on the outside in place of the injured Akeem Jordan, and will have his hands full against one of the league’s best Tight Ends in Gates. Although Witherspoon is one of the Eagles’ most athletic Linebackers, Gates has and still is the Chargers’ most valuable weapon in the passing game. Through the first eight games, the San Diego TE has recorded 42 catches and 590 yards, to go along with a pair of touchdowns. Add this to the fact that the Eagles have had trouble containing opposing teams’ Tight Ends, and this player battle becomes that much more significant.
• TE Brent Celek (PHI) vs. OLB Shawne Merriman (SD): While the Eagles will need to keep the Chargers’ TE under wraps, they will also attempt to unleash their own against San Diego. It may be very difficult, though, as the Chargers possess one of the NFL’s most aggressive and athletic Linebackers in Merriman. The physical defender who is measured at 6 feet, 4 inches and was most recently weighed at 265 pounds, missed most of the 2008 season, but remains a constant pursuer of his opponents’ QBs. With 4 sacks and a great career total of 43, Merriman must be blocked and held away from QB Donovan McNabb in order for the Eagles to have a good game through the air. The Charger LB was held without a sack for the first few games of the season, so it is certainly possible that the Philly offensive line can keep him a non-factor.
• DE Victor Abiamiri (PHI) vs. OT Jeromey Clary (SD): Abiamiri is set to make his first game appearance in two weeks after missing time with a sprained knee, and will go up against Clary, a consistent Tackle who is one of the under-rated pieces of the Chargers’ linemen group. It is expected that Abiamiri’s fellow starting Defensive End–Trent Cole–will play with passion as usual, and it will be Victor’s responsibility to place pressure on the other side of the San Diego line. He has yet to prove he can provide the Eagles with a trustworthy end capable of playing at a high level on a regular basis, but has an opportunity to take a step towards that against Clary, who has been overcome before. Backup DE Jason Babin is expected to rotate with Abiamiri occasionally throughout the game, so it’d be beneficial to both the Eagles and Abiamiri’s future as a long-term starter if the young player would perform well for the defense.
• CB Asante Samuel (PHI) vs. WR Vincent Jackson (SD): It may surprise you how much Jackson has contributed to the Chargers’ offensive success this year. The 5th-year wideout was one of the league’s “up-and-coming” stars several seasons ago, and has now established himself among the NFL’s top passing targets. Through only one half of football, Jackson has notched 7 touchdown receptions and 722 yards, numbers so good that it is almost guaranteed the receiver will go to the Pro-Bowl with a few more quality performances. Samuel, meanwhile, continues to shine as a shut-down coverage man for the Birds. His tackling skills aren’t fantastic (in fact, they’re probably less than average), but they’ve definitely improved over the course of the season, and the defensive back has already grabbed 5 interceptions. This player matchup has the potential to “make or break” the Eagles’ secondary play tomorrow, so it is certainly a big one.

What to Watch For…

• In the Chargers’ last meeting with the Eagles, LaDainian Tomlinson, then one of the hottest and most popular rushers in the league, was held to a mere 7 yards on 17 carries, getting completely shut down by the Eagles’ defense. Although it shouldn’t be expected that a domination such as that will occur again, it should be interesting to see how Tomlinson approaches the Eagles when given carries. Will he be hesitant to take the ball up the middle of the field? Will he attempt to avoid the Eagles’ Linebackers? Or will he simply play as usual and keep 2005’s game out of his mind? My bet is on the last option, but this little situation provides for some good pre-game thought.
• San Diego’s QB–Philip Rivers–will be facing the Eagles for the first time in his career on Sunday. This might not affect his throwing or ways of delivering the ball down the field, but because he’s never seen the defense of the Birds before, they might try to pressure him all game and keep him uncomfortable. Be sure to keep an eye on how defensive coordinator Sean McDermott executes his defensive game plan against Rivers and the Chargers.
• In terms of former Chargers being on the Eagles and former Birds being on the Chargers, there aren’t many players to talk about. However, Philadelphia’s hard-nosed 3rd-string RB Eldra Buckley was brought into the league by San Diego in 2007 via free agency. For the Chargers, injury-replacement starting DT Ian Scott was previously a member of the Eagles. Scott spent only one season with the Birds (2007), and missed the entire campaign with an injury. Nevertheless, keep an eye on these two players and how they perform against their old employers, even if neither makes a significant impact.

Injury Report (Eagles):

RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) Probable

FB Leonard Weaver (ankle pain) Probable

WR DeSean Jackson (sprained ankle) Probable

WR Jeremy Maclin (foot pain) Probable

WR Kevin Curtis (surgery; sprained knee) Out

OT Jason Peters (sprained ankle) Questionable

OG Todd Herremans (surgery; foot stress fracture) Probable

DE Victor Abiamiri (sprained knee) Questionable

DT Brodrick Bunkley (knee pain) Probable

DT Mike Patterson (toe pain) Probable

OLB Akeem Jordan (knee hyper-extension) Out

OLB Moise Fokou (illness) Probable

LB Chris Gocong (strained hamstring) Probable

MLB Jeremiah Trotter (wrist pain) Probable

CB Dimitri Patterson (strained quad muscle) Probable

CB Sheldon Brown (ankle pain) Probable

FS Macho Harris (sprained ankle) Probable

FS Quintin Demps (sprained ankle) Questionable

Projected Team Lineups:

With the Eagles sitting at 5-3 and in second place of their division, there are plenty of chances remaining to re-take the lead in the NFC East, including tomorrow’s game versus the Chargers. Prepare for a storm of excitement as the Eagles meet San Diego in Week 10!