Football can be a cruel, beautiful, and utterly confusing game. If you caught the Los Angeles Chargers vs Eagles matchup back in December 2025, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It wasn't just a game; it was a fever dream under the SoFi Stadium lights.
Eight turnovers.
Seven sacks on Justin Herbert.
A "fake" tush push that actually worked.
Honestly, on paper, this shouldn't have been a Chargers win. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles were the defending Super Bowl champs. They had Saquon Barkley running like a man possessed. Yet, when the clock hit zero in overtime, the scoreboard read 22-19 in favor of Los Angeles.
How?
The Night the Football Gods Lost Their Minds
Most people look at the final score and assume it was a defensive slugfest. It wasn't. It was more like a high-speed car chase where everyone forgot how to use the brakes.
Let's talk about the second quarter. I’ve been watching the NFL for decades, and I have never seen a single play with three turnovers. You read that right. Jalen Hurts threw a pick to Da'Shawn Hand. Hand fumbled it back to the Eagles. Then, within seconds, the Chargers forced another fumble. It was the kind of sequence that makes coaches want to retire on the spot.
By the time the dust settled, the two teams had combined for six turnovers in that quarter alone. That’s the most in a single NFL quarter since 2013.
Breaking Down the Herbert vs. Hurts Duel
You've got two of the brightest young stars in the league, but they had very different nights.
Justin Herbert was playing with a cast on his broken left hand. He looked uncomfortable. The Eagles' pass rush, led by Jalyx Hunt and Jordan Davis, lived in his lap all night. They sacked him seven times—a career-high he’d probably like to forget.
But here is the thing about Herbert: even when he’s getting mauled, he finds a way. He only threw for 139 yards, but his legs saved the day. He picked up 66 yards on the ground, including some back-breaking scrambles in the fourth quarter and overtime that kept the chains moving.
On the other side, Jalen Hurts had a statistical nightmare.
- 21-for-40 passing
- 240 yards
- 4 Interceptions
It’s rare to see Hurts that careless with the football. He’s usually the king of ball security, but the Chargers' secondary—specifically Tony Jefferson and Cam Hart—baited him into throws he usually doesn't make.
Saquon Barkley and the "Fake" Tush Push
We have to talk about Saquon. The Eagles were trailing 13-9 at the start of the fourth quarter. It was 3rd and 1. Everyone in the building, including the fans in the nosebleeds, knew the "Tush Push" was coming.
The Eagles lined up for it. The Chargers stacked the middle.
Then, Hurts pitched it out to the left. Saquon Barkley caught it, found a seam, and vanished. 52 yards later, he was in the end zone. It was a brilliant bit of play-calling that briefly gave Philly a 16-13 lead and reminded everyone why they paid him the big bucks. Barkley finished with 122 yards on 20 carries, basically carrying the offense while the passing game struggled.
Why the Chargers Actually Won
If the Eagles had more yards (365 to 275) and more sacks (7 to 1), why did they lose?
It came down to Cameron Dicker. "Dicker the Kicker" was the MVP of this game. While the offenses were tripping over themselves, he was a machine.
- 45-yarder in the 2nd
- 34-yarder in the 3rd
- 31-yarder to tie it in the 4th
- 46-yarder to force OT
- 54-yarder to win it in overtime
Going 5-for-5 in a game where every possession feels like a disaster is pure ice.
The game finally ended on an interception by Tony Jefferson at the Chargers' 2-yard line. The Eagles were driving for the winning touchdown in overtime, Hurts tried to force one to Jahan Dotson, and Jefferson snatched it out of the air. Game over.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Eagles: The Historical Context
This rivalry doesn't happen often because they play in different conferences, but when it does, it’s usually close. After this 2025 thriller, the Chargers lead the all-time series 9-5.
What’s interesting is that these two teams are built so similarly. They both have massive investments in their quarterbacks and high-end defensive talent. But in this specific matchup, the Chargers' ability to "win ugly" under Jim Harbaugh was the difference. Harbaugh has turned this team into a group that doesn't panic when things get weird.
Philly, meanwhile, felt the sting of a coaching staff shuffle. With Kevin Patullo stepping in as offensive coordinator, the rhythm just wasn't there. They lacked the surgical precision we saw during their Super Bowl run.
Takeaways for the Next Matchup
If you’re looking ahead to when these two meet again, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Turnovers aren't a trend, they're a fluke. Don't expect Hurts to throw four picks next time. That was an anomaly, a statistical "black swan" event.
- The Chargers' O-Line needs help. If Herbert is getting sacked seven times, it doesn't matter how good his arm is. They have to protect him better if they want to be perennial contenders.
- Saquon is the engine. Even when the passing game is broken, the Eagles can stay in any game as long as Barkley is healthy.
What to Do Now
If you want to understand the modern NFL, go back and watch the highlights of this game. It's a masterclass in how momentum can shift in a split second.
You should also keep an eye on the injury reports for both teams moving forward. Landon Dickerson’s calf injury in this game was a huge blow to the Eagles' line, and watching how both teams manage their stars' health will tell you everything you need to know about their playoff chances.
Check the upcoming 2026 schedule once it drops in May. While these two won't meet every year, the intensity of the Los Angeles Chargers vs Eagles 2025 game ensures that the next time they do, it'll be must-see TV.