The Chargers lead the Eagles 10-6 at halftime of Monday Night Football.
Here’s a few things to take away from the first half.
Two-headed monster
Kimani Vidal is not willing to return to the bench just because Omarion Hampton is back from injured reserve. The second-year back had 4 touches in the first half, including a 60-yard catch-and-run on a check-down on third down to set the Chargers up for their opening touchdown. That score went to Hampton, who had 7 touches for 35 yards in the first two quarters and logged the first receiving touchdown of his career.
Inconsistent run defense
Saquon Barkley has already racked up 69 yards on the ground, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt through the first two quarters. The Chargers have been able to limit Barkley when he’s run to the outside, but runs off left tackle Jordan Mailata or up the middle, where center Cam Jurgens can lead block for Barkley have been successful. Perhaps that changes in the second half after Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson limped off the field in the second quarter.
Tight coverage
Both teams have been lock-down in pass defense on Monday night. Jalen Hurts has the second-worst EPA per play of any quarterback to face the Chargers this season through one half, sandwiched between Carson Wentz and Aaron Rodgers. Hurts threw two interceptions and nearly threw a third on a miss that RJ Mickens could not corral before it hit the ground. Hurts also fumbled on a bizarre play where he recovered a Da’Shawn Hand fumble after Hand intercepted Hurts over the middle.
Injury bug strikes again
Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins III left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury, which forced Los Angeles to re-install Bobby Hart on the right side to keep the semblance of a functional offensive line on the field. It yielded mixed results – Hart gave up a hit of Herbert to Jaelan Phillips late in the second quarter that resulted in an Adoree’ Jackson interception. Derwin James Jr. also had to leave the game briefly to be evaluated for a head injury, but did return.
Lack of normalcy
Monday is the first game of the NFL season that has involved 6 turnovers in the first half. Herbert threw an interception to Jackson and lost a fumble when Nakobe Dean ran through Hampton in the second quarter. Hurts threw two interceptions. Hand and Hurts both lost fumbles on the same play, which also involved the first of those picks. With a 48-yard field goal attempt lined up to close the half after Vidal committed an unnecessary roughness penalty while tackling Jackson, the Eagles missed to keep the score at 10-6. Neither team has looked impressive, setting up for a potentially ridiculous second half and finish.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers vs. Eagles: First-half takeaways from Week 14 game
Reporting by Alex Katson, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
