After a thrilling end to their home opener last week over the Giants, the Eagles head west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers, aka the artist formerly known as the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers play in a soccer stadium, which is a little embarrassing for an NFL franchise.

To recap, here’s where the staff stands after three weeks:

T1: Bob, Kyle, Tim, Tyler (3-0)

T5: Coggin, Kevin K, Kevin L, Phil (2-1)

T9: Chris, Jim, Sean (1-2)


12: Anthony (0-3) [Missed first three predictions, have to give him the losses here]

Our predictions for this week are after the jump:

Bob: The Chargers don’t have much of a home-field advantage. They remain winless, but I also don’t see it as a desperation game for them–that game was last week when they couldn’t handle the Chiefs at home. This feels like a prime spot for an emotional let down for the Eagles, but I think the run will lead the way against a team that can’t stop it. Eagles 30, Chargers 24.

Kevin L: The public is slightly on the Eagles in this one; yet, the line has shifted from Chargers -1 to -2, which tells me smart money is on the Chargers. Not having Fletcher Cox is going to hurt the Eagles ability to make Philip Rivers uncomfortable, a recipe for disaster when you’re dealing with an injury laden secondary. Perhaps most importantly: going west is never easy. Look, the Eagles are a better team. But everything about this game tells me we’re in for a letdown. With the Birds coming off an emotional high, give me the Chargers, home field DISadvantage withstanding. Chargers 27, Eagles 24.

Phil: If this game was the 1-2 Eagles at the 1-2 Chargers, the Chargers would be favored by anywhere from three to five instead of one. Two kicks made these teams 2-1 and 0-3 respectively — the 61-yarder at the gun for the Eagles last week and the missed 44-yarder with :09 left that cost the Chargers their game with the Dolphins. No Cox, no Sproles, possible trouble in the punt return game, possible trouble getting to Philip Rivers, the cross-country trip…this just feels like a game the Eagles have lost too many times before. Chargers 27, Eagles 20.

Sean: The Chargers are better than their 0-3 record represents. Philip Rivers, despite his penchant for turnovers, is a really good quarterback. The Chargers lack an elite offensive weapon, but make up for it with options. I can see Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin occupying the Eagles secondary while Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates frustrate the hell out of Jim Schwartz’s defense on third downs making this a long nail-biting game. In the end, though, Wentz and the offense should find success which will be just enough to put the Eagles over the top. A late Eagles score will skews how close of a game this really was. Eagles 31, Chargers 21.

Coggin: In the words of Admiral Ackbar, “It’s a trap!” My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I’m fairly sure Philip Rivers has thrown for 5,000 yards and 130 touchdowns against the Eagles in his career. However, the Eagles will take advantage of a late gift INT and win a close one on the road. Eagles 24, Chargers 23.

Tim: If you’re one of those people who points to Fletcher Cox’s tackle and sack numbers as evidence that he’s overpaid, pay attention to this game. Without Cox drawing double teams and disrupting the line of scrimmage, the Eagles’ ability to stop the Chargers offensive attack will be limited. Wentz and the offense play well, but are unable to outscore Philip Rivers and the Bolts. Chargers 31, Eagles 27.

Anthony: I know what you’re thinking… what the heck does the hockey guy know about football? I know it’s tough to believe but us puck-heads actually do follow other sports. And although I didn’t make picks on this site the first three weeks, I did get each of them right (you’ll just have to trust me on that one). As for this week, I expect another close game. The Chargers are better than their 0-3 record would indicate, and admit it, the Eagles are a little fortunate to be 2-1. Teams traveling across the country historically struggle and the Eagles defense, as good as it has been, is banged up. The Chargers can put points on the board with a balanced offense and I think the Eagles are going to be forced to throw the ball more than we would like. Carson Wentz and company will still put up points but I think this a last-possession-wins game. In a toss up, I say Philip Rivers has it last, and their backflipping kicker wins it at the buzzer. Chargers 30, Eagles 27.

Tyler: Eagles are without Fletcher Cox, which worries many, including myself, and cross country trips are always taxing on a team. Despite that, I’m sticking with the Eagles this week, in a close one though. Eagles 21, Chargers 20.

Chris: Somehow the Chargers are 0-3 thanks to late kicking woes. They could easily be 2-1. They still look good, even if they play in a soccer stadium. If the secondary can stop short quick slant passes they couldn’t do last week against the Giants, I have no problem with the Birds getting the win. No Cox is a bit of a concern, but it could be worse. It’s a trap game, but I think we’ll escape. Eagles 27, Chargers 24.

Kevin K: The defensive injuries are the key to this one. Missing Fletcher Cox is huge, but a healthy Rodney McLeod would be a boon for the secondary. The Eagles played soft coverage against the Giants and allowed a lot of quick, short-yardage passes to protect Rasul Douglas and Chris Maragos from getting burned. If the Birds can’t get a pass rush this week, I trust Philip Rivers to attack the secondary much better than Eli Manning did. Doug Pederson commits to the run game for a second straight week. Eagles 24, Chargers 21.

Kyle: This is a tough road game that may double as a home game. The Chargers are not as bad as their record, the Eagles may not be as good as theirs. They are also missing Darren Sproles and Fletcher Cox, two of their biggest game-changing players. Chargers 25, Eagles 23.

Give us your predictions below.