Eagles-Chargers Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Eagles-Chargers

SCOUTING REPORT

Eagles-Chargers: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Eagles-Chargers matchup. 1. The Eagles need to be more balanced offensively: Head coach Andy Reid will want to attack all levels of the Chargers' defense with both the run and pass. Establishing an effective ground attack along with distributing the ball through the air to several targets will keep this inconsistent San Diego defense off balance.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
PHI	5-4	242	184	3-2	2-2	2-1	4-2
SDG	6-3	237	202	3-2	3-1	3-1	4-3
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Philadelphia Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT McNabb 60.1 1685 12 4 Kolb 64.6 741 4 3

San Diego Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Rivers 62.2 2476 16 6

Philadelphia Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD McCoy 86 353 4.1 2 Westbr... 47 225 4.8 1

San Diego Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Tomlin... 115 385 3.3 5 Sprole... 51 184 3.6 1

Philadelphia Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 34 621 18.3 4 Celek 46 533 11.6 5

San Diego Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 43 732 17.0 7 Gates 49 668 13.6 2

Full Player Stats: Philadelphia | San Diego

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	PHI	352.0
	SDG	335.0
Yards Passing	PHI	250.1
	SDG	259.8
Yards Rushing	PHI	102.1
	SDG	75.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	PHI	307.4
	SDG	326.7
Pass Yds Allowed	PHI	205.6
	SDG	207.8
Rush Yds Allowed	PHI	101.9
	SDG	118.9

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Philadelphia leads 2-1
Oct 23, 2005	PHI 20, @SDG 17
Dec 9, 2001	PHI 24, @SDG 14

Following yet another slow start, the San Diego Chargers have gotten on a roll.

It's hard to figure which direction the Philadelphia Eagles are headed.

Philadelphia failed to build off an uplifting win over the reigning NFC East champions and now looks to send San Diego to the same fate Sunday when these division title hopefuls meet at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers (5-3) are going after a fourth consecutive AFC West crown and fifth in six years despite consistently struggling out of the gate. They've had a winning record through six games only once in that span (2006).

They opened 2/3 this year but have since won three in a row and the latest victory may have been their most impressive, rallying past the New York Giants 21-20 last Sunday. Philip Rivers led an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 18-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play.

"I think it will carry over into this week, something we can build on as we prepare for another really tough NFC East opponent," said Rivers, who had three TD passes for the third time in five weeks.

It was the fourth time in 13 games, including a playoff win over Indianapolis, that Rivers engineered a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

"He's calm and confident and that just rubs off on everyone else," said Jackson, who had five TD catches in the last four games and is tied for the league lead with seven.

While the Chargers have pulled within one game of Denver for the division lead behind the passing game, their ground attack continues to stumble.

San Diego is averaging a league-low 3.1 yards per carry and is the only team that has not rushed for 600 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson had 22 yards on 12 carries last Sunday and it appears more and more that his carries are merely to set up the play-action passing game.

"We've still got a ton of room for improvement," Rivers said.

So do the Eagles (5-3).

They opened 3-1 before a stunning loss to lowly Oakland. They appeared to be back on the right track with a 40-17 rout of the Giants on Nov. 1, but a 20-16 home loss to archrival Dallas last Sunday night dropped them out of the NFC East lead.

"We have to eliminate mistakes," said Donovan McNabb, who had two interceptions after throwing only one all season. "We have to have short-term memory and just move on and be able to erase what happened."

McNabb could benefit from the return of Brian Westbrook, who missed the last two games due to post-concussion symptoms but said he is a go for Sunday. San Diego is 26th in the league against the run, allowing 130.1 yards per game.

The Eagles went 1-8-1 in their last 10 games decided by seven points or less, including a 32-25 defeat at Arizona in the NFC championship game. Their five victories this year have been by an average of 20.0 points.

"That's a pretty good stat," coach Andy Reid said of the record in close games. "I don't know if there is a link other than that stat. I don't see a tightness, or pressing in the fourth quarter. I haven't seen that. On the other side, maybe we're trying too hard, because I see a maximum effort out there."

The Chargers have won five of their last six games decided by eight points or less.

Their defense, particularly against the pass, has keyed the recent surge. San Diego totaled five sacks in three consecutive weeks -- linebacker Shaun Phillips had five in that span -- while allowing a total of 351 passing yards.

"We've got to put down our foot right now," said Shawne Merriman, who had two sacks in each of the last two games. "If we put down our foot right now, we're going to be in pretty good shape."

Merriman and Phillips have been impressive at a position where Philadelphia is very thin.

Stewart Bradley and Omar Gaither are out for the season, fellow starter Chris Gocong could miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury and Akeem Jordan may sit out after hyperextending his knee Sunday night.

The Eagles have lost all four visits to San Diego since winning their initial trip in 1974. The Chargers lost 20-17 at Philadelphia in 2005 in the last meeting.

Isaacson: It's hard to ignore Cutler's night woes

Eagles' Westbrook might miss up to 3 games

Brian Westbrook is expected to miss at least two to three games as he recovers from his second concussion in 20 days, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Friday.

Secret is out: Defenses blanketing Boys' Austin

Miles Austin isn't doing anything wrong. It's the defenses: They've noticed.

C Hardwick still not ready to return to Chargers

Chargers center Nick Hardwick will not play against the Broncos on Sunday in the showdown between AFC West leaders in Denver.

Eagles' Sheldon Brown Skips Workout

Cornerback Sheldon Brown was a no-show and running back Brian Westbrook was a non-participant because of injury today when the Philadelphia Eagles began eight days of workouts that, while voluntary, are generally regarded as "full-roster" in nature.

Jon Runyan contemplates future

Life is different for Jon Runyan these days, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he spent yesterday afternoon on a two-hour road trip to pick up his pet pig.

Ankle injury sidelines Westbrook

In a lighter moment at camp, the Birds' quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb united in laughter yesterday during the almost-full-squad workout at the team's NovaCare Complex.

Jim Johnson situation a new one for Eagles

Sheldon Brown wasn't there, which is just kind of pointless. Brian Westbrook wasn't there, which is just kind of troubling.

Birds' Eye View: Donovan speaks -- sort of

With the Eagles set to open a full-squad passing camp tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, Donovan McNabb's team of publicists sent out a release today pitching the 10-year anniversary of the quarterback's charitable foundation.

AFC West: Stability keeps Chargers out of turmoil below

There is a major New England Patriots influence in this division. Denver fired long-time head coach Mike Shanahan and replaced him with 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, who spent eight years with the Patriots including the last three as offensive coordinator.

Chargers' Merriman working his way back

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Stadium developer unveils proposal, but Chargers balk

" Local developer Perry Dealy unveiled his proposal to replace Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley Thursday, a day after the San Diego Chargers called his plans unrealistic in a fax sent directly to him.

Majestic Realty terminates negotiations with Walnut over proposed NFL stadium

Majestic Realty has terminated negotiations with Walnut over a proposed NFL stadium, saying city officials requested a "wish list of tens of millions of dollars" that had little to do with the project.

Versatility remains Bingham's specialty

Ryon Bingham is a contender for Igor Olshansky's starting spot at defensive end.