MNF: Best Bets for Eagles vs Chargers

by Tyler Doty

image MNF: Best Bets for Eagles vs Chargers
On paper, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Chargers remain among the top teams in the NFL. But on the field, neither looks all that strong as of late. Here's what to look for on Monday Night.

The Eagles have failed to top 21 points in four straight games. The Chargers have won four of five, but two of those wins came against the hapless Raiders and Titans. Against Jacksonville, which leads the AFC South, the Chargers got routed 35-6.So both teams need to have something go right, and that means it’s a good time to get aggressive in going against their offenses. When teams are struggling to put up points, unders are usually the right play.

But where are the right unders in a game that should have several? Here’s a look at some of the best plays on the board.

Dallas Goedert, Under 31.5 Receiving Yards (-114, FanDuel)

Goedert has now failed to hit this number in five of his past six games. One thing that’s consistent about Goedert is that he is feast or famine. He’s capable of getting free for a big gain, but if that doesn’t happen, he doesn’t get enough targets to put up big yards through volume. The Chargers don’t give up a lot to tight ends. They rank seventh in defending the tight end, and Goedert has struggled to get any production against lesser defenses. There just doesn’t seem to be much of a reason to expect Goedert to play much of a role in this game. With the number set higher than he’s reached since Week 10, this is set up well for him to slide under it.

Oronde Gadsden II, Under 38.5 Receiving Yards (-114, DraftKings)

Everything that was stated above about Goedert applies to Gadsden II. Like Goedert, Gadsden is usually feast or famine, as he tends to haul in big catches over compiling yards. Like the Chargers, the Eagles excel at defending against the tight end.

Philadelphia gives up the second-fewest yards to tight ends, and that’s bad news for Gadsden. He only caught one pass last week against Las Vegas, and while it did go for 27 yards, Justin Herbert didn’t look his way very much. Part of that could have been because he didn’t have to against the Raiders, but Gadsden also didn’t have many targets against the Jaguars or the Steelers. 

If Herbert, who’s nursing an injury on his non-throwing hand, can’t go, Gadsden becomes a tougher fade. Trey Lance might be more willing to look tight end as a safety valve if he has to step into action. But that doesn’t solve the problem of the Eagles’ defense even if Herbert doesn’t play. There’s just too much uncertain about Gadsden.

Omarion Hampton Over 43.5 Rushing Yards (-110, Caesars)

It shouldn’t be all terrible for offense in this matchup. Hampton is returning to action after an ankle injury, and the Eagles don’t have a good run defense. Before Hampton got injured in October, he was starting to get going.

Against Denver and the Giants, he easily topped this number. He also got there against Washington before he exited after getting hurt. If he’s back to the form he showed two months ago, he should be able to find several holes in the Philadelphia run defense.

This isn’t tied to whether Herbert is under center or whether he’s effective. Hampton should get his touches and his yards either way.