Chargers QB Justin Herbert's injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Eagles as he prepares to take on Philadelphia Monday night. Despite suffering a fractured left hand, Herbert has downplayed the severity of his injury and claims he'll start against the Eagles despite undergoing surgery earlier this week.
However, his plans to play may come with some caveats. With his non-throwing hand in a cast, Herbert will be forced to adjust his playing style significantly. He currently takes most of his snaps from the shotgun or pistol formations, which could limit him on the field if he can't go under center.
The Eagles have been particularly effective against quarterbacks who struggle with this aspect of their game. They've allowed just 6.2 yards per attempt to QBs operating out of the gun and have completed 57% of passes to those players. This presents an opportunity for Fangio's zone defense to shine, as Herbert will be forced to rely on his arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism to find open receivers.
Fangio has likely factored in this strategy, opting not to blitz much against the Chargers. Instead, he'll focus on keeping Herbert under pressure with shorter passes and forcing him to make quick decisions. This could lead to some turnovers or miscommunications if Herbert's not up to speed.
Another challenge for Herbert will be finding targets in passing lanes that are narrower than the ones he's accustomed to. The Eagles' zone defense has already shut down some talented tight-window throwers this season, and it'll be interesting to see how Herbert adapts.
In the end, Herbert's injury could work in favor of the Eagles. With a more limited game plan, they may be able to contain him enough to secure a win against their division rivals.
However, his plans to play may come with some caveats. With his non-throwing hand in a cast, Herbert will be forced to adjust his playing style significantly. He currently takes most of his snaps from the shotgun or pistol formations, which could limit him on the field if he can't go under center.
The Eagles have been particularly effective against quarterbacks who struggle with this aspect of their game. They've allowed just 6.2 yards per attempt to QBs operating out of the gun and have completed 57% of passes to those players. This presents an opportunity for Fangio's zone defense to shine, as Herbert will be forced to rely on his arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism to find open receivers.
Fangio has likely factored in this strategy, opting not to blitz much against the Chargers. Instead, he'll focus on keeping Herbert under pressure with shorter passes and forcing him to make quick decisions. This could lead to some turnovers or miscommunications if Herbert's not up to speed.
Another challenge for Herbert will be finding targets in passing lanes that are narrower than the ones he's accustomed to. The Eagles' zone defense has already shut down some talented tight-window throwers this season, and it'll be interesting to see how Herbert adapts.
In the end, Herbert's injury could work in favor of the Eagles. With a more limited game plan, they may be able to contain him enough to secure a win against their division rivals.
. Justin Herbert's injury might just give the Eagles an edge, but it also highlights the fragility of professional sports and the importance of having a strong backup plan 
.
Fangio's got this game plan on lock, and it's not just about blitzing all over the place. It's about keeping Herbert off balance and making him make quick decisions with shorter passes. I'm not saying Herbert can't pull it off, but if he's struggling to adapt... the Eagles might be able to capitalize on that. 
he's always had this awesome arm talent but now he'll have to rely on his speed and accuracy which might not be enough against the eagles' zone defense 
they're super good at shutting down tight-window throws so we'll see how herbert adapts to that 
. On one hand, he's trying to play with an injury, that shows some bravery & determination. But on the other hand, it might limit his game and make him more vulnerable to the Eagles' defense 
. He'll have to adjust quickly to a new system and find open targets in a zone-heavy defense 
. If he can't adapt fast enough, it could lead to some turnovers or miscommunications 
. Bring it on, Herbert! 
Just went to that new food truck park downtown and I had the crispiest cod ever! Reminded me of my fave childhood meal. Anyway, back to the game... don't think Herbert's gonna be able to outsmart Fangio's zone defense 
. Those Eagles defenders are like a well-oiled machine. Maybe Herbert should just stick to playing with his non-throwing hand and see if that gives him an advantage? 
Chargers QB Justin Herbert is like, totally gonna struggle with his non-throwing hand in a cast... it's like, how are you gonna throw passes if your non-dominant hand is all wrapped up? 
He's got this whole game plan figured out and it's just gonna be a fun game to watch... I'm team Eagles all day 
I mean, I get it, he wants to prove himself, but the Eagles are gonna try and take him down a peg or two. With that non-throwing hand in a cast, it's like he's trying to pass out of a wheelchair lol. The Chargers have been killing it this season, especially against QBs who can't handle shotgun or pistol formations. And now Herbert has to adjust... 
. I mean, Herbert's got to adjust to playing with a cast on his non-throwing hand, which could limit his options out there. And if he can't go under center, it's gonna be tough for him to read the defense. The Eagles have been killing it against QBs who struggle with this, so I think Fangio's got a good game plan in place 
. Fangio's zone defense might be the perfect counter to Herbert's playing style, forcing him to rely on long throws and athleticism - that's a tough ask, even for an elite QB like Herbert 
. I mean, can you imagine playing with a broken hand and trying to adjust your game plan on the fly? It's gonna be tough for him to go under center and make those long throws downfield. And with Fangio's zone defense, they're already looking to limit his effectiveness by forcing quick decisions and shorter passes 
. But you know what, maybe this is the wake-up call Herbert needs to realize he can't do it all on his own. The Eagles are in a good spot to capitalize on this and make some crucial plays to take down their division rivals 
The Eagles' zone defense is gonna have a field day with him having to adjust on the fly. And let's be real, Herbert's offense relies heavily on his athleticism and arm talent... how's he gonna make those quick decisions under pressure? 
This could turn out to be an Eagles game to win! 
. If he can't go under center, it's like having one arm tied behind his back 
. Fangio's got this one covered, imo. He'll keep Herbert under pressure with shorter passes and force him into quick decisions. If Herbert can't adapt fast enough, he'll be throwing interceptions left and right 
. It'd be sweet if the Chargers pull off the win, tbh 
meanwhile the eagles are all like "ok cool, let's shut you down"