CHARGERS EDGE REIGNING EAGLES CHAMPIONS EAGLES AFTER DEFENSIVE SHOW

Tony Jefferson, center, of the Los Angeles Chargers intercepts a pass in overtime intended for Philadelphia's Jahan Dotson, left, and the Chargers beat the Eagles 22-19 in overtime in an NFL game (RONALD MARTINEZ)
 

Tony Jefferson intercepted a Jalen Hurts pass in overtime to give the Los Angeles Chargers a 22-19 victory over Philadelphia on Monday in an NFL thriller between playoff contenders.

Justin Herbert, playing a week after surgery on his broken left (non-throwing) hand, withstood a career-high seven sacks to throw for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers.

Cameron Dicker kicked five field goals, including the 54-yard game winner in overtime.

The Chargers defenders forced Hurts to throw four interceptions and surrender a fumble for a career-worst five turnovers as the Eagles fell to 8-5 with a third consecutive loss.

"The defense played incredible. They came up with so many big stops," Herbert said. "I'm so proud to be able to play for those guys.

"Not the way we drew it up but the battle in these guys is so much fun. They never quit. It's fun to be a part of. We'll have to keep getting better at it and keep moving forward."

Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley ran 52 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 16-13 lead nine seconds into the fourth quarter.

Dicker kicked a 31-yard field goal, Philadelphia's Jake Elliott answered for 44 yards but Dicker kicked connected on a 46-yard field goal with eight seconds to play in regulation to force overtime at 19-19.

After Dicker kicked the winner 3:36 into the extra session, the Eagles faced a must-score drive and were rescued on a fourth-down penalty by the Chargers.

Philadelphia drove to the LA 17-yard line but a Hurts pass was deflected by LA's Cam Hart and Jefferson made the grab for the game's eighth and final turnover to end the game.

"It's just staying in it, every yard matters, every play matters," Jefferson said.

"It was a team effort. We did what we had to do to get the stop."

Jefferson praised Herbert, who wears number 10, for his gritty comeback just to play.

"We'll ride or die for number 10," Jefferson said.

"He's literally the strongest, most willed quarterback I've ever been around. Nothing is too big for him. Broken hand. Surgery. Out there practicing the next couple days. Much respect."

Herbert said after the game, "I feel pretty good."

- 'Going to sting' -

The reigning champion Eagles saw their lead over Dallas in the NFC East shrink to 1.5 games despite Barkley running 20 times for 122 yards and a touchdown.

"We know we've got to be better," Barkley said. "We continue to beat ourselves. We're not doing the little things right, not focusing on the details.

"Last year was last year. That was a good team. We've got to move on. This one is going to sting."

In the AFC playoff chase, the Indianapolis Colts suffered a major blow to their playoff bid when Daniel Jones was confirmed Monday to have a torn right Achilles tendon.

The quarterback will have season-ending surgery later this week.

 - AFP

"GET CARSON WENTZ OFF MY TV": FANS TROLL THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS QB

Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings played on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday Night Football, losing 10-37 and dropping to 3-4 on the season. The offense couldn’t find a consistent rhythm all game, as the banged-up offensive line struggled in pass protection and run blocking. Minnesota totaled just 164 yards, including 130 passing and 34 rushing across 47 plays and ten drives, averaging 3.5 yards per play while converting three of 11 on third downs and failing on their lone fourth-down attempt.

Minnesota Vikings’ backup had a rough outing

Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe (92) tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

For the fifth straight game, Carson Wentz started while J.J. McCarthy continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain, with the veteran journeyman also battling a shoulder injury. He had a rough outing, completing 15 of 27 pass attempts for 144 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before being benched in favor of Max Brosmer for the final drive. Wentz was pressured 13 times, faced pressure on 40.6% of his dropbacks, and was sacked five times, per Next Gen Stats. He was shown grimacing throughout the night and repeatedly grabbing his left arm.

Could this be his last game as the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback?

Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) avoids the tackle of Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

With Carson Wentz banged up and J.J. McCarthy nearing full health, this could be the last game the veteran starts for the Vikings this season. McCarthy’s high-ankle sprain recovery is expected to take six weeks, meaning he could be ready for Week 9’s matchup against the Detroit Lions, exactly seven weeks after the injury, though the team won’t rush him back. Many NFL fans are done with the Wentz experiment and don’t want to see him on their television screens anymore.

- Jackson Loschko

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TOM GORES' PURCHASE OF 27% STAKE IN CHARGERS OK'D BY NFL OWNERS

 

Tom Gores' purchase of a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Chargers was approved by NFL team owners Tuesday during the league's fall meetings in Atlanta.

Gores, who also owns the NBA's Detroit Pistons, bought the 24% share held by Dea Spanos Berberian, which includes 9% that is in a family trust that has a 36% stake in the team. He also purchased 1% each from shares owned by Dean Spanos, Alexis Spanos Ruhl and Michael Spanos for estate planning purposes.

"It's a privilege to join the Chargers ownership group and become part of the NFL. I have great respect for Dean's leadership throughout the NFL community, the Spanos family and its legacy," Gores said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to invest in the Chargers and I look forward to partnering with Dean, Michael and Alexis in our shared commitment to compete for championships. I'm passionate about sports and proud to become part of an organization dedicated to winning on and off the field."

The 60-year-old Gores has a net worth of $11.8 billion, according to Bloomberg. In 1995, he founded Platinum Equity, which has its headquarters in Beverly Hills.

Gores' purchase comes after NFL owners on Sept. 1 approved allowing private equity funds to buy stakes in teams. However, this is a purchase by Gores and not affiliated with Platinum Equity.

Despite having more than a one-quarter stake, Gores will not have a role in the Chargers' daily business or a path to a controlling stake. The Spanos family owns 69% of the Chargers with 4% controlled by legacy owners from the franchise's early days in San Diego.

Alex Spanos bought the San Diego Chargers in 1984, and Dean Spanos took over managing the franchise in 1994.

The approval by league owners ends a bitter three-year dispute between Spanos Berberian and her siblings. Spanos Berberian filed a lawsuit against Chargers controlling owner Dean Spanos in 2021 that alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Spanos Trust and tried to force a sale.

She filed another lawsuit in 2022 accusing her brother of "misogynistic" behavior, "self-dealing" and repeated "breaches of fiduciary duty."

As part of the sale, Spanos Berberian agreed to resolve her disputes with the family and the franchise.

"Faye and Alex Spanos fervently wished that the Chargers would always be a vital part of their family's legacy. This ensures that the franchise will remain permanently under the control of Dean Spanos and his siblings Alexis and Michael," the Spanos family said in a statement.

- Associated Press 

DALLAS FIRE-RESCUE HELPS SOME CHA

Several Los Angeles Chargers players and staff got stuck in a broken hotel elevator.

Several Los Angeles Chargers players and other members of the traveling party crawled through a ceiling panel to escape a stuck hotel elevator Friday night in Dallas.

In a post on social media, the Chargers said that around 7:30 p.m. local time, Dallas Fire-Rescue assisted the people on the elevator "one by one" through the ceiling panel to an adjacent elevator.

"The Los Angeles Chargers thank Dallas Fire-Rescue for their quick response, professionalism and substantial efforts ensuring everyone's safety," the team said.

WFAA.com, citing Dallas Fire-Rescue, said the elevator was stuck in a "blind shaft" between the third and 15th floors of The Westin hotel in downtown Dallas. A technician was unsuccessful in an attempt to get the elevator working, causing DFR to send its Urban Search and Rescue team to the hotel.

About 15 people total were involved in the incident, per WFAA. It wasn't immediately known which Chargers players were trapped.

A source told ESPN's Kris Rhim that Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh invited all the Dallas Fire-Rescue staff to the team meal room to eat afterward.

The Chargers are set to finish the preseason Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Los Angeles will open the regular season at home Sept. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

- ESPN News Services

'FOOTBALL PERSONIFIED': LA CHARGERS HIRE HARBAUGH AS HEAD COACH

USA TODAY Sports 

The Los Angeles Chargers have hired Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach, the team announced on Wednesday, marking his return to the NFL ranks after spending the last nine years with Michigan.

Harbaugh led the 15-0 Wolverines to a national title this past season, ending his alma mater's 26-year championship drought.

He will now take the helm of a Chargers club he used to play for that finished an abysmal 5-12 last season.

"Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," team owner Dean Spanos said in a statement.

"Jim has led hundreds of men to success everywhere he's been — as their coach. And today, Jim Harbaugh returns to the Chargers, this time as our coach. Who has it better than us?"

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