They've had a couple of extra days to prepare for what they face on Monday night: A Los Angeles Chargers team that is 8-4, that has a path to the AFC postseason, that brings to the field a stout running game, a very solid defense, and a looming question at the quarterback position.

For the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday night is about getting back on track after losses to Dallas and Chicago, about starting the stretch run of the regular season the right way with a victory on the road against a good football team.

The players and coaches know that there is a very urgent task at hand: The Eagles want to ramp up and play the kind of football – 60 minutes worth – they know they can play and head into the postseason on a high note.

First things first. Beat LA. It won't be easy, not at all. Here are some storylines to think about as we close in on the opening kickoff ...

1. What is the Chargers' picture at quarterback?

We're in a moment of uncertainty, at least on the outside, right? Justin Herbert had surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand on Monday and then was limited Thursday through Saturday in practice while wearing a cast on his left hand. He wasn't able to work at a high tempo with the offense and run the game plan as the Chargers have designed. And with all of that, the Chargers have said all week that they are "optimistic" that Herbert will play on Monday night. He is listed as questionable.

What does this mean for the Los Angeles offense? And for Vic Fangio's defense? The Eagles have said they are preparing for both Herbert and Trey Lance, the ultra-athletic backup to Herbert who would be a handful to play against from a designed-run and scrambling standpoint. He isn't as experienced nor accomplished as Herbert throwing the football. So much of the game is riding on what happens here and as of this moment ... we ... just ... don't ... know.

2. Eagles' defense vs. Los Angeles running game

No matter who plays quarterback for Los Angeles, the Chargers are going to be a run-first offense, and they do it very well. The offense is expected to get a boost with the return of Omarion Hampton, the team's top running back who averaged 4.8 yards per carry before suffering an ankle injury. His practice window has been open for two weeks and he was a full participant in practice late in the week. Los Angeles also has Kimani Vidal, who gained 137 scrimmage yards in the win over the Raiders last week – he's a shorter, powerful running back who leads the Chargers with 543 rushing yards this season. The Chargers can run the football. They will run the football. The Eagles know the challenge is there and so, yes, stopping the run is the No. 1 priority for this defense.

3. Offense looks for solid step forward

This is going to click. The pieces are going to fall into place. Everyone in the locker room and on the coaching staff believes it to be true for an offense that is searching for consistency and a full-on identity for Week 14 and beyond this season. You can know all you want about the Chargers' defense – excellent against the pass, very physical, outstanding scheme, and one that won't make a lot of mistakes – but at the end of the day it comes down to the Eagles and the ability to execute. "Too many self-inflicted wounds," wide receiver DeVonta Smith said. "We need to clean that up."

The Chargers run multiple fronts, do a good job of getting after the quarterback, and are going to show quarterback Jalen Hurts multiple coverage looks. They move Derwin James – jersey No. 3 when you're watching the game – all over the field. "Got to be aware of where he is on the field and what position he's playing," Head Coach Nick Sirianni said on Saturday. "He can do a lot of different things."

Third downs, Eagles need to win. This has been a focal point all season, and the Chargers' defense is good on third downs – as well as first and second downs.

4. When the Eagles win the turnover battle, they win the game

There have been too many giveaways the last couple of weeks and, not so coincidentally, the Eagles fell to Dallas and Chicago. Still, the Eagles have a +5 in the turnover ratio department, while the Chargers are at -1. This is a significant disparity, so the Eagles have to make sure they have great ball security and get after Herbert/Lance. The Chargers give up sacks. That leads to …

5. How will Jalen Carter's absence affect the defensive line?

As the standout defensive tackle rehabs his injuries to both shoulders, it is step-up time for the rest of the defensive tackle room. You're going to see more of Byron Young, who has played well this year. Jordan Davis is playing strong football as is Moro Ojomo. If the Chargers slide their blocking scheme toward Jaelan Phillips, who takes advantage of one-on-one matchups? The Eagles need to win at the line of scrimmage, so the entire group looks to play a very good game.

6. The names, the numbers, the miscellaneous

• Khalil Mack is the big "name" up front for the Los Angeles defense, but don't ignore Tuli Tuipulotu. He's got a team-high 10 quarterback sacks and will present a test for Jordan Mailata and Fred Johnson.

• A quick start is important: The Chargers have scored four touchdowns and four field goals on their opening drives this season.

• Former Eagle Cameron Dicker – who was with the team in 2022 and won the game at Indianapolis with a fourth-quarter field goal – moved on to the Chargers after the Eagles (who knew he was an outstanding kicker, but had Jake Elliott, so obviously had to move on from Dicker) and he has been nothing short of a weapon for Los Angeles. Dicker has made 117 of 125 field goals, an NFL-best 93.6-percent success rate in his career.

• Hurts has 27 total touchdowns this season – 19 passing, 8 rushing – and his 27 touchdown-to-5 giveaway ratio is the best in the NFL. He is sixth in the league with a 103.9 passer rating.

• Once again, a red zonemention: The Eagles lead the league in touchdown efficiency in the red zone on offense and are fourth on defense. The Chargers are 23rd in offensive red zone efficiency and 11th in defensive red zone efficiency.