You could of drove a u-haul trailer through the hole Wendell Smallwood used to score the eventual game-winning touchdown in the Eagles’ 26-24 win over the host Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon in an NFL inter-conference game.

More about the hosting on the part of the Chargers later, but as for the game, a punishing running game enabled the Birds to go 3-1 on the season and take over first place in the NFC East. Of course, it may only be temporary because the Washington Redskins play the Kansas City Chiefs in the Monday night game and the Birds and Skins are for the time being matching one another for the top slot in the division.

Even if Washington beats the Chiefs, the Eagles would still be in a tie for first. If the Chiefs win, the Eagles would be in first all by themselves.

Clinging to  a two-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Eagles went 75 yards in seven plays culminating with Smallwood leaping over the goal line on a three-yard run. But there was still plenty of time to left for the Chargers (0-4) to come back. With a quarterback like Philip Rivers anything is possible. And comeback they did with a touchdown to get within two again. But the Eagles received the ensuing kickoff and ran out the clock.

The game was noteworthy because it was played in a 27,000-seat soccer stadium that serves as the home field for the Chargers. But a home field advantage was not enjoyed by them. There were as many Eagle fans, if not more, than there were Charger fans. Both teams were well aware of it. The Eagles appreciated the fans support and the Chargers felt it strange the visiting team seemed to get more encouragement from the crowd than they did.

The Birds were 3-1 after four games and ended up 7-9 last season. So there’s the possibility of this being fool’s gold. But it’s doubtful. They are winning close games. In the last two weeks they’ve won two games by a combined five points and field goal kicker Jake Elliott must drink nothing but ice water. Because ice water has to be running through his veins.

After kicking two field goals last week which included a 61-yarder with a second left in regulation, Elliott was four-for-four on field goals against the Chargers. They were from 45, 40, 53 and 47 yards. He is a sure-fire three-point machine if the Eagles reach the opposition’s 35-yard-line. No team wants to rely on a field goal kicker all the time, but it is a good feeling to know they will come away with at least three points if their offense stalls.

If he keeps kicking this way, he might kick the Eagles all the way into the playoffs and who knows what will happen then. Only time will tell. Next opponent for the Eagles is Arizona (2-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday Lincoln Financial Field.