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Tennessee (2-6) will face off against the LA Chargers (5-3) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST as part of the NFL schedule, broadcasted on FOX.
According to BetMGM, the Chargers are favored by 7.5 points. The Titans have struggled against the spread with a record of 1-7, while the Chargers stand at 5-3. Historically, the Chargers dominate the matchup with a series record of 29-19-1, although the Titans managed to clinch a victory last time they met, edging out the Chargers 27-24 in Nashville on September 17, 2023. Last week, the Titans secured a 20-17 overtime win against the Patriots, while the Chargers had a decisive 27-10 victory against the Browns in Cleveland.
Examining team statistics, the Titans rank low in several offensive categories, sitting at 27th overall, 31st in passing, and 27th in scoring. However, their defense is a different story, ranking first overall and also featuring strong statistics for rushing (11th) and passing defense (1st). On the other hand, the Chargers find themselves in the middle of the pack offensively, coming in at 25th overall and 24th in passing, with a scoring rank tied for 26th. Their defense, however, is more formidable, standing 7th overall, and boasts the best score prevention with just 12.6 points allowed on average per game.
A key player for the Titans is quarterback Will Levis, who has missed three consecutive games due to a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. The Titans are eager for the 2023 second-round draft pick to return to action in new head coach Brian Callahan’s system. Levis has thrown a touchdown in four of his five starts, but is still on the hunt for his first win this season. Should he remain sidelined, Mason Rudolph will make his fourth start, fresh off his best performance.
For the Chargers, wide receiver Quentin Johnston stands out after accumulating a career-high 118 receiving yards last week, including a standout 66-yard touchdown catch against the Browns. Drafted 21st overall in 2023 for his big-play capabilities shown at TCU, Johnston has been seeking consistency in his first 22 NFL games. If he can replicate his success from last week, quarterback Justin Herbert may finally have the reliable receiving option he has needed.
A pivotal matchup to watch will be between the Titans’ offensive coordinator Nick Holz and the Chargers’ offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Facing elite defenses, both teams will need to capitalize on limited scoring chances. The Titans are statistically the toughest team to gain yards against, while the Chargers excel at limiting scoring. This creates heightened stakes for both coordinators, as the distinction between scoring six or seven points could be critical given the low-scoring nature of the clash. Roman’s side recently hit a season-high 27 points in their last matchup, in contrast to the Titans, who reached 20 points only twice this season and needed overtime to achieve that last week.
Injury reports indicate a tough situation for the Titans, as they will miss starting center Lloyd Cushenberry and safety Quandre Diggs, who have been placed on injured reserve. Daniel Brunskill could fill in for Cushenberry if guard Dillon Radunz returns from a toe injury. The team is optimistic about the return of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who has missed the last three games due to a quadriceps injury. Additionally, running back Tyjae Spears could also be back after a hamstring injury.
The Chargers have their own injury woes, losing linebacker Junior Colson and wide receiver Simi Fehoko to injured reserve. Cornerback Kristian Fulton may miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring strain, while running back Gus Edwards has returned to practice this week.
This game marks the 50th meeting between these two franchises, originally part of the American Football League. The Titans, who have not won on the road against the Chargers since their days as the Houston Oilers in 1990, have struggled historically in this matchup, recording nine straight losses from 1993 to 2012. They’ve even failed to secure a victory against the Chargers during their 2018 matchup in London. However, Tennessee has managed to win two of the last three games, both held in Nashville.
In other noteworthy stats, the Titans have shown remarkable prowess against the pass, allowing a mere 155.8 yards per game with only three interceptions thus far. Mason Rudolph, stepping in for the Titans, has recorded at least 215 passing yards and a touchdown in all his starts this season. Running back Tony Pollard significantly contributed last week with a combined 154 yards from scrimmage. Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine continue to be reliable targets, with Ridley having at least five catches for over 70 yards in his last two games.
For the Chargers, they have successfully limited opponents to 20 points or fewer in their first eight games, a rare feat in the league. Their offensive efficiency on third downs has improved to 43.1% in the last four games. In terms of individual achievements, former Titan player Elijah Molden stands out now on the Chargers, being one of the few players with multiple interceptions and a fumble recovery this season. Finally, Khalil Mack continues his strong performance, seeking his third consecutive game with a sack.
As for fantasy considerations, the Chargers’ defense and special teams are attracting attention given their track record at home and the turnover tendencies of both Levis and Rudolph, who collectively have thrown 11 interceptions.
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