The Chargers are looking to advance to 6-3 with their third win in four games as they travel to Tennessee on Sunday.
Here’s what the offense needs to accomplish to come away victorious.
Keep Kimani Vidal rolling
Vidal has two 100-yard games in his last three outings, hitting the century mark against the Dolphins and Vikings but getting bottled up quickly by the Colts in a blowout loss. Miami and Minnesota have struggled to defend the run this season, but Tennessee has been worse, ranking 27th in EPA per rushing attempt compared to 25th for Minnesota and 20th for Miami. LA has yet to trade for a running back to supplement or complement Vidal and Hassan Haskins, so it’s looking like the second-year man will get another opportunity to prove he should keep the lead job until Omarion Hampton returns from injured reserve.
Hold up against a banged-up front
Tennessee will be without edge rusher Arden Key and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, which leaves the Titans‘ defensive front looking rather toothless heading into Sunday’s game. Joe Alt’s return from an ankle injury was extremely noticeable last week against the Vikings and Trey Pipkins III has been off the injury report this week and should return to the starting lineup. That could be at right guard rather than right tackle, where backup Bobby Hart has played relatively well, if Mekhi Becton (knee) is out. It would be LA’s healthiest and least catastrophic five up front in a while, and their ability to keep the Titans at bay will be a crucial battle.
Get Quentin Johnston re-involved
After a fiery September, Johnston has cooled off in October, combining for 6 receptions and 70 yards for 1 touchdown in three games after racking up at least 71 yards in all four contests in September. Ladd McConkey and Oronde Gadsden II have gotten going in the meantime, while Keenan Allen has remained steady, and the entire quartet is now separated by only 94 yards on the season. Johnston still leads the team in receiving touchdowns, however, and he’s the best deep threat of the four against a vulnerable Titans secondary missing cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and safety Xavier Woods.
Eliminate the penalties
In a game like Sunday’s, it’s much likelier that the Chargers will beat themselves rather than be beaten by the Titans. Tennessee’s only win, a 22-21 scrape over the Cardinals, came primarily due to a series of gaffes by Arizona that wiped a touchdown off the board and turned an interception of Cameron Ward into a fumble recovered by the Titans for a touchdown. For Los Angeles, the main drive-killer has been penalties – Hart has false started a handful of times during his stay as the right tackle and Pipkins drew a few flags when trying to play through a knee injury the last time he was on the field.