LA Chargers (5-3) AT Tennessee Titans (1-7)
TV: CBS-2 (Los Angeles), CBS-8 (San Diego), Paramount/NFL+
Radio: Los Angeles: KYSR-FM (98.7), LA Spanish: 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (LA Spanish)
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: OUT: RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring), Tony Jefferson (hamstring), Tarheeb Still (knee). Questionable: Mekhi Becton (knee), Will Dissly (illness), Josh Harris (chest), Deane Leonard (knee).
Titans: OUT: OLB Arden Key (quad), S Xavier Woods (hamstring), DT Jeffery Simmons (hamstring), WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring). Questionable: WR Bryce Oliver (knee).
What’s at stake? For the Chargers they need to continue stacking up wins the next three weeks before the bye week. They are 4-1 in the AFC and this would give them yet another conference victory. Plus, if Jesse Minter is serious about giving undrafted rookie Nikko Reed a look, this is a good game to do it.
For the Titans, they are deciding whether to be sellers or stay put with them starting their head coach search. If they win this game it could be a “let’s stay put and wait,” moment.
Who’s better? Chargers. Plain and simple. Plus, the Chargers are starting to get healthy.
Matchup to watch: Chargers offensive line vs. Titans front four: Justin Herbert is still getting hit at a high rate and the Titans have a front four that can give teams fits. The Chargers offensive line is still a problem and needs to improve as the last two months of the season are here.
Chargers win if: the defense can disrupt Titans quarterback Cam Ward. The pass rush seems to have improved since Khalil Mack returned, so they will need to get after Ward and cause him to make mistakes. The numbers don’t tell the full story with Ward, he has talent.
Fantasy sleeper: Quentin Johnston. He has been very quiet since his first three games of the season. He went catch-less against the Vikings. Expect him to make plays on Sunday.
Prediction: This is a game the Chargers should pull Herbert by the start of the 4th quarter. Chargers 31 Titans 14