CHARGERS (5-3) vs. TITANS (1-7)
When: 10 a.m. PT Sunday
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
TV/Radio: Ch. 2; 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 9.5
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring), S Tony Jefferson (hamstring), CB Tarheeb Still (knee); QUESTIONABLE: RG Mekhi Becton (knee), TE Will Dissly (illness), LS Josh Harris (chest), DB Deane Leonard (knee).
Titans: OUT: OLB Arden Key (quadriceps), WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring), DT Jeffrey Simmons (hamstring), S Xavier Woods (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: WR Bryce Oliver (knee).
What’s at stake: The Chargers can’t rest on their laurels because, let’s face it, they don’t have any. They also can’t afford a letdown after their 37-10 rout of the Minnesota Vikings, their widest margin of victory this season and their most complete game of 2025. A second comprehensive victory in a row would set them up for tougher opponents to come, the Pittsburgh Steelers at home and the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road, before reaching a much-needed bye in Week 12.
Who’s better: The records favor the Chargers in the tale of the tape, but there’s more to it than past results. Quarterback Justin Herbert leads the NFL with 2,140 passing yards through eight games. He has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his past two games and has 16 overall this season. The Chargers’ offensive line is getting healthier with left tackle Joe Alt back for his second game after a four-game stay on injured reserve because of a sprained right ankle. Titans rookie Cam Ward has thrown for 1,615 yards with five touchdown passes and six interceptions. He’s been sacked 34 times to 22 times for Herbert.
Matchup to watch: The Vikings couldn’t stop Herbert’s passing or slow down running back Kimani Vidal, which helped to explain the Chargers’ 27-point margin of victory. If the Titans can’t contend with either Herbert’s passes or Vidal’s runs, then it could be a long afternoon for Tennessee. Mike McCoy, a former Chargers coach who is now the Titans’ interim coach, is likely to have his hands full if Herbert, Vidal and the offensive line are clicking as they did in Week 8.
Chargers win if: Coach Jim Harbaugh said the Chargers must play well in order to win. In other words, they can’t waltz into Tennessee and expect the Titans to roll over and play dead. The Chargers came out flat against the New York Giants in Week 4 and paid the price in the form of a 21-18 loss after they began the season by sweeping their three AFC West opponents. So, lesson learned, right? The Chargers must prove it on the field Sunday, though. Letdowns happen from time to time in all sports, but this time the Chargers would be wise to treat this game as their most important of the season.
Fantasy sleeper: Wide receiver Keenan Allen needs three catches to tie Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates for the franchise career record of 955. Allen has 48 receptions for 479 yards and four touchdowns this season, his 12th with the Chargers and his 13th in the NFL overall. Herbert has targeted him 70 times, connecting with him on third downs, in particular.
Prediction: It’s difficult to pick against the Chargers in a game they seem destined to win handily against a team struggling as much as the Titans. The oddsmakers agree, favoring the Chargers by more than a touchdown and a PAT for the first time this season. Chargers 35, Titans 14.