The Chargers got their rebound victory in the form of a 37-10 rout of the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 23. They got several key players back on the field from multi-game layoffs because of injuries. They also got a three-day weekend that helped them rest, recover and refocus.
Now, it gets tougher.
Now, they must keep going.
Now, they must continue to stack days, in the current parlance of the players.
The Chargers have been at this point once already this season, coming off a rousing victory before facing a wounded opponent with lackluster results. They failed the first time, losing to the New York Giants after a come-from-behind victory over the Denver Broncos gave them a 3-0 record.
They seemed unprepared for what hit them during their 21-18 loss to the Giants, sitting back and watching rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart drive the length of the field for a touchdown during his first NFL possession as a starter and setting a tone for what followed Sept. 28.
The Chargers are determined to avoid a repeat scenario when they face rookie quarterback Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville, according to safety Derwin James Jr. Acting rather than reacting to what’s happening will be the key to success, James said.
“It starts with making it about us,” James said of the Chargers’ approach to playing the struggling Titans, a team that has lost three in a row since its lone victory Oct. 5 over the Arizona Cardinals. “They can come out and run anything, but as long as we play by our rules, I feel like we’ll be good.”
On the other side of the ball, the Chargers can aid Keenan Allen’s pursuit of a franchise receiving record. Tight end Antonio Gates caught 955 passes with the Chargers en route to his enshrinement earlier this year in the Hall of Fame. Allen, who hit the 1,000-catch mark in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 5, has 952 catches as a Charger going into Sunday.
“He’s just a really good football player,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said of Allen. “He’s very smart. He understands defenses and how they’re playing him. He sees coverages and where he needs to be. I think he’s seen so many different coverages and so many different looks that he’s just got a great feel for the game. Combine that with superior athleticism and it’s a great combination.”
After spending the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears, Allen has caught 17 of his 48 passes this season in third-down situations, making him Herbert’s most-trusted target. Overall, Allen leads the Chargers with 48 receptions for 479 yards, an average of 10 yards per catch, plus four touchdowns, second behind Quentin Johnston’s five TDs.
“Am I looking for him on third down?” Herbert said, repeating a reporter’s question about connecting with Allen in the most important of all situations. “Yeah, I’m definitely looking for Keenan. He’s a great receiver. He’s a huge threat on first, second, third or even fourth downs.”
Certainly, the Chargers looked like themselves again while defeating the Vikings after losing three of their previous four games, and with key players back on the field like edge rusher Khalil Mack, linebacker Denzel Perryman and tackles Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins III, who had been sidelined by injuries.
Jesse Minter, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, said several days ago that the mere presence of Mack restored the team’s stingy defensive identity. Mack, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, recorded a sack in limited action against Minnesota in his second game back from injured reserve.
“Heck, yeah, man, having ‘K-Mack’ back set the tone,” James said, referring to the Chargers’ ability to hold the Vikings to a meager 164 net yards of total offense. “He set the tone in the run game, especially, just having him out there. Just having guys out there like him helps out a lot.”
The Chargers did most of the heavy lifting without James on the field. He sprained his ankle in the early minutes of the game, headed to the locker room after playing only five snaps and watched the remainder of the game from the sideline with his leg in a walking boot.
James said the long weekend after the game against the Vikings helped him rest and rehabilitate his ankle, and he expected to play Sunday against the Titans without limitations. Any limitations the Chargers placed on Mack for his first two games back from injured reserve could be lifted, too.
“Building, keep building, keep stacking days, coming out and working together and not being satisfied,” Mack said of the Chargers’ approach to Week 9 and beyond. “The last game is about knowing there’s a lot more meat on the bone. We can get a lot more done as a group.”
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)