CHARGERS (5-3) vs. TITANS (2-6)
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 7½
Notable injury designations
Chargers: DOUBTFUL: CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: OLB Joey Bosa (hip), RB Gus Edwards (ankle), OLB Khalil Mack (groin), LB Denzel Perryman (toe), RG Trey Pipkins III (ankle), TE Stone Smartt (ankle).
Titans: OUT: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps); QUESTIONABLE: RB Julius Chestnut (foot), G Dillon Radunz (toe).
What’s at stake: A victory over the Titans would give the Chargers their first three-game winning streak in two years and solidify their status as a playoff contender. A loss to the Titans would set the Chargers up for trouble, what with the toughest part of their schedule in the weeks to come. After playing the Titans, the Chargers will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) and the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) before hitting the road to face the Atlanta Falcons (6-3) and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (8-0).
Who’s better: Perhaps no two statistics sum up the Titans’ season more than the 27 points per game they’re giving up (27th in the NFL) and the 269.1 yards per game they’re giving up (fewest in the league). So, are these guys any good? Their record says no. The Chargers are a far better balanced team, especially defensively. They are first in the league in the fewest points given up per game (12.6) and eighth in fewest yards given up per game (303.8). The Chargers are in the playoff mix; the Titans aren’t.
Matchup to watch: Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown for 235 yards or more in each of the four games since the Chargers’ bye week, after he failed to top 180 yards in any of his first four games. His turnaround over the past four weeks can be attributed to his near total recovery from a badly sprained ankle suffered in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers and aggravated in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His mobility is back to normal and he’s been able to plant and throw with his customary ease. The results are plain to see. He’ll be facing a Titans defense that is giving up the fewest passing yards in the league (an average of 155.8 per game).
Chargers win if: The Chargers paired a productive offense with a defense that bent but didn’t break in victories over the Cleveland Browns last week and the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 27. Herbert has rounded into form since the bye week. The ground game, led by J.K. Dobbins, has offered a change of pace from time to time. The Chargers have jumped to early leads since the break, something that’s propelled them to wins in three of four games.
Fantasy sleeper: Can we really call rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey a sleeper at this point? He leads the Chargers with 35 receptions. Only Keenan Allen with 38 in 2013 and Billy Parks with 36 in 1971 had more catches through the first eight games of their NFL careers. McConkey also has a team-leading 440 yards receiving. He and Quentin Johnston lead the Chargers with four touchdown receptions apiece.
Prediction: The Chargers spoke openly during the week about not taking any opponent lightly, and it would be a good idea to back up their words with deeds. The Titans ended their second three-game losing streak of the season with a victory last Sunday over the New England Patriots. Chargers 20, Titans 10.