Chargers (2-4) at Titans (2-4)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 2 ⁄2
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Chargers’ keys to victory: Teams have had the most success against the Titans when their pass rush is effective, and QB Marcus Mariota, who was benched during the Week 6 game and replaced by Ryan Tannehill, has been sacked 25 times. Stopping RB Derrick Henry also will be a top priority considering how much of a difference-maker he has been for the Titans. On offense, the Chargers will need to strike early and often to gain the edge and keep the momentum in their favor – in other words, the opposite of their Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in which they fell behind 24-0.
Titans’ keys to victory: Missed tackles and missed opportunities have been the theme. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said this month that it comes down to not allowing one big play a game. Leaving points on the field because of penalties or poor execution is something the Titans are going to have to stop doing, and the offensive line will need to stop the sacks from piling up. Coach Mike Vrabel said he will confer with the GM and the staff about the QB position.
Matchup to watch: Chargers WR Keenan Allen vs. Titans CB Logan Ryan. Ryan has been an effective member of the Titans’ defense and will be matched up against Allen, one of the Chargers’ top receivers. After having 29 receptions in the first three games, Allen has 11 catches in the last four. But he totaled five receptions for 72 yards last year when the Chargers defeated the visiting Titans.
Who wins? The Titans are hungry to win their first home game, and they can do it here.
Titans, 21-14 Titans
Chargers schedule
W ..... Indianapolis ..... 30-24 L ........ at Detroit ........ 13-10 L ......... Houston ......... 27-20 W ........ at Miami ........ 30-10 L .......... Denver .......... 20-13 L ....... Pittsburgh ....... 24-17 Oct. 20 at Tennessee 4:05 Oct.27 ..... atChicago ..... 1 Nov. 3 .... Green Bay .... 4:25 Nov.7 ...atOakland ...8:20 Nov. 18 .. K.C. (Mex.) .. 8:15 Nov. 24 ............. BYE ............. Dec. 1 .... at Denver .... 4:25 Dec. 8 at Jacksonville 4:05 Dec.15 ..Minnesota ..8:20 Dec. 21 or 22 Oakland TBD Dec. 29 . at Kansas City .. 1
Titans schedule
W .... at Cleveland .... 43-13 L ..... Indianapolis ..... 19-17 L ............ at Jax ............ 20-7 W ...... atAtlanta ...... 24-10 L ........... Buffalo ........... 14-7 L ......... at Denver ......... 16-0 Oct. 20 L.A. Chargers 4:05 Oct. 27 ..... Tampa Bay ..... 1 Nov. 3 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Nov. 10 .... Kansas City .... 1 Nov. 17 ............. BYE ............. Nov. 24 . Jacksonville . 4:05 Dec.1 ..atIndianapolis ..1 Dec. 8 ... at Oakland ... 4:25 Dec. 15 ....... Houston ....... 1 Dec. 22 ... New Orleans ... 1 Dec. 29 .... at Houston .... 1