Tennessee handled Jacksonville 36-22 last Thursday. San Diego failed to complete the series sweep in a 27-19 loss at Denver last Sunday.
The Titans offense begins with the running game as they are averaging 152 ypg on the ground. RB DeMarco Murray is having a fine season (756 yards, 4.7 ypc, 8 TDs) and will be the focal point again this week. The Chargers have been particularly stingy in their run defense (86 ypg) and will look to contain the run first. QB Marcus Mariota committed several TOs in the first 4 games but has cleaned it up over the past month. He has a 14-6 TD/INT ratio and has lost 3 fumbles. Lacking a go-to receiver he often looks for TE Delanie Walker. This is the one player the San Diego defense has to account for on every play. WRs Rishard Matthews, Kendall Wright and rookie Tajae Sharper are just guys and while the Chargers surrender 275 passing ypg, none of these players should do a lot of damage. Mariota has been sacked 12 times while San Diego’s pass rush has improved with the long-delayed arrival of rookie DE Joey Bosa (4 sacks).
The Chargers have put up 94 points in their 3 home games this season as QB Philip Rivers has been much more effective in the friendly confines of Qualcomm Stadium. The passing game is producing 272 ypg despite the lack of a marquee wideout. WRs Tyreek Williams and Travis Benjamin both have 32+ receptions and 500+ receiving yards. WR Dontrelle Inman and TE Antonio Gates have contributed as well. RB Melvin Gordon has dramatically improved from a lost rookie season and has added 24 catches and 2 receiving TDs. The Titans yield 259.5 ypg through the air but have finally developed a pass rush. OLBs Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan have combined for 12.5 sacks and the SD o-line has to do a better job in pass protection than they did last week at Denver (4 sacks, 17 QB hits allowed). Gordon has been a solid runner, rushing for 572 yards and adding 8 TDs on the ground. Tennessee’s run defense ranks ahead of San Diego’s but they can’t sell out vs. the run because of River’s ability to hurt them through the air.
Public Money Consensus
This week’s matchup between the Titans and the Chargers have the public leaning to San Diego to cover the 5.5 point spread with 67% confidence. The over/under bettors are betting heavily on the game going over the total of 47 at over 80%.