NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Second-year quarterback Will Levis returns to lead the Titans (2-6) offense in Los Angeles against the Chargers (5-3).
Levis has missed the last three games recovering from a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. He played through the injury the week after it happened and struggled in a loss to the Colts.
Head coach Brian Callahan says this has been a learning experience for everyone, “I think he learned a little bit about himself in the process, learned about how to be honest about how your body feels and when fighting through an injury or when trying to fight through something is detrimental to you and the team as opposed to you helping the team by being out there. There’s a line there that guys learn as they get experience. And so that part was good. I think I learned a lot, too, in terms of managing that process. But really it’s been good for him to have a little patience and know that it doesn’t do us any good if he doesn’t feel great and he doesn’t feel like he can go play the position the way he needs to. And that part was good to see him understand that process.”
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However, it will not be the easiest game for Levis to return in. The Chargers have the stingiest defense in the league giving up just over 12 points and 300 total yards per game. Whether it has been Levis or Mason Rudolph, the Titans have struggled to score points. The team has only topped 17 twice, including a 20-17 overtime win last week against New England in Nashville.
NFL Defensive Scoring
1. Los Angeles Chargers – 12.6 Points Per Game
2. Pittsburgh Steelers – 14.9 PPG
3. Denver Broncos – 17.9 PPG
27. Tennessee Titans – 26.6 PPG
The true story of this game will likely be turnovers where the Chargers are one of the best teams in the league (+9) and the Titans are one of the worst (-11).
Last week Tennessee finally won the turnover battle, turning the Patriots over three times after only forcing three turnovers in the first seven games combined. Amani Hooker has been the Titans leader in the takeaway department with three interceptions this season.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been extremely careful with the football in this Jim Harbaugh offense. Herbert is not throwing the ball 40-50 times a game anymore. He has thrown only one interception while averaging about 28 passes a game.
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The Charger offense is leaning heavily on an offensive line that boasts first-round picks at both tackles in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater and running back JK Dobbins who has 620 yards this season and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
The Titans’ defense gave up only 15 yards on 12 carries to running backs last week. It is probably unrealistic to think they can do that against this team, but they do not hold Dobbins under his average to put the Chargers and Herbert in more obvious passing situations.
Harbaugh and the Chargers are not afraid to punt and play a field position game because of that stout defense, strong special teams and their ability to win the turnover battle. Mistakes will be the Titans’ biggest enemy in this one. They have to avoid giving the Chargers field position and extra possessions with penalties on defense.
On the injury front, the Titans will once again be without both starting cornerbacks, with Chidobe Awuzie still on injured reserve with a groin injury and L’Jarius Sneed missing a fourth straight game with a quad injury.
Los Angeles has a major question with its standout defensive ends. Both Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are questionable with injuries. If Mack misses the game, it would be the first he has missed with the Chargers. He has 106 career sacks and rookie Titans left tackle JC Latham knew he was in for a major test this weekend if Mack plays.
This is the ultimate revenge game with the Chargers boasting seven former Titans on the roster, including Elijah Molden who leads the Chargers with three interceptions this season.
The line for the game started at (+7.5) for the Titans but as of Sunday morning had grown to (+8.0).
Kickoff in Los Angeles is at 3:05 p.m. CT.