NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Chargers on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
Continue Watching Cam
At this point, there are stats that highlight rookie quarterback Cam Ward's progress, and others that show he still has a ways to go. Last Sunday, Ward became the first Titans quarterback since Marcus Mariota (2015) to have 20 or more completions in four consecutive games. In Indianapolis, Ward eclipsed the 250-yard passing mark for the third time in four games. If you've watched the games, you've seen the improvement. Still, Ward has just five passing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the fewest by any QB with 150-plus attempts. Ward is working to be better. Here's a stat that is both discouraging, and encouraging: In the common draft era, the only No.1 overall picks with fewer passing TDs than Ward in their first eight games are Alex Smith (2) and Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw (2) and John Elway (3).
One-Two Punch in Backfield
Ward needs help, and a successful running game would help take the pressure off of him. Running back Tony Pollard leads the Titans with 555 scrimmage yards this season, and his 1,503 rush yards since 2024 is 11th in the NFL. Last week in Indianapolis, running back Tyjae Spears had a season-high 82 scrimmage yards (59 rush, 23 receiving) while scoring his first touchdown of the season. Look for Spears to stay involved, but can the Titans do enough here to keep opposing teams guessing, and help Cam? The Titans need to keep from being one-dimensional in this one, and keep the ball away from the Chargers as long as possible.
The Rookies
Titans rookie Chimere Dike has emerged as a true threat at wide receiver after first showing off his play-making abilities in the return game. Dike led the team and caught a career-high seven receptions for 93 yards vs the Colts. On Sunday, he'll aim for his third straight game with 70-plus receiving yards. Some other rookies are emerging, including tight end Gunnar Helm, who caught his first career touchdown in Indianapolis. Looking for reasons to be optimistic about the Titans? Watch the rookies, from Ward to Dike to Helm to Elic Ayomanor to safety Kevin Winston Jr. to …
Slow Down Herbert
Following the trade of Roger McCreary this week, another rookie – cornerback Marcus Harris – will also be in the mix even more moving forward. A revamped and relatively inexperienced secondary will be in charge of slowing down Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who leads the NFL with 2,140 passing yards this season, and a talented receiving corps from Los Angeles that included Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnson. Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden has also been beastly of late, with 19 catches for 309 yards and two TDs in the past three games. Generating a pass rush would help Tennessee's cause, but that hasn't been a strength – the Titans have a 30.0 QB pressure rating this season (8th lowest in NFL). A positive trend: The Titans have 14 sacks since Week 4, which is 7th in the NFL. Dre'Mont Jones (sack in three straight games) and T'Vondre Sweat (sack in back-to-back games) will look to keep their sack streaks going for the Titans.
Stop the Run
Run defense was a real problem in Indianapolis, as Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard scamper. Tackling was a big issue for the Titans in Indy. The Chargers don't have Taylor – and they don't have injured backs Omarion Hampton or Najee Harris, who are both injured, either. But the Chargers have had back Kimani Vidal step up – Vidal has 261 rushing yards in three games as the starter since Week 6, when the team has averaged 133.7 rushing yards per game. The Titans need to bow up and tackle better, or they'll be in for double trouble against a good LA offense.
Importance of Week 9
Welp. This is a category that usually runs deep into the season, until a playoff spot is clinched, or until the team is officially eliminated. The Titans, even at 1-7, haven't been eliminated yet, but we all know things don't look good. And now the hard facts, with the team's chances of clinging to life with a win: Since 1990, teams starting 2-7 have made the playoffs 0.9% (1/109) of the time, won the division 0.9% (1/109) of the time, and won the Super Bowl, um, never. Teams starting 1-8 have made the playoffs 0.0% (0/49) of the time, won the division 0.0% (0/109) of the time, and won the Super Bowl, well, again never. The Chargers are 10-point favorites over the Titans.
