The road-weary Titans return to Nashville sans a full-time head coach for the second home game of interim Mike McCoy’s tenure. Tennessee has played four of the past five contests away from its barren and hideous domicile, winning just one contest. Here comes the rampaging Chargers, who need a win to keep pace in the suddenly competitive AFC West. Can the supercharged Chargers avoid looking past the Titans on their way back to Los Angeles in Week 9?
Hard-Charging Bolts Travel to Trapped Titans In Week 9
Chargers Offense vs. Titans Defense
Superstar quarterback Justin Herbert helms the Bolts’ fearsome offense under the guidance of surprisingly pass-heavy OC Greg Roman. The Chargers boast a young offensive core that should dominate for many seasons to come, with Herbert calling the shots. Can a hapless Tennessee defense match up against this powerful offensive show of force?
OL vs. DL Matchups To Watch
Unfortunately for the Chargers, they have had to rejigger their offensive line in training camp due to left tackle Rashawn Slater’s season-ending injury. Fortunately, they had a ready-made replacement with 2024 first-round selection Joe Alt in the wings. The precocious youngster was originally slated to be the right tackle of the future, but was forced to move to the left side. He’s more than looked the part despite the last-minute position switch in August. PFF has graded him as the fifth-best tackle in the league with an overall score of 81.0. However, the rest of the line isn’t up to par, according to PFF metrics.
Right guard Mekhi Becton is injured and hasn’t looked the same after leaving the Eagles’ cocoon of dominance this season. LA has neglected to invest in the center position positively, and the chickens are coming home to roost. Bradley Bozeman’s PFF grade is not kind, ranking as the worst center in the league with an overall score of 47.3. Former Titans castoff Bobby Hart became the Alt fill-in after Slater’s injury, and the results have been predictable.
If there is a matchup to be exploited by Tennessee’s meager defensive front, advantages can be had on the right side. However, Jeffery Simmons is dealing with a hamstring injury and missed last week’s game against Indianapolis, while Arden Key has missed several due to injury. The feckless Titans’ defensive line proved no match for Indy as they blew open holes a mile wide for Jonathan Taylor to stroll through with regularity. It should be the same against the Chargers.
Skill Positions Battles
The Chargers’ run game is down to just 2024 sixth-round selection Kimani Vidal after Najee Harris injured himself in a fireworks accident. Promising rookie Omarion Hampton suffered an injury earlier in the season and is on IR recuperating. Additionally, Vidal will have to carry the load as backup, and former Titan Hassan Haskins is injured as well. After wandering the hinterlands called the Chicago Bears’ wide receiver room, old man Keenan Allen returned home and immediately began thriving again. 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston has finally begun to make good on his immense potential. Ladd McConkey is doing McConkey things and being a steady presence as a sophomore. Another youngster, rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden, is emerging as a threat.
Countering the Chargers’ assortment of weapons is a secondary that has been torn down to the studs after the recent trades of Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. The oft-injured L’Jarius Sneed is on IR again for a leg issue. Safety Xavier Woods is on track to miss the game due to a hamstring issue. Veteran Quandre Diggs will likely draw the start in his place. Tennessee’s cornerback room is truly horrific, and the Chargers will take full advantage with Herbert’s strengths. It will be a long day for Dennard Wilson’s men on Sunday afternoon.
Titans Offense vs. Chargers Defense
OL vs. DL Matchups To Watch
Tennessee’s offensive line is outmatched in terms of talent for talent against the Chargers’ defensive front. Los Angeles features a wily old veteran sack master in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tupuilotu. Former Titan Teair Tart also plays a significant role alongside rookie Jamaree Caldwell, who shone for Oregon last season. Second-year defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe had a particularly rough debut with an overall PFF score of 34.5, but has improved to 61.6 in 2025. The Titans’ tackle duo has been serviceable at best, but has had tough moments. Right guard Kevin Zeitler is showing his age, and the dropoff has been climactic. Left guard Peter Skoronski is the most consistent lineman of the bunch.
Skill Positions Battles
Matching the Chargers’ formidable secondary, the Titans counter with a young receiver room that presents a pair of rookies in Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Calvin Ridley looks to miss another game while dealing with a hamstring injury. Tight end Chig Okonkwo is also suffering from a foot injury, so his status is in question. If he can’t go, rookie Gunnar Helm is the next man up. All-rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still hasn’t practiced in two days, and Ja’Sir Taylor is his replacement. Former Titan Elijah Molden is thriving in Los Angeles alongside safety Derwin James. Cam Hart and Benjamin St. Juste are the outside starters when healthy. Tennessee and Los Angeles have emerging and young players matching wits.
Uniforms
Titans
BRITCHES REPORT
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 29, 2025
Odds and Ends
The Chargers lead the all-time series by a grotesque margin of 30-19-1 over the Titans. Los Angeles has won three of the past five contests with an average scoreline of 22 to 20. These two teams have tangled with each other in four consecutive seasons in this decade. The Chargers own a winning streak of nine straight and eight straight in the series over the Oilers/Titans. Notable alumni between these two original AFL franchises include Billy Volek, Jon Runyan, Lorenzo Neal, Kenneth Murray, Elijah Molden, and Desmond King.
Referee Referendum
Referee for Chargers at Titans — Alex Kemp
https://t.co/2m9TpHbbJu #LACvsTEN pic.twitter.com/nPztTqGh9J— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs
(@footballzebras) October 29, 2025
(Note: All crew information is courtesy of Football Zebras)
Kemp is in his eighth season as a head referee and 12th season overall as an NFL official. He has two veteran officials with at least 16 seasons of experience. Line Judge Rusty Baynes has 16 seasons, while Back Judge Scott Helverson has 23. Four of the six on-field officials returned to Kemp’s crew from last season. The two new faces are NFL rookie Umpire Brandon Ellison and Down Judge Mike Carr from Cheffers’ crew. Kemp’s staff previously called a Titans game in the 2025 season opener against the Broncos. They were busy gaining screen time, calling a total of 19 penalties during the game. Interestingly, Kemp’s season trends feature a near 50/50 balance between home and away teams under his purview.
Main Photo: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
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