Los Angeles returns to SoFi Stadium on Sunday hoping to build on a two-game winning streak against a Titans team that returns starting quarterback Will Levis after missing three weeks with an injury. shoulder.
While Tennessee sits at just 2-6, the Chargers I can’t afford to overlook Brian Callahan’s team. Here’s why you should be concerned. Los Angeles falls to 5-4 on Sunday.
Top ten in defense
Despite their record, Tennessee owns the ninth-best defense in the league by EPA/play this season, making it the third top-ten ranked defense Los Angeles has played in 2024. The Chargers have had mixed results against these teams, scoring just 10 points against Pittsburgh but put up 23 against Denver.
The Titans were particularly effective in run defense, ranking seventh in EPA/rush allowed, while the Chargers continued to struggle passing the ball. It’s doubtful Gus Edwards will return from injured reserve this week, but he averaged a measly 3 yards per carry before being injured.
Depleted pass rush
Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are both doubtful Sunday with hip and groin injuries, respectively, which could force the Chargers to start Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree while elevating one or both of the rookies not drafted Tre’Mon Morris-Brash and former Titan Caleb Murphy bring depth.
Both Bosa and Mack are expected to play on a limited basis, as they both told the media this week that they expect to be on the field even though they haven’t logged a full practice between them. Tennessee has been a poor pass-blocking team, ranked 28th by Pro Football Focus, but potentially not having Los Angeles’ top two passers at full strength could give Levis more time to operate.
The impact of Jeffery Simmons
Simmons is one of the best players in the league at any position, which is a big part of why trade calls for him earlier this week led Tennessee to simply say “no” and hang up . The defensive tackle is tied for the team lead in pressures with 19 and is third in the NFL in ESPN’s run-stopping win rate.
With Trey Pipkins questionable to play right guard, the Chargers could also be without their best interior offensive lineman. Los Angeles’ struggles inside have been well documented, and potentially adding swing guard Jamaree Salyer or Sam Mustipher into the mix doesn’t give the Chargers the most optimistic outlook against a player of Simmons’ caliber.
The emergence of Calvin Ridley
After signing a massive contract with the Titans during the offseason, Ridley had a slow start to the season, including a low point of zero receptions on six targets in Week 6 against Indianapolis. But with Tennessee shipping DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs and Treylon Burks on injured reserve, Ridley has emerged as the Titans’ best option.
With Mason Rudolph under center, Ridley was targeted 31 times, catching 18 passes for 258 yards. Those numbers far eclipse his totals from the first five games of the season, as Ridley had 9 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets in those games. It remains to be seen whether those numbers will continue on his improved pace or fall back to earth with Levis back at center, but the Chargers will have to cover Ridley without the help of cornerback Kristian Fulton, who is questionable due to a back injury. hamstrings.
Ask defense questions
With Bosa, Mack and linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) all questionable to play, Los Angeles could work without its two highest-rated run defenders and leading tackler on at least a portion of Sunday’s snaps. Tennessee, meanwhile, appears to have both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the backfield, as Pollard (foot) enters Sunday without game status after returning to practice Friday and Spears (hamstring) is about to return from a threesome. absence.
Los Angeles has already proven they can make things work with depth pieces on defense, but the Chargers also suffered a notable decline in their ability to take advantage when Bosa was injured earlier in the season.
This article was originally published on Chargers Wire: Chargers cause concern in Week 10 against Titans
