Chargers Look to Stay Hot Against Struggling Titans in Week 9 Showdown

The Tennessee Titans enter Week 9 at a crossroads. With a 1-7 record, their season has quickly spiraled, leaving them searching for answers and momentum heading into Sunday’s home matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Titans’ offense has struggled to find consistency, while their defense — long considered the team’s strength — has often been left to carry the load.

For head coach Brian Callahan, the challenge now is to restore competitiveness and morale within a locker room that has endured a series of close losses and missed opportunities. The team’s lone victory came weeks ago, and since then, Tennessee has fallen into a pattern of turnovers and stalled drives.

Still, there are bright spots, particularly on the defensive front. The Titans boast one of the league’s most disruptive interior duos in Jeffery Simmons and rookie standout T’Vondre Sweat. The pair has combined for 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss — production that has kept opposing quarterbacks on alert, even as the team’s record continues to slide.

Sunday’s matchup against Justin Herbert and the high-powered Chargers offense presents another test — and perhaps an opportunity. If the Titans’ pass rush can generate consistent pressure, they may have a chance to keep the game close against one of the AFC’s most explosive teams.

1. Chargers Riding Momentum After Dominant Win

The Chargers, meanwhile, come into Week 9 in a far different position. Following a convincing 37-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles improved to 5-3 and reasserted itself as a potential playoff contender in the AFC. Quarterback Justin Herbert led the way with an efficient and commanding performance, while the defense suffocated Minnesota’s passing attack from start to finish. Head coach Jim Harbaugh praised his team’s balance in the win, particularly the offensive line’s improved protection and the unit’s ability to finish drives — areas that had plagued the Chargers in earlier losses. With left tackle Joe Alt returning to full strength, Herbert has enjoyed more time in the pocket, allowing him to push the ball downfield with precision. Even so, the Chargers remain mindful of their inconsistencies. Herbert has faced more pressures than any quarterback in football this season, often forcing him into difficult throws that have led to interceptions. Keeping him upright against Simmons and Sweat will be crucial to avoiding the kind of breakdowns that derailed the team’s earlier performances. The Chargers know the matchup against Tennessee is more than just a chance for another win — it’s an opportunity to solidify their identity as a legitimate postseason threat. A convincing road victory would mark another step toward that goal.

2. Titans’ Pass Rush vs. Herbert’s Composure

For Tennessee, Sunday’s contest will hinge largely on their ability to disrupt Herbert’s rhythm. The Titans’ defensive line remains their greatest weapon, and both Simmons and Sweat have made clear they plan to test the Chargers’ rebuilt offensive front early and often. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Sweat offered a mix of respect and competitive fire when discussing Herbert’s skill set. “He’s a fast guy, he’s like a perfect quarterback,” Sweat said. “So you know, just get there, honestly.” He later joked, “He’s a tall, white guy, fast… he can throw, right? I mean, everyone knows that. It’s true.” Sweat’s comments reflect both admiration and awareness of the challenge ahead. Herbert’s combination of size, mobility, and arm talent makes him one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league to contain — but Tennessee’s physical front could create opportunities to force hurried throws or turnovers. Defensively, the Titans will also need to compensate for recent roster changes. Earlier this week, the team traded cornerback Roger McCreary to the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the trade deadline, leaving their secondary thinner heading into a matchup with one of the NFL’s most potent passing attacks. That puts even more pressure on the front seven to generate chaos at the line of scrimmage.

3. A Pivotal Game for Both Sides

For the Titans, Sunday represents more than just another game — it’s a chance to salvage pride and possibly spark a late-season turnaround. Falling to 1-8 would all but end their postseason hopes, while a win against a playoff-caliber team like Los Angeles could help reenergize a struggling roster. For the Chargers, the stakes are equally clear but more optimistic. A sixth win would move them closer to the AFC’s top tier and strengthen their case as a legitimate Super Bowl contender under Harbaugh’s leadership. The offense appears to be clicking, and with a few key defensive adjustments, Los Angeles looks poised for a strong second half of the season. Much of the outcome may come down to protection — whether the Chargers can keep Herbert clean long enough to stretch the field, or whether Tennessee’s defensive line can turn the game into a trench battle. The Titans’ offense, meanwhile, will need to show far more life than it has in recent weeks to keep pace. Ultimately, it’s a meeting between two teams headed in opposite directions: one fighting to prove it still belongs in the playoff conversation, the other fighting simply to stay afloat.