INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Chargers make it three straight with the home win over the Titans 27-17. Los Angeles used a strong second quarter to take over the game and they never looked back. With the victory, the Chargers are now 6-3 and right in the mix when it comes to AFC Wild Card race.
Here are takeaways from the Chargers win over the Titans:
Chargers defense dominate
The Chargers defense continued their dominate play today against the Titans.
The defense held the Titans offense in check throughout the game causing havoc up front all game long.
Titans quarterback Will Levis was pressured from the opening snap and the Charges defense finished the game with 7 total sacks. Led by linebackers Bud Depree and Tuli Tuipulotu with 2 sacks apiece.
After an early score for the Titans the Chargers were relentless not giving up much and keeping Tennessee out of the end zone again until the game was decided late in the fourth quarter.
Coming into the season, this unit needed to be great for this to be a successful year for the Chargers and they have been possibly even better than expected.
Herbert continues to protect the ball
Quarterback Just Herbert didn’t have the most amazing game for the Chargers but he continued to protect the ball and manage the offense like no other.
Herbert had a near turnover before the end of the first half when his fumble was scooped up and returned for a touchdown.
But the play was overturned to keep the ball with the Chargers.
The former Oregon Duck has only two turnovers (one fumble and one interception) this season and that is a key reason why Los Angeles is 6-3 at this moment.
They have been in every game because of the play of their star quarterback. Every full season Herbert has started for the Chargers he has averaged 10+ turnovers. This year looks like he may finish up well below that mark.
With not too much talent surrounding him offensively Herbert is going to have to continue to protect the football it this level to compete with some of the top teams in the AFC.
We will learn about the ‘real’ Chargers soon
The Chargers picked up their third straight victory with the win over the Titans.
If the playoffs started today, the Chargers would have a spot secure as they sit in the sixth slot in the AFC.
But there is no team who is a greater reflection of who they are compared to the Chargers. The six teams that they have defeated combine to a 17-40 record.
The quarterbacks they have beaten is as followed, Gardner Minshew (Raiders), Bruce Younf (Panthers), Bo Nix (Broncos), Spencer Rattler (Saints), Jameis Winston (Browns) and now Will Levis. None of the quarterbacks listed has played in a single playoff game.
The football world will learn if this Chargers team is for real in the next coming weeks. The Chargers will faceoff against Joe Burrow (Bengals), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Kirk Cousins (Falcons) and divisional foe Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs).
If the Chargers can walk away with at least two wins its would show a lot. So let’s not jump on the bandwagon as of yet until we see some bigger and better wins.
