We’re a little more than 24 hours away from the Tennessee Titans (0-1) hosting the Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) in a Week 2 showdown inside Nissan Stadium.
This will be Tennessee’s first home game of the 2023 season after starting the year on the road in a hostile environment down in New Orleans.
Buy Titans TicketsThe Titans, who are trying to avoid an 0-2 start for the second straight year, are hoping to create a hostile environment of their own with a high-powered Chargers team coming to town.
This game has several intriguing matchups taking place all over the field, including Tennessee’s ground game vs. the Chargers’ run defense, Mike Vrabel vs. Brandon Staley, and the trench warfare on each side of the ball.
However, this article is going to focus on three specific matchups that should go a long way toward deciding this game. Without further adieu, let’s dive right into the key matchups to watch come Sunday’s contest between the Titans and Chargers.
Ryan Tannehill vs. himself
Last weekend, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill played the worst game of his Titans tenure, and arguably of his NFL career.
On top of his three horrendous interceptions, Tennessee’s veteran quarterback missed several open targets, he unnecessarily created pressure and sacks due to his inconsistent pocket presence and inability to adequately see the field.
We all know about Tannehill’s interceptions & missed throws. However, this play I broke down here was the perfect microcosm of how concerning his day was.
Tennessee can’t have its veteran QB doing stuff like this and expect to compete.@TheTitansWire 📖:https://t.co/TinsKGHiLl
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) September 13, 2023
In all honesty, he looked like a shell of himself in practically every possible way.
The good news is, he has the opportunity to potentially bounce back against a Chargers pass defense that allowed a league-high 466 passing yards in Week 1, 132 more than the next closest team.
With that said, LA’s passing defense probably feels the same way about being able to get back on track against the Titans’ passing offense after what they displayed last weekend.
Obviously, a ton of credit has to be given to Miami’s high-powered offense, but that’s still a cause for concern if you’re a Chargers fan.
Unfortunately, Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is battling an ankle injury and his status is up in the air for Sunday. Regardless of if he plays or not, Tennessee has to find a way to better incorporate Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo than they did last week.
Nonetheless, if the Titans’ offensive line can hold up against the Chargers’ pass-rush (more on that shortly), this could be the perfect opportunity for Tannehill to build his confidence back up.
Whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen.
Joey Bosa (if he plays) and Khalil Mack vs. Chris Hubbard and Andre Dillard
If Tannehill is going to bounce back, the offensive line has to do its job like it did in Week 1. Granted, it wasn’t perfect, but the group upfront did more than enough to put Tannehill in a position to succeed and win the game.
Titans right tackle Chris Hubbard played well in his Titans debut, and even in a matchup against Cameron Jordan. Meanwhile, left tackle Andre Dillard was being manhandled by Carl Granderson early on, but he did manage to settle in as the game progressed.
Things won’t get any easier this week, as the Chargers sport two elite edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Tennessee might catch a reprieve, though, as Bosa is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Dillard is the biggest concern of the starters upfront after giving up six pressures last week, but he can change that with a better showing on Sunday.
Titans' secondary vs. Chargers' pass-catchers
If the Titans are going to beat the Chargers, they must prevent Justin Herbert from connecting on the back-breaking X plays that LA will undoubtedly be seeking to hit.
Last week, Tennessee allowed 160 of the 305 passing yards they surrendered off five passing plays alone. Despite that, the defense played well as a unit, even with all of the adversity it dealt with from an injury and personnel standpoint.
Sadly, the Titans will be without their No. 1 cornerback, Kristian Fulton, who missed most of the Week 1 game with a hamstring injury that is now keeping him out for Week 2.
It will be interesting to see if Roger McCreary kicks back inside after he was forced to the boundary last week, or if the Titans allow someone else to cover the slot while McCreary moves back outside.
Elijah Molden is unlikely to be an option for the slot, as he figures to start at safety alongside Kevin Byard with Amani Hooker ruled out.
If I had to guess, I think Tre Avery joins Sean Murphy-Bunting on the boundary and McCreary stays inside barring a disastrous showing from Avery.
Even though the Titans’ pass defense didn’t do nearly as bad as the Chargers’ last week, it still enters Sunday’s matchup ranked No. 28 after allowing 282 passing yards (305 if you take away the sacks) to the Saints.
This will be an even tougher test, as the Chargers have an absolutely loaded passing offense that is led by Herbert and his potent group of pass-catchers, including Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Gerald Everett, and Donald Parham Jr.
I know people have been cooking Justin Herbert for not throwing it deep, but whenever he does it's a thing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/quWwCjRKqN
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) September 11, 2023
The team also uses running back Austin Ekeler a ton in the passing game, but his availability is in doubt after battling an ankle ailment of his own all week long.
Regardless, Tennessee needs McCreary, Murphy-Bunting, Avery, Byard, and Molden to hold their own on a day where they will very likely be tested early and often.
Granted, the Titans’ potent pass-rush will help, but the defensive front can’t be expected to get pressures and sacks on every single play, thus the secondary has to fill in the gaps, which it didn’t do in Week 1.
It’s naive to think that Herbert and Co. won’t occasionally connect on a few big plays, but Tennessee’s secondary needs to limit them as much as possible and make Los Angeles earn every yard.
The reality of the situation is that the Titans’ offense probably won’t be able to keep up if this game turns into a shootout. If the Titans’ secondary is able to successfully bend without breaking for four quarters, Tennessee will have a puncher’s chance to walk out of Nissan Stadium with a much-needed victory.
