NASHVILLE – The Titans will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch leading up to the contest:
Will Levis Returns
Will Levis will return as the starting quarterback for the Titans on Sunday. Levis, who has missed the past three games with a right shoulder injury, practiced all week and passed the eye test for head coach Brian Callahan, and the team's medical staff. "It's the best he's looked in a couple weeks," Callahan said on Friday. "So, I'm excited to see him go play. He looks ready to go." It will be the sixth start of the season for Levis. So, will Levis have to work off some rust upon his return? And, can he avoid making costly turnovers that have plagued him and the team in his recent starts? Levis, who has committed 10 turnovers (7 INTs, 3 lost fumbles) in his five starts this season, is surely tired of these questions, but he's the only one who can put them to rest. It won't be easy against a good Chargers defense.
Run the Ball
One way to help Levis and the offense is by having success in the run game. Running back Tony Pollard has been really good in recent weeks, and he's coming off one of the best games of his career. Pollard has 622 rushing yards in eight games, with a 4.4 yard-average per carry, and three touchdowns. He'll aim for his third straight game with 115 scrimmage yards. With running back Tyjae Spears trending toward returning this week, the Titans will try and get the tandem working.
NWI, Again
At the start of the season, all the talk was about receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks. But it's been another receiver, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who has really emerged of late. Westbrook-Ikhine has scored a touchdown in four straight games, which is the NFL's second-longest streak (behind Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown's six games). Can he make it five straight? While NWI's streak will be worth watching, the team also needs to get more big plays from Calvin Ridley, and others, in the passing game. Ridley aims for his third straight game with five-plus catches and 70 receiving yards.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Eight games into the season, the Titans are still ranked No.1 in the NFL in total defense (yards allowed, 269.1 per game), but they're ranked 26th in scoring defense, allowing 26.6 ppg. The Chargers are ranked No.1 in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 12.6 ppg. This is just the 11th regular season game since 1990 between the team with the No.1 ranked total defense vs the team with the No.1 ranked scoring defense in Week 10 or later. A good sign: The team ranked No.1 in total defense has won 9 of the previous 10 matchups. So, which defense will stand tall in this one? The Titans hope to build on their momentum from a week ago, when they forced three turnovers and recorded four sacks. The Chargers, meanwhile, have set season highs in sacks in each of the last two weeks, with five vs the Saints and 6 vs the Browns.
Special Teams
I've been throwing this category in here of late, because unfortunately, Tennessee's special teams units have brought extra, unwanted attention to themselves this season. After having problems protecting the punter during the first few weeks of the season, the Titans have had issues covering punts and kicks more recently. Kicker Nick Folk has remained consistent (15-of-15 on FGs, 11-of-11 on PATs), but things need to be better around him.
Importance of Week 10
The Titans are now 2-6. On Sunday, they're a 7 ½ point underdog against the Chargers. Here's how the odds change based on Sunday's result: Since 1990, teams starting 3-6 have made the playoffs 5.0% (8/161) of the time, won the division 1.2% (8/161) of the time and won a Super Bowl 0.0% (0/161) of the time. The playoff percentage for teams that started 2-7: 1.0% (1/101) went on to make the playoffs, 1.0% (1/101) went on to win the division, and 0.0% (0/101) went on to win the Super Bowl. Would you believe the Titans haven't won back-to-back games since October 2022? This streak is on the line on Sunday.
