This week is very simple. If the Chargers lose to the Titans and fall to 3-6 whatever slim playoff hopes the have will be long gone. Even if they win out, which is going to be extremely difficult to do, 10-6 is likely not going to be enough to get them to the post-season in the AFC.
They would fall behind at least five teams (maybe more depending on how Sunday shakes out), two in their own division, and not have the tiebreaker against most of them, and that’s just for the Wild Card.
So the next two games, both at home, both against teams they will be favored to beat, are crucial, starting Sunday against the 4-4 Tennessee Titans. With that in mind here are your three players to watch:
Orlando Franklin, LG
The Titans have one of the better defensive lines in the NFL and a propensity to get after the quarterback. The Chargers are missing a lot of firepower in the passing game, with Hunter Henry out and Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams slowed by knee injuries. That likely means Philip Rivers won’t have the luxury of his receivers getting open quickly, even against a suspect Tennessee secondary, so giving the QB a couple of extra seconds to throw will be extremely important. But even more important than pass protection will be opening holes for Melvin Gordon and the running game. Gordon topped 100 yards against the Broncos and after all the criticism the Bolts took for not giving him a chance from the 2-yard line look for them to try and establish the ground attack. If they can run behind Franklin and King Dunlap the Bolts will be able to put points on the board.
Brandon Mebane, DT
On the other side everyone knows Tennessee is going to try and run the ball. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry lead the NFL’s 3rd-ranked rushing offense. They hit for nearly five yards per carry, which is a good way to keep chains moving and put together touchdown drives. Plus it’s giving 2nd-year QB Marcus Mariota time to learn and develop throwing the ball. Mebane is one of the last true nose tackles in the NFL. He will have a huge role in slowing down the Titans rushing attack. If the Bolts and Mebane can stop the run and put Tennessee in 3rd and long situation, making Mariota throw to beat them, San Diego will be in the driver’s seat.
Sean McGrath, TE
With Henry out it will be McGrath getting a lot of reps alongside Antonio Gates. The Titans linebackers are not terribly adept at pass coverage. They will no doubt be paying a lot of attention to 85, likely leaving McGrath covered one-on-one. McGrath showed in the preseason he has a surprisingly large catch radius so the underrated pass catcher could be in for a big game, especially if Rivers doesn’t have the time to work the ball deep and looks underneath to his other options.
Derek’s Prediction
Tennessee will run the ball. That’s what they do. San Diego will also run the ball but should have at least some success throwing it, as well. I think the Bolts can make one more stop than the Titans and get a close win.
Final score: Chargers 26, Titans 23
