{"id":252787,"date":"2025-10-31T12:26:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T16:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=252787"},"modified":"2025-10-31T12:31:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T16:31:09","slug":"hard-charging-bolts-travel-to-trapped-titans-in-week-nine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/10\/31\/hard-charging-bolts-travel-to-trapped-titans-in-week-nine\/","title":{"rendered":"Hard Charging Bolts Travel to Trapped Titans In Week 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

The road-weary Titans return to Nashville sans a full-time head coach<\/a> for the second home game of interim Mike McCoy’s tenure. Tennessee has played four of the past five contests away from its barren and hideous domicile, winning just one contest. Here comes the rampaging Chargers, who need a win to keep pace in the suddenly competitive AFC West. Can the supercharged Chargers avoid looking past the Titans on their way back to Los Angeles in Week 9?<\/p>\n

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Tennessee Titans interim coach Mike McCoy works the sideline during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hard-Charging Bolts Travel to Trapped Titans In Week 9<\/h2>\n

Chargers Offense vs. Titans Defense<\/h3>\n

Superstar quarterback Justin Herbert<\/a> helms the Bolts’ fearsome offense under the guidance of surprisingly pass-heavy OC Greg Roman. The Chargers boast a young offensive core that should dominate for many seasons to come, with Herbert calling the shots. Can a hapless Tennessee defense match up against this powerful offensive show of force?<\/p>\n

OL vs. DL Matchups To Watch<\/h4>\n

Unfortunately for the Chargers, they have had to rejigger their offensive line in training camp due to left tackle Rashawn Slater’s season-ending injury<\/a>. Fortunately, they had a ready-made replacement with 2024 first-round selection Joe Alt in the wings. The precocious youngster was originally slated to be the right tackle of the future, but was forced to move to the left side. He’s more than looked the part despite the last-minute position switch in August. PFF has graded him as the fifth-best tackle in the league with an overall score of 81.0. However, the rest of the line isn’t up to par, according to PFF metrics.<\/p>\n

Right guard Mekhi Becton<\/a> is injured and hasn’t looked the same after leaving the Eagles’ cocoon of dominance this season. LA has neglected to invest in the center position positively, and the chickens are coming home to roost. Bradley Bozeman’s PFF grade is not kind, ranking as the worst center in the league with an overall score of 47.3. Former Titans castoff Bobby Hart became the Alt fill-in after Slater’s injury, and the results have been predictable.<\/p>\n

If there is a matchup to be exploited by Tennessee’s meager defensive front, advantages can be had on the right side. However, Jeffery Simmons is dealing with a hamstring injury and missed last week’s game against Indianapolis, while Arden Key has missed several due to injury. The feckless Titans’ defensive line proved no match for Indy as they blew open holes a mile wide<\/a> for Jonathan Taylor to stroll through with regularity. It should be the same against the Chargers.<\/p>\n

Skill Positions Battles<\/h4>\n

The Chargers’ run game is down to just 2024 sixth-round selection Kimani Vidal after Najee Harris injured himself in a fireworks accident<\/a>. Promising rookie Omarion Hampton suffered an injury earlier in the season and is on IR recuperating. Additionally, Vidal will have to carry the load as backup, and former Titan Hassan Haskins is injured as well. After wandering the hinterlands called the Chicago Bears’ wide receiver room, old man Keenan Allen returned home and immediately began thriving again. 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston has finally begun to make good on his immense potential. Ladd McConkey is doing McConkey things and being a steady presence as a sophomore. Another youngster, rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden, is emerging as a threat.<\/p>\n

Countering the Chargers’ assortment of weapons is a secondary that has been torn down to the studs after the recent trades of Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. The oft-injured L’Jarius Sneed is on IR again for a leg issue. Safety Xavier Woods is on track to miss the game due to a hamstring issue. Veteran Quandre Diggs will likely draw the start in his place. Tennessee’s cornerback room is truly horrific, and the Chargers will take full advantage with Herbert’s strengths. It will be a long day for Dennard Wilson’s men on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Titans Offense vs. Chargers Defense<\/h3>\n

OL vs. DL Matchups To Watch<\/h4>\n

Tennessee’s offensive line is outmatched in terms of talent for talent against the Chargers’ defensive front. Los Angeles features a wily old veteran sack master in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tupuilotu. Former Titan Teair Tart also plays a significant role alongside rookie Jamaree Caldwell, who shone for Oregon last season. Second-year defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe had a particularly rough debut with an overall PFF score of 34.5, but has improved to 61.6 in 2025. The Titans’ tackle duo has been serviceable at best, but has had tough moments. Right guard Kevin Zeitler is showing his age, and the dropoff has been climactic. Left guard Peter Skoronski is the most consistent lineman of the bunch.<\/p>\n

Skill Positions Battles<\/h4>\n

Matching the Chargers’ formidable secondary, the Titans counter with a young receiver room that presents a pair of rookies in Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Calvin Ridley looks to miss another game while dealing with a hamstring injury. Tight end Chig Okonkwo is also suffering from a foot injury, so his status is in question. If he can’t go, rookie Gunnar Helm is the next man up. All-rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still hasn’t practiced in two days, and Ja’Sir Taylor is his replacement. Former Titan Elijah Molden is thriving in Los Angeles alongside safety Derwin James. Cam Hart and Benjamin St. Juste are the outside starters when healthy. Tennessee and Los Angeles have emerging and young players matching wits.<\/p>\n

Uniforms<\/h3>\n

Titans<\/h6>\n
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\ud83d\udea8BRITCHES REPORT\ud83d\udea8: The @Titans<\/a> will be decked out in light blue jerseys, white britches and light blue socks in Sunday\u2019s game vs the @chargers<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/LXQKcM9SWT<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n