Chargers Titans Week 10 Game Preview - Shijiazhuang Swan Lake Co.,Ltd

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The Chargers return to SoFi Stadium on Sunday to kick off a three-game homestand.

Up first? A Week 10 date with the 2-6 Titans. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. (PT).

The Bolts are 7.5-point favorites and the over/under for Sunday's game is 38.5 points.

Here are five final thoughts ahead of Week 10:

1. The 3rd quarter begins

Halftime is officially over for the Bolts.

If we look at the season in four-game chunks, the Chargers begin the third quarter of their season Sunday against the Titans.

The Bolts went 2-2 in the first quarter and 3-1 in the second quarter as they have positioned themselves well for a second-half playoff run.

But Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and his team know there is still plenty of work to be done.

"It's a one-week league … but also there's quarters of the seasons, too," Harbaugh said. "First four, second four, third quarter, fourth quarter."

"We're starting the third quarter and the phase line is the Tennessee Titans," Harbaugh continued.

He later added: "The middle of the season is always critical that way. Bill Belichick always talked about the Middle Eight of a football game. There's the Middle Eight in a season, too. You could break it down that way."

The Bolts recent 3-1 stretch has put the Chargers firmly in an AFC Wild Card spot at this point of the season.

More, however, is needed.

According to data provided by the NFL, teams that start 6-3 since 1990 have a 73.1 percent chance to make the playoffs. Teams that start 5-4 have 47.3-percent playoff odds.

For what it's worth, the Bolts current playoff odds are somewhere between 78 and 88 percent depending on which model you look at.

One big key that could help the Bolts get a victory? Winning the turnover battle.

The Chargers rank fourth in total turnover margin at plus-9 while the Titans are 31st overall at minus-11.

A win Sunday would give the Chargers six of them on the season and surpass the team's win total from a year ago.

And also inch Harbaugh's squad close to a postseason berth.

"We definitely want to try and get to 4-0 every quarter," Derwin James, Jr. said. "But in order to get to 4-0, you have to win the first one. This is an important one for us. AFC game, we've got to be ready."

Elijah Molden added: "This is when you have to lock in. We're at the midway point. Teams either rise or they fall off."

Zion Johnson said: "We want to play our best football in November, December, that part of the season."

2. Former Titans helping the Bolts

Dozens of players have played key roles in helping the Bolts have a successful season to date.

That includes a quartet of players, all of whom played for the Titans last season, who have played pivotal roles on their new team.

Cornerback Kristian Fulton joined the Bolts in free agency and was set to be the only former Titan from a year ago in powder blue.

But Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz then added defensive lineman Teair Tart at the end of camp, traded for Molden and signed running back Hassan Haskins just before the season opener.

Each of those players have raved about being here with the Bolts.

"I'll definitely say this has been one of the most exciting times [of my career] other than getting drafted," Fulton said. "Just getting a fresh start and being somewhere where they appreciate everyone in the locker room. They give us a lot of resources that allow us to be our best selves."

Molden added: "I love it here. I want to be here for a while. It's a good group top to bottom, coaching staff included, front office included. I have a lot of fun here. Just so many positives, so I been enjoying my time."

Tart said: "I definitely feel appreciated, you know? I feel wanted here. That definitely adds a bit of motivation just to keep going out there and keep performing, especially for the guys in the room. It's just been a blessing, honestly."

Fulton, Molden and Tart have each been key pieces to a resurgent Chargers defense this season.

Haskins has been a short-yardage back on offense and also made a key special teams play in Week 8 when he swiped the ball out of the end zone to prevent a touchdown on a botched snap.

All of the players said they didn't necessarily feel an extra motivation going against the Titans.

Instead, they're focused on finding a way to help their current team keep the good vibes going.

"Just whenever we're breaking them down, I know a lot about them, on a personal level too," Molden said. "Right now, I'm preparing just like any other week. We'll see. I'm here now, I'm glad I'm here. There's definitely people on that side that I have love for, I was with them for a lot of years."

Tart added: "I don't see any extra motivation. It's just another team on the schedule. I just go approach it like every other game and pay attention to the detail and just go from there."

Haskins said: "It's going to be an exciting game, especially going against my old squad. I know a lot of the players. I think it's going to be a fun, competitive game."

3. Offense aiming for consistency

The Bolts offense has featured plenty of good, and some bad, halfway through the season.

The positives?

The Chargers are among the NFL's best teams at not turning the ball over.

Entering Sunday, the Bolts have the NFL's lowest turnover rate at just 3.3 percent. And the Chargers interception rate of 1.1 percent is also the league's best mark.

"Sacks don't get you beat, turnovers get you beat," Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman said this week. "That's way more important than a sack. Sacks stop drives, turnovers stop games."

Roman and others also acknowledged there is room for overall improvement within the offense.

The Chargers have seen an uptick of explosive plays (10-plus yard runs and 15-plus yard passes) in recent weeks.

Overall, however, the Bolts are still in the bottom quarter of the league with 66 such total plays.

And there's been a level of inconsistency, too, as the Bolts 5.5 plays per drive ranks 30th in the league.

The Bolts are scoring points on 36.3 percent of their offensive drives, which ranks 18th, but they have also punted on 46.2 percent of their drives, which is the third-highest figure.

"We're always trying to get better," Justin Herbert said. "That's the name of the game and the name of the NFL. They are always things we can clean up and get better at."

Herbert later added: "There are bits and pieces of where we're playing good football, good offensive football," Herbert said. "It's just about being consistent and doing that all the time."

Roman said this week that eliminating constant three-and-outs is a main priority this week.

But he also stressed that he wants the Bolts offensive identity to be like a "chameleon" in the sense that it evolves and changes on a week-to-week basis.

"We just have to continue to improve as this program build," Roman said. "As you keep growing and improving, I think you're going to see that as time goes on.

"In the meantime, our biggest task really in focus is to focus on the next opponent," Roman continued.

He later added: "What's your identity? Trying to win the next game."

Check out the best photos from the second practice of Week 10 on Thursday at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

4. Salyer ready at right guard

The Chargers might have to shuffle their starting offensive line combination against the Titans.

Right guard Trey Pipkins III was limited in Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury but did not practice Thursday or Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Enter Jamaree Salyer, who is more than ready to step in at right guard if needed. Salyer has played 64 snaps at right guard already this season while also playing 57 at left tackle.

He said this week that is versatility is something he prides himself on.

"Essentially, that's how I got started as a player in this league so that's my role at this point in time," Salyer said. "I'm just excited for my opportunity if it presents itself."

He later added: "It's just an understanding of the playbook, really. Even in college, I was kind of cross-trained at guard and tackle, I played center at one point. They did a great job in college of playing me at different positions."

Salyer's teammates and coaches have faith he'll be able to help the interior of the Chargers offensive line.

"Jamaree has done a great job of really just being ready to compete no matter what position it is, no matter what the situation is," Bradley Bozeman said. "We know we have a true competitor in him but also our whole entire offensive line."

5. Watch out for Simmons

Speaking of the trenches, the Bolts will have their hands full Sunday with Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.

Among defensive linemen who have played 300 snaps this season, Simmons ranks seventh with an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 76.6.

Simmons has also posted two previous seasons of at least an 81.0 total grade.

"He's a great player. Very powerful, very exciting player," Salyer said. "He's good at knowing what he's trying to get done and then doing it, but doing it within their scheme. A very impressive player on film."

Bozeman added: "He's one of the elite for sure. He's a great football player, great D-lineman. The guy, he brings a lot of energy, a lot of juice. He can kind of do it all. Definitely a challenge for sure."

Roman added: "One of the best D-lineman in the league."

Simmons' presence in the middle of the Titans defense has helped Tennessee lead the league in yards allowed per game (269.1) so far this season.

That is Tennessee's best mark since the team became the Titans in 1999.

Week 10 date1.The 3rd quarter begins2. Former Titans helping the Bolts3. Offense aiming for consistency4. Salyer ready at right guard5. Watch out for Simmons