Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers must stop the Titans run game and force a rusty Will Levis into an uncomfortable spot to ensure they move to 6-3 on Sunday.
This week we were joined by Justin Melo of SB Nation’s Tennessee Titans community, Music City Miracle, to help preview this week’s game.
The Titans are 2-7 after beating the Patriots last week in overtime and are expected to get back starting quarterback Will Levis. The Chargers are 5-3 after dominating the Browns 27-10 in Week Nine thanks to their elite defense.
Now back at home, can the Chargers make it a hellish day for the young Levis inside SoFi Stadium? Will Justin Herbert continue his hot stretch from the past three games?
Let’s go ahead and dive in to see how Melo feels about this one.
1.) It looks like Will Levis is trending towards returning this week against the Chargers. After seeing Mason Rudolph perform in his place, should the team go back to Levis or would the fan base prefer to see Rudolph continue leading the team this season?
Mason Rudolph has outperformed Will Levis, but the Titans are still in exploration mode at QB. It makes sense to go back to Levis, because the most important aspect of this Titans season is to answer whether or not he’s a franchise quarterback. The bigger the sample size, the better.
2.) At the midway point of the 2024 season, how would you rate the job Brian Callahan has done so far with the Titans? Is this where you expected the team to be record-wise?
The 2-6 Titans are undeniably a disappointment. Offseason acquisitions like Calvin Ridley and L’Jarius Sneed perhaps led the fan base to have unrealistic expectations. Callahan’s offense has looked good from a design and concept standpoint, but poor QB play has led to poor execution. Elsewhere, special teams have been a disaster, and in-game decision making has been very questionable from an inexperienced head coach.
3.) If you were Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, how would you go about attacking this Titans defense? What matchups would you attempt to exploit?
The Titans surprisingly still have the no. 1 defense, so Greg Roman will have to get creative. The team recently traded LB Ernest Jones, and could struggle to defend short crossers in the middle of field. Forcing the Titans’ LBs to defend in coverage could present advantageous matchups.
4.) Switching sides of the ball now. If you were Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, how would you go about stopping this Titans offense? Which players would you find yourself focusing on the most?
Slowing down Tony Pollard and forcing a rusty Levis to win with his arm will be the Chargers’ defensive game plan. Pollard has been outstanding, and is fresh off a 128-yard rushing performance in an OT win over the Patriots. He’s easily been the best player on Tennessee’s offense.
**5.) Go ahead and top this all off a short summary of how you see this game shaking...
