The Ryan Tannehill era in Tennessee is slowly crumbling. Titans’ fans should appreciate what he did for the franchise. Tannehill helped guide Tennessee to the playoffs during the 2019-21 season. While the Titans could never break through to the Super Bowl, Tennessee was a legitimate contender.
The Titans are facing a tough spot with Tannehill’s Week 1 performance against New Orleans not living up to the standard for a professional quarterback. Tennessee lost a sluggish game where neither team put up many points. The Titans have many questions surrounding them on offense.
The opening week was also challenging for the Titan’s upcoming opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers scored 34 points but couldn’t get past the Miami Dolphins, who have a potent offense. The Chargers will be eager to try and avoid falling to 0-2 as well.
Los Angeles Chargers Have Edge in All-Time Series
After a three-year break in the series, Los Angeles scored a 17-14 win over Tennessee at home last season. The Chargers hold a 29-18-1 lead in the all-time series. Los Angeles is a 3-point road favorite for the 1 p.m. Sunday matchup ready to take place at Nissan Stadium.
The meeting last season was tense throughout. The game was tied at 7 at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Tennessee tied the game with 48 seconds remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by Tannehill. However, the Titans’ offense couldn’t slow down Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert took over on Los Angeles’ own 23-yard line and drove the ball quickly to the Tennessee 20. Cameron Dicker then made a game-winning 43-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining in the game.
Los Angeles Chargers Has Found Nearly Perfect Balance
The Los Angeles Chargers will have a lot of issues with how their defense played to open the season. There won’t be too many holes that people can poke into Los Angeles’ offense. The Chargers found a near-perfect balance during a 36-34 loss to Miami last week.
Los Angeles finished with 200 passing yards, while the Chargers added 233 yards on the ground. Most impressive on the ground was how Los Angeles produced multiple options. Austin Ekeler led the team by rushing for 117 yards on 16 carries and scoring a touchdown. Backup Josh Kelly scored a touchdown and added 91 yards on 16 carries.
Herbert finished with 229 passing yards and threw a touchdown. Herbert did get sacked three times and completed 23 of his 33 passes. Keenan Allen led the Chargers with 76 receiving yards on six catches. Ekeler was also able to contribute to the passing game by catching four passes for 47 yards.
What to Do With Tannehill?
The former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins had a miserable season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Tannehill threw three interceptions during the Titans’ 16-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints. One major problem for the Titans is they don’t have a proven veteran option to turn to if Tannehill, who was 16-of-34 for 198 yards, continues to falter. The Titans have two young quarterbacks — Malik Willis and Will Levis — behind Tannehill, who don’t have much NFL experience. Willis had a rough debut in the NFL last season, as he appeared in eight games and only completed 50 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions.
Levis was floated as the No. 1 overall pick but slid down into the second round. He is seen as someone who has the size to play quarterback but doesn’t have the sharpest passing ability.
Ekeler’s Status Remains Uncertain for Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler’s big day last Sunday came with one unfortunate sidenote. He suffered an ankle injury that leaves his status for this week uncertain. Ekeler rushed for over 100 yards during the team’s Week 1 win. The Los Angeles Chargers signed running back Jaret Patterson from the practice squad on Wednesday.
Titans Two Top Receivers on the Mend
Helping out Tannehill requires having targets for him to throw to. Tennessee is hoping for good news on the injury front as Week 2 quickly approaches. Both DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks missed practice on Wednesday
Hopkins was injured on Tennessee’s final offensive play against New Orleans last week. He was Tannehill’s top target, catching seven passes for 65 yards. Burks was out on Wednesday due to personal reasons. Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel expected Burks back on Thursday. Burks caught two passes for 18 yards against the Saints.
Jackson Ready to Show He’s Worth the Contract
J.C. Jackson signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in the offseason to leap from New England to Los Angeles and play cornerback. After 10 months off following a knee injury, Jackson returned to the field against Miami. The returns were difficult for the Chargers.
Jackson played 44 snaps on defense and was targeted eight times, allowing three receptions. Jackson finished with two pass breakups and grabbed an interception. The problem for Jackson was the completions he did allow caused the Los Angeles Chargers pain on the scoreboard. Miami produced 98 yards on the three receptions that it beat Jackson on.
The longest of which was a 35-yard touchdown catch by Tyreek Hill. Jackson also took a 30-yard pass interference penalty.
Titans Try to Free King Henry
Despite Tannehill’s struggles, Tennessee was still able to open up some big holes for veteran running back Derrick Henry. While Henry didn’t have any super long runs, he was consistent. Henry finished with 63 rushing yards on 15 carries. Henry did provide a spark in the passing game.
Henry caught two passes for 56 yards. Trying to get the most out of Henry, 29, will be imperative. Tennessee may be trying not to burn him out. Henry led the league by carrying the ball over 300 times in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Henry has topped 1,000 yards rushing in four of the past five seasons.
