The Los Angeles Chargers have gotten off to a slow start to the season currently sitting with a 2-4 record but they have a favorable matchup on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans and it would be a shock if they didn't pick up a win. They are currently slight underdogs but Vegas has the wrong team favored. Let's break down the top four reasons the Chargers will pick up their third win of the season on Sunday.
4. Domination of Titans over the years
They say past games have no effect on current teams, but this should not be something that is overlooked. Dating back to 1992 the Chargers have won 11 of the 12 matchups between the two teams. The Titans also haven't had a win at home this season so there isn't much confidence in a home field advantage.
3. Melvin Gordon (Chargers rushing attack)
Melvin Gordon has played in two games this season and it has been rough sledding getting a groove on the ground. He has carried the ball 2o times for only 49 yards which is an average of only 2.9 yards per game.
The Chargers know that establishing the run early in this game is going to be key for a win. Gordon said earlier this week that a bigger workload will help jump start his season and the coaching staff was listening.
Gordon should be the main running back in this game with Austin Ekeler being more involved in the passing game. The Titans are giving up 104.5 yards per game on the ground which is 15th in the league. All signs are pointing towards Gordon having a big game.
2. Titans kicking game
The Titans released Cairo Santos after a slow start to the season to sign former Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey. The last time Parkey kicked a field goal in a meaningful game was in the playoffs and it was a game-winning attempt.
He pulled off the double doink and was the butt of many jokes this past offseason. There has to be many questions about where his head is at even though he is on a new team.
If he needs to make a kick in a pivotal moment, flashbacks could happen which might lead to another terrible miss.
1. Ryan Tannehill
The Titans are running out Ryan Tannehill to start at quarterback and that is a big advantage to the Chargers. The hope is that he can give a boost to an offense that didn't have a ton of success with Marcus Mariota under center, but people seem to forget what exactly Tannehill offers.
He is a game manager at best, and at worst, he is a turnover machine. In 88 career games, he has 76 interceptions — which should play right into the Chargers' hands. They only have five interceptions this year but should be able to add a couple more to their total.
If Tannehill struggles early in this game, it wouldn't be shocking to see the team put Mariota back in at quarterback. Mariota has proven to have problems jump-starting the offense, and that will be an even bigger boost to the Chargers' defense.
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