Titans @ Chargers Game Preview and Pick: Target the Total

The Tennessee Titans are on a three-game losing streak and will now head to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. We’ll preview the game before going over why I’ll be targeting the point total.

Game Preview

I don’t think many people know what to make of the (7-6) Tennessee Titans. Every team has ups and downs throughout a season, but this recent three-game stretch has to be concerning if you're a Titans supporter.

The Titans' defense has allowed a combined 71 points over the last two weeks, including a 36-22 loss to a divisional opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tennessee’s passing defense is now 31st in the league in passing yards allowed per game and has been targeted more than any other pass defense in the league.

Offensively the Titans have still been able to find success on the ground with Derrick Henry. In last week's loss, Henry rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown bringing his season total to 1,199 yards and 11 touchdowns. The problem for the offense has been finding success away from Henry, and through the air, as on the season, the Titans rank 29th in the league in total yards per game.

The Titans' opponent this weekend, the Los Angeles Chargers, have had no problem finding success through the air all season. The Chargers are second in the league in passing attempts per game with 43.3 and second in the league in average passing yards per game.

Justin Herbert and his 21 touchdown passes have slightly masked the fact that the Chargers are 31st in the league in rushing yards per game and 30th in yards per carry. The running game has been a weakness for both the Chargers' offense and defense this season, with Los Angeles allowing 147 rushing yards per game which is 28th in the league.

Pick for the Game

I mentioned it earlier, but my best bet for this game is the Over of 46.5. Both teams' biggest strength on offense happens to be the other team's biggest weakness on defense in this one.

The Titans are fifth in the NFL in rush play percentage, and the Chargers' defense allows a league-high 5.4 yards per carry this season. Derrick Henry should be able to continue his momentum from last week's performance into this weekend. Los Angeles is tied for the fifth most rushing touchdowns allowed this season, so Henry could find the end zone multiple times.

On defense, Tennessee has allowed the second most passing touchdowns to wide receivers in the league this season with 18. All Brandon Staley and the Chargers want to do is move the ball through the air, so this is an excellent match-up for Justin Herbert and this offense. With the Titans allowing the sixth most yards after the catch this season, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer should be able to expose the Titans secondary much like the Jaguars did last weekend.

I’m expecting a high-scoring game in Los Angeles this weekend with how these teams match up.

Recap

• Over 46.5