NFL Football: Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans

By BetOnline October 17, 2019

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The Tennessee Titans have officially pulled the plug on Marcus Mariota and inserted quarterback Ryan Tannehill into the starting lineup. The Titans passing game looked like it had some life to it when the Titans made the switch last week. Can they do enough on offense and rely on their good defense to get back on track versus the banged-up Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday?

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
NFL ODDS: TITANS -2
NFL TOTAL: 40

WHY THE CHARGERS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Chargers’ best argument for covering the spread in this game is how bad the Titans’ offense has been in recent weeks. Tennessee has scored more than 17 points in a game only once since Week 1 and have scored seven points or fewer in three of their last four games. Sure, a lot can be pinned on Mariota but switch to Tannehill – the Miami Dolphins cast-off – isn’t going to morph this team into an offensive juggernaut.

For the Chargers to get the win here, they need to get their ground game going. They’ve been putting the games on Philip Rivers’ shoulder and he’s doing what he can, but the supporting cast has to show up. That means Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler providing help out of the backfield – either as rushers or receivers. The Titans defense is decent but they’ve given up over 100 rushing yards in back-to-back weeks. If the Chargers can find some running room, the entire complexion of this offense and team will change.

WHY THE TITANS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

Tannehill should be an upgrade. Mariota is completing just 15.7 passes per game, which is nothing short of pathetic. Tannehill came in last Sunday and completed 13-of-16 passes in less than a full game. The Titans have an excellent defense, allowing just 15.5 points per game (fifth-best in the NFL), and a decent running game. Tannehill just has to come in, offer the threat of a pass and let the other parts do their job.

The Chargers’ offense has melted down the past two weeks, scoring just six offensive points two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos and then just three points in the first 52 minutes of the game last Sunday. They trailed 24-3 with eight minutes left before scoring two meaningless touchdowns in garbage time, losing 24-17.

Remember, this is a team that’s a few Adam Vinatieri field goal misses (in Week 1) away from being a one-win squad. That one win came against Miami. They have a laundry list of injuries on both sides of the ball and they’re simply not the same team that won 12 games last season. This should really be a layup for the Titans – as long as Tannehill is an effective passer.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE TOTAL

The Chargers offenses has been highly ineffective of late and there’s little reason to see them moving the ball in this spot. They’re ranked 27th in rushing offense, so if they’re planning to go on the road and try to win without a running game, it’s not going to work. Look for the Titans to earn a comfortable win but in a low-scoring game.