The Chargers are 6-3 after a 27-20 road win over the Titans in Nashville.

Here are five takeaways from Week 9.

1. Gutsy road win

A win is a win in the NFL.

Even if the Chargers Week 9 victory wasn't the prettiest you'll see.

But what matter is that the Chargers picked up their sixth win as they moved past the halfway point of the 2025 season.

"Dug deep and found a way. Just a gritty, great win," said Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.

Elijah Molden added: "It doesn't matter how you score the points. Whoever has the most at the end of the game, wins. But it was a weird game."

Credit the Chargers defense, which only allowed six points and limited the Titans to just 206 yards of offense.

The Titans had nine possessions, seven of which lasted six plays or fewer as the Bolts put together a second consecutive solid effort on defense.

But this one likely won't make many highlight reels as Justin Herbert threw a pick 6 on the Bolts second offensive play of the game. The Chargers later gave up a 67-yard punt return for a score.

"We did a good job of weathering the storm … there's going to be a lot of goof learning from it," Herbert said.

The Chargers pulled to 6-3 and remain in second place in the AFC West after the Broncos rallied for a win Sunday and are now 7-2.

Now, as the Bolts get ready for a primetime game against the Steelers at home in Week 10, they'll look to build off an inconsistent win in Week 9.

"That victory was hard fought. It took a lot of grit," Zion Johnson said. "Things didn't really go our way early — a lot of mistakes, negative plays.

"But we came out in the second half more locked in … we did what we set out to do and got the victory," Johnson added.

2. Alt leaves with injury

The Chargers offensive line took a hit Sunday afternoon.

Star left tackle Joe Alt, who had just returned from an ankle injury, suffered another one in Sunday's win over Tennessee.

Alt was injured late in the second quarter and was listed as questionable to return but missed the rest of the game.

Harbaugh said postgame that he did not have an update on Alt but noted that he feels for the second-year player.

Alt's injury came after starting right tackle Bobby Hart left the game with groin and ankle injuries.

Trey Pipkins III came in at right tackle for Hart while Jamaree Salyer played the rest of the game in Alt's place at left tackle.

"They both are very good players and you never want to see that happen to anybody," Pipkins said. "All we could do was play our best for them and honor them that way."

Johnson said: "A special shout out to those guys who had to come in. That's really tough when you end up [coming in] in the middle of a game."

The Chargers were already without starting right guard Mekhi Becton, who was inactive due to a knee inury. Foster Sarell started at right guard in Becton's absence.

Salyer and Johnson formed a left side that was reminiscent of 2022 when Salyer played left tackle in place of an injured Rashawn Slater.

"Even though it had been awhile since we played together, there is some chemistry there. I think that echoes for the rest of our O-line as well."

Harbaugh was asked how the Chargers will move forward if Alt or Hart has to miss extended time.

"Just dig deep. Keep digging deep. Guys step up and that's what you do," Harbaugh said. "Sometimes the team finds itself in a situation where its' back is against the wall. That's when you find out who you really are and that's what our guys did today."

3. Key goal line stand

The turning point in Sunday's game was clear.

Leading by three points just past the midway point of the third quarter, the Chargers defense was backed up to their own 1-yard line.

The third-down run that ensued? Stuffed by Khalil Mack.

The fourth-down run that followed? Denied by Molden with an assist from Denzel Perryman.

Molden said he was simply freed up on the play to jump in and stop Tony Pollard.

"Our linemen are [crushing it] right now," Molden said. "With K-Mack and now we have [Odafe] Oweh, too, we just have so much depth on the edge. That's making it easier for us on the back end."

Harbaugh said: "That was huge. Great credit to all of our players but Elijah Molden made a heck of a play. Just stepping in, stepping up … making the play when it had to be made."

The Chargers promptly took the ball and marched 99 yards for a touchdown, turning a 20-17 game into 27-17.

It was a possible 14-point swing that went the Chargers way and played a big role in Sunday's win.

"Then we got seven points off it and that ended up being the difference in the game," Harbaugh said.

Herbert added: "I thought that was a huge moment for us. I think the defense did such a great job of getting that stop and giving us a shot. Going 99 [yards] is really tough. And I think it's a huge testament to the offensive line getting that push and being able to move the ball, especially backed up like that. The guys continue to make plays, and I thought that was a pivotal moment for us."

4. Herbert leads the charge

As usual, Harbaugh raved about Herbert's play Sunday.

"Justin Herbert, by now, I think there's no other way that he can impress," Harbaugh said. "But then every time I think that, he finds a way to find another rung on the ladder. He's that guy, that competitor."

Herbert threw for 250 yards and two scores in Nashville and added 57 yards on the ground.

But the quarterback — listed at 6-foot-6 and 236 pounds — showed some muscle as he converted three times on quarterback sneaks on third-and-1 situations in the fourth quarter.

First, Herbert powered ahead inside the 5-yard line, which led to his 1-yard touchdown run on the next play.

Herbert's next two conversions came on the Chargers final offensive drive that allowed them to ice the clock and end the game in victory formation.

"It's awesome. A lot of the credit goes to Justin," Johnson said. "Not every team has a quarterback that is willing to get down and dirty like that. Justin is gritty. And he's so big, all we have to do is give him a little push and he's going to go get the rest."

Pipkins added: "We're just throwing our bodies in there. And then Justin is 6-6 and however much he weighs. He's strong and has the ability to push through those piles. All of that combined make it an effective play."

Harbaugh lauded the "physical nature" of Herbert's tough runs.

And, on a day where the Chargers weren't at their best, they found a way to persevere and fly home with a win.

"Love our fourth-quarter personality," Harbaugh said.

5. Ups and downs on special teams

The Chargers had an uneven day on special teams, a performance that was spotlighted by the 67-yard punt return for a score that broke a 7-7 tie late in the first quarter.

The play featured a handful of missed tackles plus plenty of space for the Titans blockers to set up the return.

But on the flip side, Cameron Dicker was clutch again for the Bolts with a pair of field goals and three extra points to tally a crucial nine points.

Rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith also fielded a pair of kickoff returns, including a 30 yarder.

"Made some mistakes early but our guys never quit, never buckled," Harbaugh said.