The San Diego Chargers return home to kick off the second half the season when they host the Tennessee Titans Sunday afternoon at 1:25pm Qualcomm Stadium. The Bolts will don their powder blue jerseys in honor of Alumni Weekend, with notable former Chargers Lance Alworth, LaDainian Tomlinson, Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Wes Chandler, Stan Humphries, Dan Fouts and more scheduled to be honored. Click here to purchase tickets.
A Look Back At Last Week
San Diego's two-game winning streak was snapped as they fell 27-19 on the road to the Broncos. Melvin Gordon rushed for 111 yards on the ground, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, but the offense was undone by a trio of interceptions including a pick-six. The defense performed admirably, forcing three turnovers of their own including a Casey Hayward pick-six. Unfortunately, they could not complete the comeback as their record dropped to 3-5 at the midpoint mark.
What to Watch For…
On Offense for the Chargers
Melvin Gordon, the NFL's reigning touchdown leader with 10 total TDs, looks to find the end zone after being shut out last week in Denver for only the second time all year. Gordon has carried the ball 161 times for 572 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per carry with eight rushing scores. He's also chipped in with 24 receptions for 219 yards and two TDs. Meanwhile, Philip Rivers leads the air attack as he's in the midst of another standout season. Number 17 has completed 182 of 292 attempts (62.3%) for 2,285 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions for a 93.8 passer rating. Travis Benjamin, Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry are all tied for the team lead with three TD catches each. Benjamin paces the squad with 38 receptions while Tyrell Williams has a team-high 530 receiving yards.
On Offense for the Titans
After a stellar rookie campaign a year ago, Marcus Mariota has taken his game to even greater heights in 2016. The QB is 157 of 248 (63.3%) for 1,874 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 95.1 rating. He's also carried the ball 32 times for 221 yards and another score. His top target is tight end Delanie Walker, who has 28 catches for 405 yards and three TDs. On the ground, Tennessee is led by one of the best duos in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. In his first season after being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, Murray's run the ball 160 times for 756 yards (4.7 ypc) and six touchdowns while adding 28 catches for 197 yards and two TDs through the air. He's eclipsed the 100-yard plateau on the ground in four of his last six games. Meanwhile, Derrick Henry has 53 carries for 221 yards (4.2 ypc) and one score.
On Defense for the Chargers
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram have emerged as one of the most dangerous bookend pass rushers in the game over the past month. Ingram added a strip-sack last week to bring his total to a team leading 5.0 sacks and 22 pressures while ranking second with nine QB hits. Meanwhile, Bosa paces the squad with 11 QB hits and ranks second with 4.0 sacks. In the secondary, Casey Hayward's four interceptions are already the most by a Charger since the 2011 season.
On Defense for the Titans
Avery Williamson has been a force at inside linebacker for Tennessee, leading the defense with 61 tackles. Outside linebackers Brian Orakpo (7.0 sacks) and Derrick Morgan (5.5) spearhead the pass rush while cornerbacks Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox each have two interceptions.
Series History
The Chargers lead the all-time series 26-17-1, and had won nine straight since the franchise moved to Tennessee before dropping the most recent contest, 20-17, on the road in 2013.
By the Numbers
The Chargers rank 12th in total offense (365.8 yards per game), seventh in passing (271.8 ypg), 24th in rushing (94.0 ypg) and third in points (28.1). The Titans ninth rank total offense (377.8 ypg), 26th in passing (225.5 ypg), third in rushing (152.3 ypg) and 17th in points (22.8)
Defensively, the Bolts rank 18th in total defense (361.1 ypg), 24th in passing (275.1 ypg), sixth in rushing (86.0 ypg) and 24th in points allowed (26.5). Tennessee ranks 10th in total defense (342.0 ypg), 20th in passing (259.5 ypg), fifth in rushing (82.5 ypg) and 18th in points allowed (22.9).
Milestones on the Horizon
Antonio Gates is four touchdowns shy of tying Tony Gonzalez (111) for most touchdowns in NFL history by a tight end.
Philip Rivers' next 300-yard game will be the 50th of his career.
Noteworthy vs. the Titans
On Oct. 31, 2010, Gates caught his 41st career touchdown pass from Philip Rivers in a game against Tennessee to set a new franchise record for touchdowns between a quarterback and tight end.
Travis Benjamin had a career game for Cleveland against Tennessee in 2015. He caught touchdown passes of 50 and 60 yards and returned a punt 78 yards for another score en route to being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Benjamin joined Tavon Austin as the only players in NFL history with a 75-plus yard punt return touchdown and two 50-plus yard touchdown catches in a single game. In 2014 for the Browns, Benjamin caught a game-winning six-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 remaining for a 29-28 win.
Playing for Indianapolis against Tennessee on Sept. 27, 2015, safety Dwight Lowery had two interceptions against the Titans, including a 69-yard touchdown return in the Colts 35-33 win. On Sept. 11, 2011, Lowery sealed a 16-14 win for Jacksonville over Tennessee with an interception with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Lowery has 16 career interceptions and four have come against Tennessee.
Connections
Chargers running back-kick returner Dexter McCluster spent the 2014-15 seasons with the Titans, appearing in 25 games with four starts.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt was the head coach in Tennessee in 2014 and for the first eight weeks of the 2015 season.
Tight Ends Coach John McNulty was the Titans quarterbacks coach from 2014-15.
Defensive Line Coach Giff Smith held the same post in Tennessee also from 2014-15.
Senior Offensive Assistant Fred Graves coached wide receivers in Tennessee from 2007-10.
Left tackle King Dunlap is a native of Nashville. His father, King Dunlap IV, played college football at Tennessee State. His mother, Robin, ran track at Tennessee State.
Linebacker Joshua Perry was born in Nashville.
Center Spencer Pulley hails from Memphis, Tennessee.
Titans outside linebacker Aaron Wallace is from San Diego. He attended Rancho Bernardo High School.
Center Brian Schwenke is from Oceanside and he attended Oceanside High.
Running Backs Coach Sylvester Croom held the same post for the Chargers from 1992-96.
Quarterbacks Coach Jason Michael was an assistant coach with the Chargers from 2011-13.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Mike Sullivan worked for the Bolts from 2009-12.
Know Your Opponent
Take a look at who the Bolts will face for Week 9's matchup at the Q.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 in Houston. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) catches a 7 yard touchdown pass on a third down play that ties the fourth quarter score at 20-20 during the 2016 NFL week 7 regular season football game against the against the against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. The Colts won the game 34-26. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Tennessee Titans Taylor Lewan (77) during the NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Tennessee Titans guard Quinton Spain (67) runs during a week 1 NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville. The Vikings won 25-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) looks over the defense of the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. The Colts won the game 34-26. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans offensive guard Josh Kline (64) sets to block against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. The Colts won the game 34-26. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) lines up against Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 in Houston. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) is chased by Detroit Lions linebacker Antwione Williams (52) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) rolls out to pass against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans fullback Jalston Fowler runs the ball before the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs for a short gain in the fourth quarter during the 2016 NFL week 7 regular season football game against the against the against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. The Colts won the game 34-26. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) catches before the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Fasano (80) pulls in the game winning touchdown during overtime of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. The Titans won 34-28. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Tennessee Titans offensive guard Sebastian Tretola (79) attempts to tackle Miami Dolphins defensive back Tony Lippett (36) after Lippett intercepted the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) makes a catch in front of Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct.2,2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel (16) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry scores a touchdown on a 6-yard run against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tight end Phillip Supernaw (89) of the Tennessee Titans runs upfield with a pass against the Atlanta Falcons August 14, 2015 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Falcons won 31 - 24 in a pre-season game. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans DaQuan Jones (90) during an NFL football game against Carolina Panthers , Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers won 27-10
(Tom DiPace via AP )
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Al Woods (96) runs in pursuit during a week 10 NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, November 15, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers defeated the Titans 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) runs in pursuit during a week 1 NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville. The Vikings won 25-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) for a loss of 7 yards to the Dolphins 26 yard line in the first quarter during the 2016 NFL week 5 regular season football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Titans won the game 30-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during a week 14 NFL football game against the New York Jets on December 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ.(Evan Pinkus via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Tennessee Titans linebacker Avery Williamson (54) and linebacker David Bass (51) during a week 10 NFL football game on Sunday, November 15, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers defeated the Titans 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) lines up to pass rush during an NFL preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on Saturday, August 27, 2016. The Titans defeated the Raiders 27-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Perrish Cox (20) makes an interception on a Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford pass with 28 seconds left in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Detroit. Tennessee won 16-15. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) is defended by Tennessee Titans strong safety Da'Norris Searcy (21) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans' Rashad Johnson, center, and Kevin Byard (31) try to control an onside kick by Cleveland Browns kicker Cody Parkey (3) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Browns recovered the ball on the play. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) intercepts a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Kevin Dodd #93 during an NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Oakland Raiders played at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Aug. 27, 2016. (Michael Zito/AP for Panini)
Tennessee Titans Sean Spence (55) during the NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts #10 and Tennessee Titans defensive back Brice McCain #33 during an NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Oakland Raiders played at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Aug. 27, 2016. (Michael Zito/AP for Panini)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Kevin Byard (31) runs in pass coverage during a week 1 NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville. The Vikings won 25-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans Ryan Succop (4) during the NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) punts in action against the Carolina Panthers Saturday August 20, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Marc Mariani (87) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 in Houston. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee Titans long snapper Beau Brinkley (48) prepares to snap the football during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on September 27, 2015. The Colts defeated the Titans 35-33. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Broadcast Information
CBS (KFMB, Channel 8 in San Diego and KCBS-TV, Channel 92 in Los Angeles and Orange County) – Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (analyst) and Scott Kaplan (reporter)
Rock 105.3 FM, XTRA Sports 1360 (San Diego) and AM 570 KLAC (Los Angeles & Orange County) – Josh Lewin (play-by-play), Nick Hardwick (analyst) and Mike Costa (reporter)
Spanish Radio –XHFG 107.3 (San Diego)– Jorge Villanueva (play-by-play) and Tony Alvarez (analyst)
All Chargers radio broadcasts are now being streamed live on the team's official website, www.chargers.com. XTRA Sports 1360 Broadcasts with Josh Lewin (play-by-play) and Nick Hardwick (analyst) will begin two hours before kickoff and continue for 90 minutes of postgame coverage.
Download the Chargers Official Mobile App for live game coverage, stats, and game day news.
