With week one of the NFL season in the books, it is now time to start looking ahead to week two. One matchup that fans are looking forward to is the Los Angeles Chargers, traveling to Tennessee to take on the Titans. After both teams took crushing losses in week one, the Chargers and Titans will square off to see who will get their first win of the season (unless of the unlikelihood of a tie). Here are some highlights going into this week two matchup.
Running Back’s Galore?
Chargers
The Bolts surprised everyone in their week 1 matchup against Miami with their strong rushing attack, a duo consisting of Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley. Both rushers amounted to 208 rushing yards combined, to go along with a pair of touchdowns. The starter, Austin Ekeler, has been nothing short of spectacular for the Chargers, leading the NFL in touchdowns last season. However, many of those came from passes by star quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ main strength last season. With the strong start to the rushing offense for Los Angeles, we may see it again in week two. However, Kelley may be taking most of the snaps, as Ekeler’s status for week two is uncertain after an ankle injury.
Titans
Undoubtedly, the Tennessee Titans have one of the best running backs in the game, Derrick Henry. Henry, in 2022, rushed for over 1,500 yards, which ranked him second in the NFL in that category. However, he struggled in week one against the Saints, with just 63 yards on the ground, and zero touchdowns. But if we’ve learned anything about Derrick Henry, it’s that he will find his groove eventually, and he has a great opportunity to do so against the Chargers, who have one of the worst run defenses in the league.
Proficient Receivers
Chargers
Los Angeles has one of the most underrated receiving corps in the entire NFL. With guys like Mike Williams, who can catch the 50/50 ball most of the time, a zesty route runner in Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston, a rookie who will bring versatility to the passing game, the Chargers are stacked to the teeth when it comes to receivers. With Justin Herbert under center, expect the passing game to be a key factor for the Chargers in this one.
Titans
With the offseason signing of receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Titans will look to get him going against this Chargers’ secondary. Over the years, Tennessee has not been characterized by a great passing game. However, with the signing of Hopkins, they are trying to change that narrative. Hopkins has been one of the league’s top receivers throughout his career, especially when it comes to spectacular catches. The big question mark on the passing game is quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw for only 198 yards in the game against the Saints. Can he turn things around in week two?
Prediction
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Los Angeles Chargers (-3) are favored slightly to take down the Tennessee Titans, with a 46.5-point total. If the Chargers offense can get the ground game going like they did last week versus the Miami Dolphins, along with establishing the passing game early on, they should have no problem walking out of Tennessee with a win. As for the Titans, they will look to beat the odds, as they look to gain some momentum in their division, the AFC South.