Will Levis returned to the field after giving way to Mason Rudolph due to a shoulder injury. But the young quarterback's convalescence was unfortunately not enough for him. Solid at the start of the game, he was quickly dominated by the Chargers defense.
On the other side, Justin Herbert and his team started slowly but were always able to stay in the lead to achieve a smooth victory. This meeting was also an opportunity to see the two best defenses in the league face each other. And, finally, that of the Titans will have rather failed in its task by letting its opponents score a total of 27 points.
The Jim Harbaugh effect seems real in Los Angeles and we can already almost see a place in the playoffs for his protégés. Conversely, the offense is still the Titans' major flaw and Brian Callahan is still struggling to find the solution. He risks quickly finding himself in an ejection seat.
Will Levis starts well
Led by a surgical Justin Herbert (14/18, 164 yards, 1 TD, 9 races, 32 yards, 1 TD), the Chargers failed two short yards from the end zone on their first drive. Too bad, but Cameron Dicker still secured the field goal and the first three points of the game. Will Levis (18/23, 175 yards, 2 TDs, 5 carries, 41 yards), for his return as a starter, also seems sharp at the start of the meeting. After a few actions, he throws a 42-yard bomb into the arms of Calvin Ridley (5 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TDs) for the first touchdown of the game.
The tusks will then begin to show muscles. Both teams stick to an exchange of punts. And then Los Angeles continues with a new 37-yard field goal to get back to within one point of the visitors in the second quarter. Tennessee is close to responding but Nick Folk misses the field goal from 49 yards.
Justin Herbert takes the opportunity to shift and swings directly at Josh Palmer to gain 36 yards in one go. The quarterback is at the conclusion a few minutes later on a short 4-yard run. The Chargers took the lead again just before the break and returned to the locker room with a score of 13 to 7.
Justin Herbert steps on the accelerator
The third quarter begins and this time it's up to Will Levis to start the hostilities. The young quarterback makes the Chargers defense go crazy with his runs but ultimately has to settle for a field goal. No quarter then for the Chargers who have the opportunity to give themselves some breathing room on this new drive. Derius Davis first places his team in a very good position on the return of engagement following a big stride of 56 yards. Easy in their passes, the Chargers quickly concluded with a touchdown signed Quentin Johnston, on a 16-yard pass from Justin Herbert.
Will Levis, on the other hand, is floundering. He is sacked twice in a few minutes by Tuli Tuipulotu then Joey Bossa and the Titans have to give possession back. And even against one of the best defenses in the league, Jim Harbaugh's men are progressing with strength. This time, Hassan Haskins jumped above his offensive line to get six additional points. The bill is steep for Tennessee and the outcome of the match is in less and less doubt.
Completely overwhelmed by the Chargers' defense, Brian Callahan's men must once again clear the ball and, with it, their last hopes of getting back into the game. There are then five minutes left before the end of the match and Los Angeles melts the clock as much as possible by chaining the races. Tennessee finally saved the honor less than a minute from the end with another touchdown from Calvin Ridley. The match ended with a score of 27 to 17 for the locals.
