The Titans were able to hang around the Chargers in the first half with a defensive and special teams touchdown.
But Los Angeles used a goal-line stand and a dominant, 15-play, 99-yard drive to take control of the matchup in the second half — leading to a 27-17 victory.
After largely looking listless on offense in the first half, the Titans had a chance to take a 24-20 lead over the Chargers with their first drive of the second half. With third- and fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, running back Tony Pollard was stuffed for no gain on both plays, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Starting with the ball from that spot, the Chargers immediately got out from under the shadow of their own goal post with a 14-yard pass from Justin Herbert to tight end Oronde Gadsden. That got the offense rolling, and eventually Herbert scrambled in for a 1-yard touchdown to put Los Angeles up 27-17 — capping a long drive that took 9:03 off the clock.
Though the Titans did get another field goal from Joey Slye, that long drive largely took the Tennessee out of the game. Following Slye’s field goal, the Chargers were able to run out the clock with a successful four-minute drive.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert tossed a pick-six to end his team’s opening drive, but recovered well to finish the contest 19-of-29 for 250 yards with two touchdowns. He also led the team with 57 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. He hit Scott Matlock for a 2-yard TD in the first quarter and then connected with Quentin Johnston for a 19-yard TD midway through the second quarter.
Titans linebacker Cody Barton returned Herbert’s interception 24 yards for a touchdown and Chimere Dike returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. But Tennessee could not reach the end zone on offense.
Cam Ward ended the contest 13-of-21 for 145 yards. Tony Pollard led with 56 yards on 10 carries.
Tennessee had just 10 first downs, finishing with only 206 yards and 1-of-9 on third down. Los Angeles ended the game with 21 first downs, 343 yards, and was 7-of-13 on third down.
Now at 6-3, the Chargers will host the Steelers for a big AFC matchup next Sunday night on NBC.
The 1-8 Titans will have a bye in Week 10 before hosting the Texans in Week 11.
Titans Clips
It’s currently doubtful that the Titans will trade veteran defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before Tuesday’s deadline. It’s less doubtful that they will trade veteran receiver Calvin Ridley.
Per a league source, the Titans are trying to do a deal for Ridley.
Ridley, who last played in Week 6 due to a hamstring injury, is under contact through 2027. His four-year, $92 million free-agent contract predated the arrival of G.M. Mike Borgonzi.
A first-round pick of the Falcons in 2018, Ridley had 1,016 receiving yards in 2023 with Jacksonville. Last year in Tennessee, Ridley had 1,017 receiving yards. This year, Ridley has had 290 receiving yards in six games.
A trade would trigger a cap charge of $11.02 million in 2026. He’s due to make $20.24 million next year, and $20.74 million in 2027.
The Titans have used defense and special teams scores to hang with the Chargers in the first half, but Los Angeles still has a 20-17 lead at halftime.
Justin Herbert threw a pick-six to end Los Angeles’ first possession and Chimere Dike returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown, giving the Titans two key touchdowns. But Tennessee’s offense has largely been listless, as four of the team’s first-half possessions ended in a punt. Joey Slye hit a 49-yard field goal to give Tennessee its only other points in the half.
On the other side, Los Angeles has had injuries along their offensive line — with left tackle Joe Alt getting carted off the field with an ankle injury in the second quarter. But after Herbert’s pick-six, the team was able to score on four of its remaining six first-half possessions.
Herbert tossed a 2-yard touchdown to Scott Matlock midway through the first quarter and a 19-yard TD to Quentin Johnston midway through the second period.
Cameron Dicker connected on field goals of 17 and 52 yards in the second quarter to give the Chargers 20 points.
Herbert ended the first half 13-of-20 for 185 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. Ladd McConkey leads with four catches for 56 yards.
Cam Ward is just 4-of-11 for 53 yards. Tony Pollard has three carries for 35 yards, while Tyjae Spears has five carries for 22 yards plus two catches for 28 yards.
The Chargers will receive the second-half kickoff.
The injury woes continue for the Chargers’ offensive line.
Left tackle Joe Alt was carted off the field midway through the second quarter of Los Angeles’ matchup with Tennessee.
Alt is officially questionable to return with an ankle injury.
Alt had his right leg rolled up on by a defender. Jamaree Salyer came in to replace him at left tackle.
This was the second time Alt has been carted during a game this season. He missed time earlier in 2025 with a right high ankle sprain.
Los Angeles previously had right tackle Bobby Hart come off the field late in the first quarter and is questionable to return with a groin injury. Trey Pipkins came in to replace him.
The Chargers and Titans are tied at 17-17 late in the second quarter.
When the Titans ruled out receiver Calvin Ridley and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on Friday, some wondered whether they were being kept out of action in advance of a potential trade at the deadline.
A source with knowledge of the situation said it’s doubtful that Simmons will be moved.
A first-round pick of the Titans in 2019, Simmons is under contact through 2027. Trading him would trigger a cap charge of $10 million in 2026.
Simmons, who missed last week and this week with a hamstring injury, is due to make $20 million next season. None of it is guaranteed.
Ridley also has a hamstring injury. He hasn’t played since Week 6. He also is signed through 2027. A trade would spark a cap charge of $11.02 million in 2026.
The Chargers have taken the lead over the Titans.
Quarterback Justin Herbert fired a 19-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston, putting Los Angeles ahead, 17-14.
The score capped a six-play, 70-yard drive that took 3:27 off the clock. Once again, the Chargers did not even face a third down on their possession. Herbert connected with Ladd McConkey for gains of 21 and 16 on the drive.
Herbert is now 11-of-15 for 169 yards with two touchdowns and one interception so far on Sunday.
Chargers right tackle Bobby Hart is questionable to return with a groin injury. Trey Pipkins came in to replace him late in the first quarter.
The Titans haven’t gotten much going offensively, but they now still have two touchdowns.
Chimere Dike returned a Chargers punt 67 yards for a touchdown, giving Tennessee a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.
The Titans forced a deep punt after Dre’Mont Jones sacked Justin Herbert on third-and-9. The punt came from the end zone on fourth-and-15 from the Chargers’ 7, with Dike fielding the 60-yard punt at the Tennessee 33.
With good blocks set up, Dike made his way down the right sideline to the end zone for the special teams score.
Linebacker Cody Barton scored a pick-six off Justin Herbert earlier in the first quarter to give Tennessee the club’s first points.
After tossing a pick-six on the Chargers’ first drive, Justin Herbert has come back to put his club on the board.
Herbert connected with fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock for a 2-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 with 7:24 left in the first quarter.
The Chargers did not face a third down on the possession, with Herbert tossing a long pass to tight end Oronde Gadsden for a 34-yard gain down to the Tennessee 5-yard line.
A play later, Herbert found Matlock in the flat on the right side for the short score.
It was Herbert’s 17th touchdown pass of the season and Matlock’s first touchdown of his career.
Looking for their second win, the Titans got a big boost in their matchup with the Chargers with an early defensive score.
Linebacker Cody Barton returned an interception for a touchdown, giving Tennessee an early 7-0 lead.
Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert was looking for receiver Keenan Allen with a short pass on the right side. But Barton read the play well, undercutting the route for an interception at the Chargers’ 24-yard line.
Barton was able to pick his way through the Chargers’ offense from there, scoring the first pick-six of his seven-year career.
It was Herbert’s eighth interception of the 2025 season.
Word on Saturday was that Joe Flacco was on track to start at quarterback for the Bengals in Sunday’s home game against the Bears and official word of his status came on Sunday morning.
Flacco is active despite the right shoulder injury that caused him to miss Wednesday’s practice and limited him the rest of the week. Flacco was hurt on a sack in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s loss to the Jets, but he did not miss any offensive plays.
The Bengals will be without defensive end Trey Hendrickson for the second time in three games. Hendrickson is inactive after being listed as doubtful to play due to a hip injury.
Bears at Bengals
Bears: RB D’Andre Swift, QB Case Keenum, LB Ruben Hyppolite, WR Luther Burden, RB Roschon Johnson, DL Dominique Robinson
Bengals: CB Marco Wilson, LB Logan Wilson, OL Dalton Risner, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Cam Grandy, DE Trey Hendrickson, QB Sean Clifford
Falcons at Patriots
Falcons: CB Billy Bowman, RB Nathan Carter, OL Michael Jerrell, WR Casey Washington, DL Ta’Quon Graham, DL Zach Harrison
Patriots: LB Caleb Murphy, DT Eric Gregory, G Caedan Wallace, S John Saunders, QB Tommy DeVito, RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Chargers at Titans
Chargers: S Tony Jefferson, CB Tarheeb Still, LB Kyle Kennard, G Mekhi Becton, T Austin Deculus, TE Will Dissly
Titans: WR Calvin Ridley, DT Jeffery Simmons, LB Arden Key, OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, WR Bryce Oliver, S Xavier Woods, OL Drew Moss
Colts at Steelers
Colts: DE Samson Ekubam, RB DJ Giddens, WR Anthony Gould, DE Tyquan Lewis, S Reuben Lowery, TE Will Mallory, T Luke Tenuta
Steelers: WR Scotty Miller, S Chuck Clark, LB Cole Holcomb, S Jabrill Peppers, OL Andrus Peat, DL Logan Lee
49ers at Giants
49ers: QB Brock Purdy, RB Jordan James, WR Ricky Pearsall, C Jake Brendel, DE Bryce Huff, DL CJ West, S Marques Sigle
Giants: S Jevón Holland, CB Paulson Adebo, CB Cor’Dale Flott, DL Chauncey Golston, T Jermaine Eluemunor, TE Daniel Bellinger, QB Jameis Winston
Broncos at Texans
Broncos: CB Pat Surtain, TE Nate Adkins, WR Marvin Mims, S P.J. Locke, DL Sai’vion Jones, DL Jordan Jackson, RB Jaleel McLaughlin
Texans: QB Graham Mertz, RB Dameon Pierce, T Jarrett Kingston, T Trent Brown, DE Dylan Horton
Vikings at Lions
Vikings: FB CJ Ham, T Walter Rouse, TE Josh Oliver, TE Ben Sims, DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, LB Austin Keys, CB Jeff Okudah
Lions: RB Craig Reynolds, DT Quinton Jefferson, DT Mekhi Wingo, S Erick Hallett, S Kerby Joseph, S Jammie Robinson
Panthers at Packers
Panthers: LB Princely Umanmielen, WR Hunter Renfrow, QB Mike White, C Cade Mays, TE James Mitchell, DT Cam Jackson
Packers: WR Dontayvion Wicks, K Lucas Havrisik, OL Jacob Monk, OL Donovan Jennings, DL Lukas Van Ness, DL Warren Brinson
