Titans vs Chargers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: The King Dominates the Ekeler-less Bolts

The Tennessee Titans welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to Nashville for a battle of two 0-1 teams looking to climb back up to .500 and avoid starting the 2023/24 NFL season in the dreaded 0-2 hole.

It will be a dog fight between these two AFC foes, as Derrick Henry and the Titans look to win their home opener in Nissan stadium against Justin Herbert and the offensive firepower of the Los Angeles Chargers.

One day til Sunday 🏈

📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/gpDvGle0kC pic.twitter.com/vYa9gLPtTa

— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2023

It is Week 2 of the NFL season and we have a great one brewing in Music City. Keep reading to find:

• Game Information
• Updated Odds
• Game Analysis
• Prediction & Best Bet
• Player Prop of the Game

Let’s dive in!

Where to Bet Tennessee Titans vs Los Angeles Chargers

Find the best Odds and Bonuses at these highly recommended and honestly reviewed Sportsbooks:

Titans vs Chargers Game Information

• Date & Time: September 17th, 2023. Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST
• Venue: Nissan Stadium. Nashville, TN
• Where to Watch: CBS, NFL+, Youtube TV

Titans vs Chargers Game Odds

Odds available at Bovada Sportsbook

Moneyline

• Chargers (-140)
• Titans (+125)

Spread

• Chargers -3 (-110)
• Titans +3 (-110)

Total

• Over 45 (-110)
• Under 45 (-110)

Titans vs Chargers Analysis

Both of these teams walked away with losses in Week 1, despite losing by 1 point and 3 points, respectably.

The Titans couldn’t get the job done in New Orleans and came upon 1 point short, falling to the Saints 16-15 in the Big Easy.

Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill played quite possibly his worst game as the starter for the Titans, with zero touchdowns and 3 BAD interceptions.

Ryan Tannehill is on pace to throw 0 touchdowns and 51 interceptions.

Breaking down the worst performance of his Titans careeer: https://t.co/2H6Bp46qDm pic.twitter.com/TbzSjkhULR

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 12, 2023

 

Even with Tannehill playing one of the worst games of his career, the Titans were still a single play away from taking Week 1 against a tough Saints team in New Orleans.

The Titans will take the positives from last week and roll them into Week 2 against this dangerous Chargers offense, missing one of their biggest weapons, RB Austin Ekeler.

Can the Chargers dominate without Ekeler?

Ekeler missed practice all week and it has just been confirmed, as of this writing on Saturday afternoon, that Ekeler will indeed miss this game.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Chargers star RB Austin Ekeler is OUT for tomorrow’s game against the #Titans with an ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/WW56qNGKH9

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 16, 2023

 

The Chargers are for sure going to miss their All-Star dual threat back, coming off of a massive week 1 which saw him rack up 164 all purpose yards, with 117 of those coming on the ground.

The running back duties this week for the Bolts will fall to Joshua Kelly and luckily for the Chargers, that ain’t so bad.

Joshua Kelly, with the touchdown for the lead 31-24 pic.twitter.com/sELcVZLXl8

— BSGsports (@BSGsportsmedia) September 10, 2023

Kelly had 16 carries for 91 yards in Week 1 as well, spelling Ekeler nicely all day long. Kelly will be the main man on Sunday in Nashville, and while he was able to take advantage of the opportunities in Week 1, this Tennessee Run defense is a whole different animal.

The Titans were the number 1 rushing defense in the NFL last season and that looks to be the deal once again this year. This unit held the Saints to only 69 rushing yards in Week 1.

The Chargers will look to attack the Titans through the air, with quarterback Justin Herbert and they should be able to find opportunities.

Herbert and the Chargers Passing Attack the Key

Herbert was able to carve the Titans apart in their matchup last season, going 28-42 with 313 yards through the air.

He didn’t find the end zone in that game and did throw 2 interceptions however, so Herbert will be looking to avoid the turnovers and find the end zone this time around.

Even without Ekeler, the Chargers still have weapons for Herbert to distribute the ball to, in Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, along with Tight End Gerald Everett as well.

The Titans secondary is the weakness of their defense, and it is banged up this week, missing starting corner Kristian Fulton with a hamstring injury and safety Amani Hooker with a concussion.

Herbert and the Chargers will look to take advantage of the back end of this Titans stout defense and target the backups in the Titans secondary. If they are able to do that, it could be a long day for the Titans.

Will the Titans go back to the King?

If the Titans defense can hold the Chargers in check, it will be up to the offense to take advantage and that will start with Derrick Henry.

The King had a relatively pedestrian week 1, with only 15 carries, but he was still able to rack up 119 yards from scrimmage.

While the game plan was actually very good in Week 1 against the Saints, the Titans will surely be looking to lean on Henry in a big way this week, and they should.

The Chargers were able to hold the Dolphins to 70 yards on the ground in Week 1, but that is because they didn’t need to run the ball. QB Tua Tagovailoa had 466 passing yards!

Last season, the Chargers were the 4th worst rushing defense in the league and Henry has had success against the Bolts, on the ground and receiving (more on that in a bit so keep reading 😉 ).

All in all, I expect the Titans to go back to basics and pound the football against this light Chargers defensive front and that will start with the King.

Titans vs Chargers Prediction

Every time these two teams face off, it is always a crazy game of football. I expect nothing less on Sunday.

I am going to ride with the home team and the points to keep this game within a field goal and possibly even sneak out a victory infront of their home crowd.

Titans Head Coach is Mike Vrabel is 24-15-1 as an underdog since 2018 and is 11-7 straight up in September games as well.

This is going to be a battle all game long and will come down to a few plays to decide who goes 1-1. I love the Titans with the points, with this game possibly coming down to the last possession or maybe even the last play.

Best Bet

Titans +3 (-110) My Bookie

Player Prop of the Game

Derrick Henry o105.5 Rush/Receiving Yards (-115) Bovada

As I mentioned above, I love Henry today and my favorite prop is his Rushing and receiving yards.

I fully support taking his Rushing yards or receiving yards line if you would rather go that route.

But for me, I am going to with the combined stat line. As I mentioned earlier, Henry only had 15 carries in Week 1 but was able to bust a screen catch for a 40+ yard reception to climb over 110+ Rush/receiving yards.

Henry now has 106+ Rush/Receiving yards in 5 straight games, dating back to last season and in 12 of his last 14 as well.

He had 169 rush+receiving yards against the Chargers last season, with 104 on the ground and 59 receiving yards.

The Titans are going to prioritize getting Henry the ball early and often in this one, running the rock and out in space with well-timed screens.

I love the big man to take advantage all day long.

Player Prop Best Bet: Derrick Henry o105.5 Rush/Receiving yards (-115) Bovada

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Enjoy Week 2! Thanks for stopping by!

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