Inglewood, CA — The Los Angeles Chargers continued their march through the softer part of their schedule with a resounding 45-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans at home in Week 10. The win, which moved the Chargers to 6-3, was built on a dominant rushing attack, a swarming defense that forced seven turnovers, and a balanced passing game that featured eight different players with a catch on only 17 team completions. With the Titans struggling and their quarterbacks floundering under pressure, the Chargers capitalized on every mistake to deliver one of their most complete performances of the season in front of their home crowd.
Herbert Leads Efficient Passing Attack
Justin Herbert put together another strong outing, efficiently leading the Chargers’ offense to six touchdowns and maintaining complete control of the game. Herbert finished with 247 yards through the air, completing 15 of 19 passes, including two touchdowns, one to Quentin Johnston and one to rookie Brenden Rice.
The highlight of Herbert’s day came in the second quarter, where he hit Johnston for a 62-yard touchdown that broke the game wide open. Johnston showcased his speed and ability to separate from defenders on the play, reminding everyone why he’s become one of Herbert’s favorite targets.
Johnston ended the day with three catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, while fellow receiver Ladd McConkey added three catches for 45 yards. Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, caught his first career touchdown in a red-zone opportunity, despite finishing with only 13 receiving yards.
“We have so many guys who can step up and make plays,” said Herbert after the game. “It’s about executing as an offense, and today, everyone was locked in.”
Ground Game Dominates Despite Injury
The Chargers’ running backs were unstoppable, amassing 216 yards on the ground and scoring four rushing touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins led the charge with 83 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown, continuing his consistent play as Los Angeles’ lead back while Hassan Haskins has been out to injury. Dobbins set the tone early, using his vision and burst to exploit gaps in Tennessee’s front seven.
However, the real story of the ground game came from backup running back Kimani Vidal. On just five carries, Vidal ran for 91 yards, including a dazzling 70-yard touchdown run where he evaded multiple defenders on the first play of the second half. Vidal’s explosive performance was crucial for the Chargers, especially after losing right guard Trey Pipkins III to a season-ending injury.
“We’re going to miss Trey, but it’s a next-man-up mentality,” said head coach Jay Cee. “Kimani stepped up in a big way today, and our entire offensive line played well. We’ll keep grinding and make the necessary adjustments.” After the game, the Chargers placed Pipkins on IR and signed RG Tyler Steen off of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. It’ll be a competition between veteran C Bradley Bozeman, RG Jamaree Salyer, and Steen himself to see who becomes the new starting RG.
In addition to Dobbins and Vidal, Gus Edwards added a touchdown and 30 yards on 10 carries, and WR/KR Derius Davis got his first offensive action since week 1 and scored a touchdown on an end around from the 7-yard line.
Defensive Domination: Seven Takeaways
While the Chargers’ offense impressed, the defense stole the show by forcing seven takeaways with six interceptions and one fumble recovery. The constant pressure on the Titans’ quarterbacks, Will Levis and Mason Rudolph, resulted in four interceptions by Levis and two by Rudolph, both of whom struggled to find rhythm.
Rookie cornerback Cam Hart had a breakout performance, snagging two interceptions and locking down his side of the field. Junior Colson, the Chargers’ standout rookie linebacker, matched Hart with two interceptions of his own and continued to build his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Tarheeb Still, another rookie corner, added an interception, while linebacker Daiyan Henley also picked off a pass, rounding out a stellar day for the defense.
“It was a team effort, for sure,” said Colson. “We were able to get pressure up front, and that allowed us to make plays on the ball. It’s the kind of defense we want to play every week—fast, physical, and forcing turnovers.”
The Chargers’ defensive front also played a critical role in shutting down the Titans’ offense. Teair Tart and Khalil Mack split a sack, while K’Lavon Chaisson added another. Tart, who has become a key piece of the interior line, also played a significant role in containing the Titans’ rushing game.
The lone fumble recovery came after safety Derwin James Jr. delivered a jarring hit on Tyjae Spears, causing the ball to pop loose. Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu recovered the fumble, snuffing out a promising Titans drive.
Titans’ Quarterback Carousel and Offensive Struggles
For the second consecutive week, the Chargers forced an opponent to bench their starting quarterback. Will Levis, who has struggled with inconsistency, was pulled after completing just 8 of 24 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. Veteran Mason Rudolph entered the game in relief but fared only slightly better, completing 11 of 21 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Despite the poor quarterback play, the Titans still managed to get decent production from wide receivers Jha’Quan Jackson and Calvin Ridley. Jackson led the team with five catches for 124 yards, including a long touchdown reception, while Ridley added 75 yards on four catches.
However, the Titans’ offensive woes were compounded when star running back Tony Pollard suffered a dislocated ankle early in the game after starting well with 52 yards on just 5 carries. Pollard, the Titans’ most dynamic offensive player, is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, leaving Tennessee without their best weapon in an already difficult season.
Rookie Standouts in the Spotlight
The Chargers’ rookies continue to impress, especially on defense. Cam Hart, Junior Colson, and Tarheeb Still are all in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, and their performance in this game only solidified their status as rising stars.
Hart’s two interceptions were both timely and impactful, while Colson’s versatility and playmaking ability have been invaluable to the Chargers’ defense. Still, who also grabbed an interception, has been a shutdown corner on the outside, playing beyond his years.
“We have a lot of talent on this defense, and the young guys are stepping up,” said Jay Cee. “They’re mature, they’re hungry, and they want to make an impact. It’s exciting to see.”
Pipkins’ Injury and Offensive Line Adjustments
The only downside to the Chargers’ victory was the season-ending injury to right guard Trey Pipkins III. Pipkins has been a key piece of the Chargers’ offensive line, and his loss will force the team to reshuffle up front. Jay Cee did not provide immediate details on who would replace Pipkins, but the team will likely need to rely on depth pieces to fill the void.
“We’ll evaluate our options, but we’re confident in the guys we have,” Jay Cee said. “It’s always tough losing a starter, but we’ve been preparing for situations like this.”
Looking Ahead: Bengals Up Next
With the win over Tennessee, the Chargers now head into Week 11 at 6-3 and will host the 3-7 Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have struggled mightily this season, but Los Angeles is not taking them lightly.
“We’re not looking past anyone,” Herbert said. “We’ve got to keep playing our brand of football, stay disciplined, and execute at a high level.”
The Chargers have a golden opportunity to build on their momentum and keep their playoff push alive as they continue this stretch against teams with losing records. With their defense flying high and Herbert leading the offense, the Chargers are emerging as a serious contender in the AFC playoff race.
