Los Angeles Chargers Week 7 open thread

It’s a battle of 2-4 teams hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive when the Los Angeles Chargers travel to Nashville to battle the Tennessee Titans.

The Chargers need to find a way to bounce back from terrible back-to-back losses to the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. Those teams had a combined record of 1-8 before playing the Chargers. In the case of the Steelers, they were also starting an undrafted third-string quarterback.

Things have sunken pretty low for this Chargers team, which came into the season with high expectations following a good playoff run a year ago. However, circumstances in the AFC West have left the door open for every team, including the Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the standings at 5-2, but without Patrick Mahomes for at least a couple of games, things could start getting much closer. For the Chargers to stay in that race, they must beat the Titans on Sunday.

Top storylines

• The Chargers offensive line has been declining in performance by the week, leading to Philip Rivers being under pressure far too often. Russell Okung returned to practice this week, but he will miss this game.
• Justin Jones and Brandon Mebane will also be out with injury. The Chargers will need to find a way to slow down Derrick Henry without them.
• Can Hunter Henry be a force again? He caught eight passes for 100 yards and two scores in his return to action last Sunday.
• The Chargers again face a backup quarterback, this time it’s Ryan Tannehill. The Chargers have gone against several backups so far this season.

How to watch

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT and the game will be televised on CBS. Ian Eagle and former Chargers great Dan Fouts will have the call.

Discussion

There will be a live chat right here in this thread. Be sure to get in on that action with your fellow Chargers fans. Also, make sure to check in following the game as we will have all of our postgame coverage.