Sunday Morning Football, Week 7. The London madness shifts football to the morning hours on the east coast, and the early morning on the west coast. Pity the Los Angeles Chargers, who not only have to travel through 8 hours of time zones to get to the game but have to play the game at an ungodly 6:30 a.m. California time. In what has become an annual tradition we have reached the week where we have wall to wall, nearly continuous NFL football from 9:30 in the morning to nearly midnight. That’s football overload for all but the most die hard football fans. Nonetheless, for you brave souls who are up and raring to go with morning football from London, we bring you the Los Angeles Chargers, fighting some serious jet lag, taking on the Tennessee Titans. The Chargers come into this game hot, riding a three game winning streak. Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers is having a great year, sporting a passer rating of 115+, and leading a Chargers offense ranked 7th in the NFL in yards and 5th in points scored. Rivers has some serious weapons at his disposal in running back Melvin Gordon, having a Pro Bowl caliber year, and receiver Keenan Allen, on pace for nearly 100 receptions and over 1100 yards receiving. The Titans answer with a terrible offense, currently ranked 30th in the NFL in both yards and points scored, but a terrific defense, ranked 3rd in the NFL in points allowed. The Titans defense has forced six fumbles, intercepted five passes and features nine different players with at least one sack. This one shapes up as a struggle for supremacy between one of the league’s best offenses and one of the league’s best defenses. It’s the Chargers and the Titans in the morning from London. Enjoy the game everybody.<doc-sep>The Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers face off in Wembley Stadium on Sunday morning. It'll be the second straight Sunday that the NFL will be on display in London after the Seahawks beat up the Raiders last week. This will be the first time for Tennessee to play overseas, while the Chargers last took the field in Europe back in 2008 when they lost 37-32 to the Saints. In that one, Drew Brees outdueled Philip Rivers, who got a solid effort from LaDainian Tomlinson on the ground. Tennessee beat the Philadelphia Eagles back in Week 4 to move to 3-1 on the season. Since then, the Titans have lost to the Bills and Ravens, putting up just 12 points in the process. The Titans surrendered 11 sacks to Baltimore and mustered only 106 yards of total offense. Tennessee has struggled to find a consistent run game with Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis, and the Titans' weapons on the outside are highly mediocre and have failed to take the next step. The Titans' defense has allowed only two opponents to score more than 21 points, so they are competitive in most contests despite the offensive deficiencies. Linebacker Derrick Morgan is expected to miss a few weeks and Will Compton is dealing with an injury as well, but the hope is that Wesley Woodyard could return on Sunday. The Chargers are currently on a three-game winning streak, beating the 49ers, Raiders and Browns. Los Angeles is using a very good run game, with Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler keeping teams honest. Philip Rivers has not had to throw the ball a ton for the most part as of late. The defense has also been better the last two games, holding opponents to just 24 points combined. The Chargers have been very good against the run, with the Rams being the only opponent to have sustained success on the ground. The last time these two teams met was in 2016, when the San Diego Chargers won 43-35 over the Titans. The Chargers racked up 208 rushing yards and forced three turnovers in the victory. Tennessee vs. Los Angeles (London) Kickoff: Sunday, Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. ET TV: CBS Spread: Chargers -6.5 Three Things to Watch 1. Intangibles As mentioned above, this will be Tennessee's first game in London. Last year we saw the Ravens, Cardinals and Browns all play their first game overseas, and they all lost by a combined score of 110-23. The key will be how the Titans handle the time change and how early they go to Europe. The Raiders last week treated it like any other road trip and lost handily, 27-3 to the Seahawks. The time difference is a factor and should be treated as such. There aren't a ton of players on the Chargers who were around back in 2008 when they made their first trip, so we'll see how they handle it. Both of these squads have their bye week coming up afterwards, so there shouldn't be a focus issue for either in this one. Los Angeles is certainly playing better then Tennessee entering the game, though. 2. Run, run and run it again The team that is able to get its ground game going is going to have a leg up. The Chargers duo of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler averages 5.5 yards per carry, consistently moving the chains and tiring out the defense. The two have combined for 44 catches as well, which helps when Philip Rivers is under pressure. Gordon alone has three 20-plus-yard catches. Tennessee's defense has allowed 123.2 yards per game on the ground. The Texans and Bills were able to put up over 140 yards rushing apiece on the Titans. On the opposite side, you have Tennessee, which is trying to figure out the best way to use Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis. In theory, they provide a solid "Thunder and Lightning" dynamic, but neither has performed like it, averaging a combined 3.2 yards per carry. Lewis has one of the team's two rushing touchdowns with the other coming from Marcus Mariota. Henry in particular has been a bust with no touchdowns and no rushes of 20 yards or more yet this season. The Chargers have clamped down on the run even without the injured Joey Bosa. 3. Play from ahead The last time the Titans were playing with a lead was when they were up 12-10 late in the game against the Bills in Buffalo on Oct. 7. Buffalo went down and kicked a field goal to win with no time left on the clock, but Tennessee was in the contest until the end because the Bills aren't very explosive. If Tennessee can keep this one in the high teens or low 20s, then maybe the Titans have a shot. Somehow they were able to put up 26 on the Eagles defense at home way back in Week 4. That was Marcus Mariota's best game, a performance that he has not been able to match since then. He threw for 327 yards against the Eagles and has put up 203 in the two contests since. The pressure is on the Titans defense to hold the Chargers down, because there is no margin for error with this offense. Final Analysis Weird things occasionally happen when the NFL takes its product overseas, although in last year's four games in London, it seemed like the better team won for the most part. Tennessee is licking its wounds literally and figuratively after the beatdown the Titans took at the hands of the Ravens. The Chargers are the better of the two teams and shouldn't have much of an issue slowing down the Tennessee offense. If Gordon and Ekeler can keep rolling on the ground, then this one will be a comfortable victory for LA. The Titans may dig into their bag of tricks to score, but it won't be enough. Prediction: Chargers 24, Titans 13 — Written by Matt Josephs, who is a part of the Athlon Sports Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @MidMajorMatt.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top F1 stories again The Los Angeles Chargers could be without standout running back Melvin Gordon when they face the Tennessee Titans later this afternoon. The team downgraded Gordon's status to questionable yesterday due to a hamstring injury. They also promoted rookie running back Detrez Newsome from the practice squad and released linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee. Gordon was listed on Friday's injury report as a limited practice participant, but he wasn't given a status for today’s game.<doc-sep>The Chargers concluded the Ohio portion of their next-game preparation Thursday and readied for their latest challenge: Surviving an eight-hour flight to London. “Well, if you get some sleep medicine,” linebacker Denzel Perryman said, “you should be all right.” A Sunday date at Wembley Stadium opposite Tennessee awaits as the Chargers attempt to enter their off week on a four-game winning streak. Advertisement Both teams were scheduled to fly Thursday night, have meetings Friday morning and then practice in the afternoon before finally being permitted to crash in their beds. Titans coach Mike Vrabel said that at some point before returning to the field Friday, his players would go for a “walk through the countryside or whatever the hotel area is, just to try to get our legs going a little bit.” For well-conditioned athletes who are typically kept to a strict regimen, this game represents a wild departure from the norm. The Chargers generally do not practice in crisp mid-40s temperatures as they did Thursday. They also routinely don’t spend so much time together that it’s as if they’re back living on campus. “It can be a galvanizing experience for our football team,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “Being on the road, being away from home for two weeks. I think it’s good to get these guys together … It can definitely bring a team together.” The Chargers began coaching their players on the importance of adjusting their sleep two weeks ago. Lynn said the team looked at “sleep patterns and sleep ideals” while putting together its work and travel schedules. This franchise hasn’t played outside the United States in 10 years. Quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates are the only Chargers remaining who were in London in 2008 for a 37-32 loss to New Orleans. Advertisement “I think you definitely appreciate it,” Rivers said. “It’s a long way to go. I imagine it’s the last time that I’ll make this trip over there. Who knows? Unless we get put back on the circuit really quickly.” On the run The Titans have struggled running the ball. In being shut out 21-0 Sunday by Baltimore, they rushed for only 55 yards. Part of the problem has been the lack of a deep threat on the outside, allowing opposing safeties to crowd the line of scrimmage. This could play into one of the Chargers’ strengths. Derwin James, Jahleel Addae and Adrian Phillips each has been effective playing closer to the line. Advertisement Phillips, in particular, has provided a boost when the Chargers go with more defensive backs. “A.P. can play in the box,” Lynn said. “He can play in the middle of the field. He can play the sky safety. He’s the versatility that we need to do all the things that we’re doing with the dime package. He really makes it work.” Phillips, 26, is in his fourth season. He originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas and spent time on the Chargers practice squad. Can I kick it? The Chargers headed to London without announcing their plans at kicker for Sunday. Advertisement Lynn suggested this week that the status of Caleb Sturgis (quadriceps) might not be determined until just before kickoff. Rookie Michael Badgley replaced Sturgis last week and was successful on all five of his extra-point tries and a 44-yard field goal. Lynn said linebacker Jatavis Brown (groin) also could be a game-time decision. Brown, who was limited in practices in Cleveland, missed the game Sunday. Titan history Before beginning his second stint as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in January of 2016, Ken Whisenhunt was Tennessee’s head coach. He dismissed the idea that this game will have added meaning for him. Advertisement “You know, it’s a couple of years removed,” Whisenhunt said. “They’ve made changes. It’ll be good to see some of the players. I think, when you go through what we went through, even though it was a short time, you form bonds with guys.” The Titans were 3-20 during Whisenhunt’s time before he was fired in November 2015. Etc. The Chargers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Titans. … Special teams contributor Nick Dzubnar (hamstring) was added to the injury list Thursday. He was limited in practice. … The Chargers lead the AFC and are second in the league averaging 7.62 yards on first down. jeff.miller@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @JeffMillerLAT<doc-sep>
NFL: Shaquem Griffin 'I'm not just a feel-good story' The Los Angeles Chargers could be without standout running back Melvin Gordon when they face the Tennessee Titans later this afternoon. The team downgraded Gordon's status to questionable yesterday due to a hamstring injury. They also promoted rookie running back Detrez Newsome from the practice squad and released linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee. Gordon was listed on Friday's injury report as a limited practice participant, but he wasn't given a status for today’s game. "I think it was just sore," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn told reporters. "We had a long plane ride. He probably didn't drink enough water. "We were just being extra cautious with him and we just held him out." Last week saw the Seattle Seahawks storm to victory over the Oakland Raiders with a convincing 27-3 win in London. Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles will be in town next Sunday to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. NFL London LIVE - Latest updates from Chargers vs Titans NFL London games: Find out why Chargers vs Titans is being staged in London Why is the NFL in London? Since 2007, the NFL has run the ‘International Series’ which involves usually three to four games being staged in London each year. The Chargers and the Titans battle it out at Wembley today in the second of three games in the 2018 series. The purpose of holding games in London is to grow the sport, however, there are also hopes of eventually having a franchise based in the city. In 2017, NFL executive vice-president Mark Waller said it was "realistic" for an NFL team to make a permanent move to England's capital in the next five years. And last week he confirmed that those plans were still on track for 2022. NFL London games: Chargers vs Titans takes place at Wembley