After the Chargers stopped the Titans with a goal-line stand, Justin Herbert led Los Angeles on a 99-yard touchdown drive. Johnnie Izquierdo / Getty Images

One play was all it took to turn the tide in Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville.

After the Chargers’ defense stuffed Tony Pollard on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Justin Herbert took over and engineered a 99-yard touchdown drive. The drive took more than nine minutes off the clock and turned a 20-17 nail-biter into a 27-17 Chargers edge early in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles held on for a 27-20 victory.

Herbert passed for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he also threw a pick six in the first quarter and was sacked six times.

Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who entered Sunday having been sacked more than other NFL QB, was brought down four times by the Chargers.

It was the second win in a row for Los Angeles, which improved to 6-3. The Titans lost their fourth straight and dropped to 1-8.

Loss of Joe Alt looms large for Chargers

The Chargers may have won their second straight, but the loss of left tackle Joe Alt looms larger than the victory. Alt left the game in the second quarter after suffering a scary injury. Titans defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, a former Charger, fell into the back of Alt’s right leg. Alt was carted off the field and did not return.

Alt suffered a right high ankle sprain in Week 4. He went on to miss the next three games before returning for a Week 8 win over the Vikings. His impact on the offense — in the run game and in pass protection — could not be overstated. Now, the Chargers could be without Alt for another extended period as they head into a tough two-game stretch, with home games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

justin herbert is too tuff

📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/LoGkqeenhQ

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 2, 2025

If this is a more serious injury and Alt is done for the season, it is hard to see the Chargers overcoming yet another offensive line absence to make the playoffs. The Chargers also lost right tackle Bobby Hart in this game to what the team called a groin injury. Starting right guard Mekhi Becton missed the game with a knee injury. At some point, these offensive line injuries will become insurmountable. The Chargers are nearing that threshold. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer

Chargers get away with errors against a poor team

The Chargers should have won this game in a landslide. Two early miscues kept it close. Herbert threw a pick six on the second offensive play of the game — a rare poor read from Los Angeles’ quarterback. He stared down receiver Keenan Allen, and linebacker Cody Barton was all over the pass.

Later in the first quarter, the Chargers gave up a 67-yard punt return touchdown to Titans receiver Chimere Dike. Those were the only two touchdowns the Titans scored. The Chargers put together a stout defensive performance against Ward, the Titans’ rookie QB, only allowing six points. The mistakes on offense and special teams made it close.

The Chargers got away with the errors against a poor Titans team. These mistakes, however, will sink them against more potent opponents. — Popper

Nov 2, 2025

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