NASHVILLE — The Los Angeles Chargers are rested and ready for a road trip, trying to position themselves for a second straight playoff berth.
The Tennessee Titans are trying not to look ahead at what might happen with the NFL trade deadline next week, moving closer to yet another coaching search and possibly being on the draft clock with the No. 1 pick for a second straight offseason.
These teams going in opposite directions will collide Sunday at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, and the visiting Chargers (5-3) should have quite the advantage. They had a mini break after their 37-10 home win over the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 23 — a Thursday night game — with players such as outside linebacker Khalil Mack feeling better every day with the elbow that put him on injured reserve getting time to heal.
“It came at the right time,” quarterback Justin Herbert said of having a few extra days off even without an open date. “A lot of guys got their bodies back.”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh agreed, saying the matchup with the Titans is a “huge game because it’s the next game.”