Titans at Chargers Week 9: 3 things we learned

The San Diego Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans in a shootout on Sunday. Here are three things we learned from the Bolts 43-35 victory.

Qualcomm Stadium was treated to a shootout on Sunday, even if the stands appeared empty on television. Melvin Gordon played his best game as a pro, rushing for nearly 200 yards, as the Chargers beat the Titans, 43-35. Both teams connected on big plays all game long, in what was the football equivalent of an old school heavyweight fight.

All season long, the Chargers have lost games in the fourth quarter, as they have failed to hold onto leads. On Sunday, the Titans made the Charger faithful sweat once again, but they were finally able to hold on for the win. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers showed he still has some bullets left in the gun, as the team continues to rally around head coach Mike McCoy.

Here are three things we learned from Sunday’s action.

1. Melvin Gordon is a workhorse

We have been singing Melvin Gordon’s praises all year long, even when the stat sheet has not backed us up. The fact of the matter is that Gordon is a workhorse kind of back, and is showing the kind of running style that made him a legend at the University of Wisconsin. On Sunday, Gordon rushed for an impressive 196 yards, but it was how he finished the game that shows the kind of back he is going to be.

On the Chargers final drive, Gordon was asked to carry the load, and he did just that. Gordon picked up a huge first down late in the drive, after leaving for a play because he was drilled by the Titans defense. Gordon shook off the hit, which appeared to turn his ankle, and bullied his way into Tennessee territory. The Chargers were able to kneel on the ball a few plays later, securing a huge victory at home.

2. The Titans are who we thought the Jaguars would be

Prior to the 2016 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars were a sexy pick to make it to the playoffs. Armed with a great young quarterback, and some fantastic skills players, the Jags were about to make the next step in to the elite in the AFC. After nine weeks, Jacksonville is in last place, and the Titans look like the next big team in the AFC South.

Marcus Mariota is as good as advertised, and has not encountered a Sophomore jinx this season. He seems to get better every week, and even when he made mistakes on Sunday, he kept moving the offense the next time they got the ball. The Titans also have some nice pieces around him, as Tajae Sharpe, Rishard Matthews, and Kendall Wright are all young wideouts. Add to the fact that DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield, and you have the makings of a solid team going forward.

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3. San Diego’s defense is fun to watch

The Tennessee Titans scored 35 points on Sunday, and Marcus Mariota threw for over 300 yards. However, the San Diego defense made plays when it counted, and it seems like every week, another young player steps up and makes a huge play. On Sunday, the defense scored two touchdowns, with the final one putting the game out of reach for good.

First round pick Joey Bosa has been incredible this season, and Jatavis Brown has played inspired football at linebacker. The Chargers are playing without Manti Te’o, and Jason Verrett, two main cogs on their defensive unit, but the defense is still making plays. I am sure that the team would like to see less points on the board, but each week the team is getting better as a unit, and the talent is definitely there to be very good, very soon.