Chargers vs. Titans score, takeaways: Justin Herbert leads game-winning drive as Tennessee drops fourth in row

The Los Angeles Chargers moved to 8-6 on Sunday with a 17-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. Justin Herbert led a game-winning drive with just 48 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, going 52 yards on five plays to set up the 43-yard Cameron Dicker field goal that kept L.A. in the win column. This victory for the Chargers helps them keep pace in the crowded AFC playoff picture, while the Titans leave the door open for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. 

Herbert threw two interceptions in a game for the first time since Dec. 26, 2021, but he finished Sunday's outing completing 28 of 42 passes for 313 yards. Keenan Allen was his favorite target, as he caught eight of nine targets for 86 yards. 

Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill injured his ankle on Tennessee's first drive of the game and was carted to the locker room, but returned after just one drive and played the rest of the game. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 165 yards and one interception, but did punch in the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Derrick Henry rushed 21 times for 104 yards and one touchdown, and led the Titans in receiving with four catches for 59 yards.

The Titans are flailing down the stretch, and this four-game losing streak matches their longest such skid since 2015. Let's take a look at what went down in Inglewood on Sunday. 

Why the Chargers won

It says a lot that Herbert shook off two interceptions to lead a game-winning drive with just 48 seconds remaining. To everyone who was on Twitter saying the Chargers were "Chargering," take that! Herbert came up when it mattered most, both Allen and Mike Williams made big plays in the passing game and then the defense made life tough for Tannehill -- sacking him four times. 

Herbert's clutchness was a reason for this win, but 17 points aren't going to be enough to win every game you play in. L.A.'s defense played solid ball, as Tennessee's offense put together arguably just two solid drives all afternoon. 

Why the Titans lost

Dennis Daley and Nicholas Petit-Frere struggled with L.A.'s pass rushers, Henry had over 57 percent of Tennessee's total yards while the Titans wide receivers combined for just 32 yards, Tennessee got to the red zone just twice and went 3 of 11 on third downs. That's just not going to cut it offensively. Tennessee entered this matchup with what was statistically the fourth-worst offense in the NFL, and its standing in the league is only going to fall after what happened in Week 15. 

Fans are sick of ignoring the issue at left tackle, Todd Downing's play-calling could be much better and then the injuries just continue to mount. Sunday's game itself wasn't an utter disaster, but the fact that Tennessee has lost four straight and is facing the reality of potentially not making the postseason is certainly disaster-like. 

Turning point

The Chargers started off their eventual game-winning drive in great fashion. Herbert hit Williams for 16 yards, and then found Gerald Everett for 6 yards. Then came the big play -- a 35-yard pass to Williams.

Check out the pass and the catch on this play. Herbert truly has special chemistry with Allen AND Williams.

Play of the game

It appeared the Chargers were prepared to break the 7-7 tie right before the halftime break. L.A. was at Tennessee's 25-yard line with 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter, and Herbert threw up a pass to Williams in the end zone. Titans rookie cornerback Roger McCreary intercepted the ball while going out of bounds, and threw it back in bounds to teammate Joshua Kalu, who secured the interception with both feet inbounds. It was a pretty big play, as it kept the Chargers from scoring any points before halftime. 

It's interesting, as CBS Sports rules analyst Gene Steratore said that if McCreary pushed the ball forward to Kalu, it would have resulted in an illegal batting penalty. 

Quotable

"It don't look like we're a team right now that's going to beat anybody. So we gotta find a way to get back to work and beat Houston." -- Titans safety Kevin Byard, via Paul Kuharsky.

What's next

The Titans return to Nashville next week to host the rival Houston Texans. The Texans gave the Kansas City Chiefs a game earlier on Sunday, before ultimately falling in overtime, 30-24. As for the Chargers, they hit the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. The Colts of course just allowed the largest comeback in NFL history to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, blowing a 33-0 halftime lead. 

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Six plays, 52 yards and a 43-yard game-winning field goal for the Chargers. Great win for Brandon Staley and Co. 

December 19, 2022, 12:33 AM
Dec. 18, 2022, 7:33 pm EST
 
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Chargers pick up 22 yards on two plays. They are going to have a great shot to kick a field goal. 

December 19, 2022, 12:22 AM
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Ryan Tannehill is in! QB sneak! Randy Bullock XP ties the game at 14 apiece. 

December 19, 2022, 12:19 AM
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Brandon Staley is calling timeouts for the Titans! Second and goal, 54 seconds left. 

December 19, 2022, 12:17 AM
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Titans have a first and goal with 53 seconds remaining down seven points, but no timeouts. 

December 19, 2022, 12:15 AM
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Chig Okonkwo for 28 yards on second and 11! Explosive rookie finally breaks loose. 1:07 remaining. 

December 19, 2022, 12:15 AM
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Henry has received the first three touches of this drive. 14 yards picked up. 

December 19, 2022, 12:12 AM
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Both teams are trading punts late in the fourth quarter. Titans offense can't do anything, but their defense is attempting to keep them in the game. 3:05 remaining, and the Titans will get the ball back. Just one timeout remaining. Watch for Derrick Henry here. 

December 19, 2022, 12:07 AM
Dec. 18, 2022, 7:07 pm EST
 
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Titans go three and out for a loss of -7 yards. This one almost feels over. Chargers have a great opportunity here. 

December 18, 2022, 11:55 PM
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December 18, 2022, 11:53 PM
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This was undoubtedly one of the plays of the game.

December 18, 2022, 11:48 PM
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THAT is what the Chargers needed. Six play, 59-yard drive and an Austin Ekeler touchdown. The drive was sparked by a 31-yard catch and run from Keenan Allen. 

14-7 Chargers with 10:28 remaining

December 18, 2022, 11:47 PM
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Third down sack

December 18, 2022, 11:42 PM
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Chargers get a huge sack on third down. Dennis Daley gets beat. Randy Bullock's 51-yard field goal is then no good, going wide right.

This is another chance for the Chargers to build off of the momentum the defense has created. Herbert needs to settle in and put together a long drive -- like L.A.'s first possession of the game. 

December 18, 2022, 11:42 PM
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December 18, 2022, 11:37 PM
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Titans defense has really stood up today despite all the injuries. Coverage has been good, and the pass-rush is getting home. DeMarcus Walker with a clutch third-down sack. 

December 18, 2022, 11:34 PM
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Titans can't do anything with the turnover. Four plays and a punt. No idea where Tannehill was going on that third down. Pass was like 7 feet behind Okonkwo. 

December 18, 2022, 11:28 PM
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Justin Herbert answers Ryan Tannehill's interception with an interception of his own! It's wild, as Herbert hasn't thrown two interceptions since Dec. 26 last year. 

December 18, 2022, 11:24 PM
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Wowwww. Tannehill goes deep and it's picked off by Nasir Adderley. It was a relatively well-thrown ball in my opinion. McMath had a chance to make a play on it. Pretty momentous play right there. 

December 18, 2022, 11:19 PM
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This drive, I'm focusing on Derrick Henry and Chig Okonkwo. 

December 18, 2022, 11:16 PM
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December 18, 2022, 11:14 PM
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Roger McCreary may be growing up right before our eyes. 

December 18, 2022, 11:14 PM
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December 18, 2022, 11:07 PM
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Chargers and Titans trade punts to kick off the third quarter. Titans have an ugly three-and-out that featured two targets to Robert Woods. He caught one for four yards, and then Tannehill was too tall on third down. On third-and-2, I'm probably going to run it with Derrick Henry, but that's just me. 

December 18, 2022, 11:06 PM
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HALFTIME: Titans 7, Chargers 7

1st downs: TEN 8 LAC 11
Total yards: TEN 139 LAC 155
3rd downs: TEN 1-4 LAC 2-6
TOP: TEN 14:51 LAC 15:09

Ryan Tannehill 6 of 9 for 73 yards
Justin Herbert 11 of 18 for 132 yards 1 INT

Derrick Henry: 8 carries for 38 yards 1 TD, two catches for 53 yards
Austin Ekeler: 4 carries for 22 yards
Joshua Kelley: 7 carries for 18 yards 1 TD


Keenan Allen: 5 catches for 34 yards

December 18, 2022, 10:49 PM
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Play of the game! Titans keep the Chargers from scoring points right before the halftime break. 

December 18, 2022, 10:43 PM
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Chargers have now gotten to the Tennessee 39-yard line. 35 seconds remaining, one timeout. Josh Palmer appears to be injured. 

December 18, 2022, 10:37 PM
Dec. 18, 2022, 5:37 pm EST
 
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Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has two targets, zero catches. This passing game has not done much at all. I want to see Chris Conley and Chig get more chances. 

December 18, 2022, 10:31 PM
Dec. 18, 2022, 5:31 pm EST
 
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Tannehill returns to the game, and leads a six-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a Derrick Henry touchdown from four yards out. The QBs mobility is clearly affected, but he feels good enough to go. Henry had a 37-yard catch and run that ended with him trucking teammate Chig Okonkwo. In fact, he had all 63 yards on that drive! 

December 18, 2022, 10:14 PM
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Titans QB Ryan Tannehill leaves the sideline on a cart. Updates on his status to come.

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