The San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans combined to win seven games last season. They both have something to prove in 2016, just don’t expect them to show much when they open the preseason slate on Saturday. That’s because the teams will meet in Week 9 of the regular season. I know, that’s nearly three months away, but head coaches in the NFL are funny about divulging too much, especially since it can be captured on video.
The Week 1 preseason matchup between the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans will take place Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Diego Chargers +3 ( -120 )
Tennessee Titans -3 ( +100 )
Over/Under 35.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
Bettors are staring at a standard line in this game. Tennessee gets the usual three-point home field advantage and comes off at -3. There is -120 juice behind San Diego if you’re looking at taking the road underdog. The Titans played over the total all four times last preseason and the line is set low at 35.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
We should see Philip Rivers for at least one series and possibly more as he is reunited with his old offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. The two worked together in 2013, before Whisenhunt took the head job at Tennessee.
Two players at the opposite ends of their career are battling for the primary backup job. Kellen Clemens is in his third season with the franchise while Zach Mettenberger was claimed off waivers earlier this year. Look for both players to split the snaps after Rivers exits. Rookie Mike Bercovici is the fourth quarterback in camp.
There’s plenty of excitement in Nashville with Marcus Mariota set to begin his second season as the club’s starting quarterback. The former Heisman Trophy winner didn’t disappoint last season, putting up impressive numbers despite a terrible team around him. Mariota will get some reps on Saturday.
New backup Matt Cassell will play a majority of the game in between Mariota and third-stringer Alex Tanney. The Titans have three QBs on the roster, one fewer than they had entering last season’s preseason opener.
COACHING HISTORY
If given a full deck to play with, Mike McCoy can be a very good coach. After all, success is based largely on the roster of players. After going 4-12 with a beaten up squad last season, Chargers brass retained the coach for a fourth season with expectations of better results with a healthier roster. McCoy has never had a winning preseason record, going 2-2 SU in the last two years, but he has been money against the spread. The Chargers were 4-0 ATS last preseason and are 7-4-1 ATS in McCoy’s three years.
Mike Mularkey gets his first preseason with the Titans after taking over for Whisenhunt seven games into the 2015 campaign. He was with Jacksonville in 2012 when the Jags had a 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS preseason record with the over going 3-0-1. Overall, Mularkey is 7-5 ATS as a head coach in the preseason.
QUICK PICK
The widely accepted notion is that preseason results don’t matter. That’s true in the record book, but for teams that struggled to win games last season, a positive result would be welcomed. It’s safe to say McCoy is sitting on a warm seat entering the year. San Diego was ravaged by injuries last season, especially in the receiving corps and along the offensive line.
The results certainly weren’t because McCoy suddenly became a bad coach. Management understood and gave him a one-year extension. Besides, you have to think Mettenberger and Whisenhunt would like the opportunity to stick it to their former employer.
Tennessee will be working in plenty of new parts after a busy offseason. There’s a good chance we get a glimpse of the past two Heisman winners in the Titans backfield with Mariota and Derrick Henry. But don’t expect much of an offensive output from them.
NFL Odds: Chargers 23, Titans 15
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The Week 1 preseason matchup between the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans will take place Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium.
