Sports

Good teams win the games they should win — and the Chargers are out to prove they’re a good team.

They travel to Tennessee on Sunday to face rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, who has shown flashes of promise but isn’t yet where he wants to be in his career.

The Chargers are riding high after an Oct. 23 win over Minnesota that marked the return of outstanding left tackle Joe Alt. That makes a big difference both in the protection of Justin Herbert and paving the way for the running game.

Tennessee has one win, and that came a month ago to Arizona, and the Titans were rolled by the Rams in Week 2.

How the Chargers can win: Control the tempo with the run; the Titans just gave up 164 yards rushing in a loss to Indianapolis. Attack a depleted secondary; one starter is hurt and two more were traded, which should help open the passing lanes for Herbert. Limit the damage returner Chimere Dike does, as he’s capable of breaking a big one.

How the Titans can win: Create turnovers. This offense has struggled to move the ball and score points, so short fields will be critical for Tennessee. Do a better job of running with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears to take the heat off Ward. Continue to get edge-rushing productivity from Dre’Mont Jones, who has recorded sacks in three consecutive games.

Key injuries

Chargers: G Mekhi Becton (knee, questionable); TE Will Dissly (illness, questionable), LS Josh Harris (chest, questionable); RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring, out); S Tony Jefferson (hamstring, out); DB Deane Leonard (knee, questionable); CB Tarheeb Still (knee, out).

Titans: OLB Arden Key (quadricep, out); WR Bryce Oliver (knee, questionable); WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring, out); DT Jeffrey Simmons (hamstring, out); FS Xavier Woods (hamstring, out).

How to watch and listen to Chargers vs. Titans

The Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings will play Sunday at 10 a.m. PDT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The game will be available on CBS and Paramount+ in the Los Angeles area and will be available nationally via a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 640 AM or 105.5 FM (Español).

Betting odds and lines for Chargers vs. Titans

Who will win Chargers vs. Titans?

Sam Farmer’s pick: The Titans are bad in the red zone, have a depleted secondary, won’t have Calvin Ridley or Jeffrey Simmons and are leaning on a bunch of rookies. The Chargers are rested and should be able to string together wins. Chargers 31, Titans 17

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

It was December 2020, and the Rams were in the midst of their third run to the playoffs in four seasons under coach Sean McVay.

Their opponent: the 0-13 New York Jets.

There was seemingly no way the hapless Jets could beat a 9-4 Rams team at SoFi Stadium.

But the Rams came out flat and lost, 23-20.

On Sunday, the Rams welcome the seemingly hapless New Orleans Saints, who arrive with a 1-7 record.

“I don’t care what the record says,” McVay said. “The tape tells you a very different story. ... If we’re not ready to go we’ll certainly be humbled.”

Don’t expect a repeat of 2020.

The Saints, under first-year coach Kellen Moore, will send rookie quarterback Tyler Shough into his first start against a Chris Shula-coordinated Rams defense that features edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young and linemen Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Poona Ford.

Young ranks third in the NFL with nine sacks. Verse has four.

Sunday’s game marks the Rams debut of cornerback Roger McCreary, who was acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has passed for 17 touchdowns, with only two interceptions. He has not had a pass intercepted in four games.

Star receiver Puka Nacua is back after sitting out an Oct. 19 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London because of an ankle injury. Right tackle Rob Havenstein also will return after being sidelined for three games because of an ankle injury.

Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020 before the Chargers hired him as their head coach.

Key injuries

Rams: WR Puka Nacua (ankle, will play); OL Rob Havenstein (ankle, will play); S Kam Kinchens (toe, will play); CB Darious Williams (shoulder, doubtful).

Saints: RB Alvin Kamara (ankle, questionable); WR Rashid Shaheed (hip, questionable); CB Alontae Taylor (shoulder, questionable).

How to watch and listen to Rams vs. Saints

The Rams and New Orleans Saints will play at 1:05 p.m. PDT Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The game will be shown on Fox in Southern California and will be available nationally via a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM, 93.1 FM and 1330 AM (Español).

Betting odds and lines for Rams vs. Saints

Who will win Rams vs. Saints?

Gary Klein’s pick: The Saints might not be as bad as their record indicates but the Rams have too much firepower — including the return of Nacua — to be knocked off track from winning their third game in a row. Rams 30, Saints 13

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.