San Diego @ Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2012 ) Tennessee 10, San Diego 38

The Tennessee Titans' defense has helped compensate for a sluggish offense through the first two games of the season. The Tennessee D will be put to the test Sunday afternoon as the Titans entertain the high-octane San Diego Chargers in their home opener. It's one of the rarest matchups of the NFL season, with the Chargers and Titans facing off just nine times over the past 20 years - including a wild-card showdown in January 2008, won 17-6 by San Diego.

While Tennessee has struggled on the offensive end of the ball - ranked dead last in passing yards per game - the Chargers have had no such problems. Philip Rivers leads a rejuvenated offense that is averaging more than 30 points per game. The only problem: San Diego has allowed as many points as it has scored, thanks to a defense that has surrendered the most passing yards in the league through two weeks.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Titans -3. O/U: 43.5

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (1-1): Rivers was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 419 yards and three scores in last week's 33-30 win over Philadelphia. The veteran quarterback hopes the team's improved offense will lead to more league-wide respect. "When you have three years like we did as a .500 team, you lose a little bit of respect as far as around the league," Rivers told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It's going to take a while to earn that back ... It was all about the Eagles last week. It was all about Houston (in Week 1). You've got to string some games together before you earn some respect back."

ABOUT THE TITANS (1-1): The focus in Tennessee has been on disgruntled wide receiver Kenny Britt - specifically, his claim on Twitter earlier this week that the free-agent-to-be would almost certainly not be back with the Titans next year. Britt's frustration likely stemmed from being benched for part of Sunday's 30-24 overtime loss to Houston after he earned a holding call and struggled with blocking. Head coach Mike Munchak downplayed the incident earlier this week, telling the Tennesseean: "I have no problem with Kenny. He is fine. He is part of our football team and he is going to help us win on Sunday."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Titans RB Chris Johnson comes into the week ranked sixth in rushing yards (166) but second in attempts (50), averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.

2. Last week's 400-yard passing performance was the fourth of Rivers' career, and his first since 2010.

3. San Diego has won the last nine encounters and is averaging just under 38 points in the last three meetings.

PREDICTION: Chargers 27, Titans 17