When the Chargers head across the pond this weekend to face the Tennessee Titans, they’ll find a large number of enthused fans welcoming them to London for the first time in a decade.
“All over the UK, Chargers fans are hyped that their beloved team is playing in London,” said Rob Spragg, who runs the British Bolts social account. “The buzz is massive on social media and I know lots of Chargers fans can’t wait to meet up and enjoy the whole experience. Parties and tailgates have been arranged for the whole weekend.”
Philip Rivers noted how the Bolts were one of the first teams to play across the pond. Watching from afar the last 10 years, he noted how enthusiasm for the sport has only grown the more they’ve been exposed to it.
“The whole NFL in London was still brand new (when we were last here), so I think they were a little even more new to the game itself,” he said. “I imagine now after 23 games, it’s a little more calm, and obviously with the games before over there every year, but I just remember the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ every time the ball went in the air. It’ll be a heck of a crowd. A great NFL base over there.”
Being one of the first teams to play oversees combined with the team’s high-octane offensive fireworks has led to large contingent of Chargers fans throughout Europe.
“The NFL began its growth on the continent over the last fifteen years, which coincidentally overlapped with Philip Rivers’ career,” Cunneen explained. “It’s not coincidental that Europe was attracted to this team. When you consider the array of complete ballers that Rivers has had in his arsenals over the years, it’s hard not to fall for the Bolts. The trajectory of Antonio Gates’ TD records became a talking point over here and to see it happen was special, but seeing it live will be even better. It’s hard not to love Rivers’ passion and bite – something European sport is synonymous with.”
The game starts at 6:30 AM Pacific time. The current line is Chargers -6.5 (Over/Under 45)
Chargers Notes:
QB PHILIP RIVERS passed for 207 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 103.5 rating last week. Aims for his 8th in row with 2+ TD passes & 97+ rating. Has 100+ rating in each of his past 2. Passed for 275 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 117.6 rating in last meeting. Aims for 6th meeting in row with 100+ rating. In 7 career games vs. Ten., has 13 TD passes vs. 4 INTs for 105.9 rating. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 115.1 rating & 3rd with 15 TD passes. * RB MELVIN GORDON rushed for 132 yards & 3 TDs last week. Has 3 games with 150+ scrimmage yards in 2018, tied with TODD GURLEY for most in NFL. Aims for 4th in row with 120+ scrimmage yards. Had career-high 261 scrimmage yards (196 rush, 65 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. Leads AFC with 745 scrimmage yards & ranks 2nd in NFL with 9 TDs. RB AUSTIN EKELER had 60 rush yards in Week 6. * WR KEENAN ALLEN has 357 rec. yards (89.3 per game) & TD catch in his past 4 vs. AFC South. WR TYRELL WILLIAMS had 3 catches for 118 yards & 2 TDs in Week 6. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. AFC South. Had rec. TD in last meeting. * S DERWIN JAMES ties for lead among NFL rookies with 6 PD & ranks 3rd with 3.5 sacks. Is 1 of 2 NFL players (CARLOS DUNLAP) with 3+ sacks (3.5) & 5+ PD (6). DE MELVIN INGRAM has 21 TFL since 2017, tied for 3rd-most in AFC over span. DT DAMION SQUARE had 1.5 sacks last week. CB DESMOND KING had 2 INTs last week.
Titans Notes:
QB MARCUS MARIOTA passed for 313 yards with 3 pass TDs vs. 2 INTs for 88.6 rating & rushed for TD in only career meeting. Aims for 3rd in row vs. AFC West with 240+ pass yards. Since entering league in 2015, is 1 of 5 NFL QBs with 10,000+ pass yards (10,269) & 1,000+ rush yards (1,060). * RB DION LEWIS had 54 scrimmage yards (44 rush, 10 rec.) in only career meeting (10/29/17 with NE). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. AFC West with TD. RB DERRICK HENRY has 170 rush yards & 2 TDs in 4 career games vs. AFC West. Leads teams with 240 rush yards. * WR COREY DAVIS leads team with 27 catches & 385 rec. yards. WR TAJAE SHARPE had 4 catches for 58 yards in last meeting. * LB JAYON BROWN has sack in 2 of past 3. LB WESLEY WOODYARD aims for his 3rd in row on road with 12+ tackles. Had sack & 2 TFL in last meeting. Has 2 sacks & 4 TFL in his past 4 vs. AFC West. S KEVIN BYARD had INT in Week 6. Since 2017, ties for NFL lead with 9 INTs (DARIUS SLAY). Had 9 tackles, TFL & PD in last meeting. CB LOGAN RYAN has 5 PD, INT & FF in his past 3 vs. AFC West. DT JURRELL CASEY had 8 tackles in last meeting. Ties for 3rd among NFL DTs with 6 TFL this season. Since 2015, ties for 4th among NFL DTs with 32.5 sacks. CB MALCOLM BUTLER aims for his 3rd in row vs. AFC West with PD. LB BRIAN ORAKPO has 1.5 sacks, 2 PD & FF in his past 3 vs. AFC West.
Good morning from @BaldwinWallace University. It’s the Chargers’ first practice of the week in preparation for the Titans in London. #TENvsLAC @NFLUK pic.twitter.com/bkGKIgNTHO
— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) October 17, 2018
Chargers LB coach Richard Smith putting his guys through individual work here at Baldwin Wallace University just outside Cleveland as Bolts practice in preparation for Sunday’s contest against the Titans in London. pic.twitter.com/1OCenAPSu0
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) October 17, 2018