It wasn’t the most convincing win, but the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans 27-20 on Sunday afternoon. It was a game that felt eerily similar to the beginning of their loss to the Giants a few weeks ago, where worst-case scenarios unfolded early and often.

To kick things off, Justin Herbert threw a pick-six that quickly put the Chargers in a 7-0 hole. Later in the first half, star offensive tackle Joe Alt went down yet again with an injury, and it felt like déjà vu — another game that Los Angeles might let slip away against a team it should beat.

Ultimately, though, the Chargers battled back and managed to escape with a narrow seven-point victory. After that early interception, Herbert settled in and looked sharp the rest of the way. He followed the turnover with a touchdown pass to defensive lineman-turned-fullback Scott Matlock to tie the game at 7-7, then delivered a beautiful strike to Quentin Johnston for the team’s second touchdown of the day.

The second half belonged to the defense. Los Angeles came up with a massive goal-line stand, stuffing Tennessee on fourth-and-one to preserve the lead. Immediately after, the Chargers marched 99 yards down the field on a 15-play drive capped by a Herbert rushing touchdown, a sequence that ultimately sealed the win.

Despite the shaky start, Herbert finished strong, throwing for 250 yards with two passing touchdowns and adding 57 yards and another score on the ground. Still, this was another game that raised questions about the Chargers’ ability to look like the contender they should be.

Injuries continue to mount, with Joe Alt’s status now a serious concern, and while the Chargers have managed to stay afloat at 6-3, it feels like each week brings new setbacks to overcome. Sunday’s victory was far from pretty, but it keeps LA in the thick of the AFC playoff race.