FIRST START FOR BROWN: With middle linebacker Colin McCarthy inactive due to an ankle injury, Will Witherspoon, normally the starting weakside linebacker, moved to the middle in place of McCarthy.  Zach Brown, a 2012 second-round draft pick out of North Carolina, was in the starting lineup for the first time in his career on the weak side.

WITHERSPOON SACK: Late in the first quarter, linebacker Will Witherspoon notched his first sack of the season and 26^th sack of his career when he dropped Philip Rivers for a two-yard loss. 

FIRST SACK FOR MARTIN: In the second quarter, rookie defensive tackle Mike Martin, a third-round pick from Michigan, recorded his first career sack, dropping Philip Rivers for a four-yard loss. 

WASHINGTON EXTENDS CATCH STREAK: With a 16-yard reception in the second quarter, Nate Washington extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 64, including all 50 games he has played with the Titans.

BIRONAS EXTENDS FIELD GOAL STREAK: With a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter, Rob Bironas extended his streak to 18 consecutive field made goals, tied (Al Del Greco, 1995-96) for the fifth-best streak in franchise history.

BIRONAS EXTENDS ANOTHER STREAK: Rob Bironas’ 23-yard field goal extended another streak of his.  It marked his 12th consecutive game with a field goal, which is tied (Bironas in 2008, Gary Anderson in 2003, Al Del Greco in 1998) for the third-longest streak in franchise history. 

VERNER INTERCEPTION: In the second quarter, cornerback Alterraun Verner recorded his fifth career interception, picking off a Philip Rivers pass intended for Malcom Floyd. 

MORGAN GETS HIS FIRST SACK OF SEASON: Late in the second quarter, Derrick Morgan recorded his fifth career sack, taking down Philip Rivers for a five-yard loss on third down.

THREE SACKS IN FIRST HALF: The Titans recorded three sacks in the first half, getting one from Mike Martin, Derrick Morgan and Will Witherspoon.  It was their highest sack total in a half since getting five in the first half at Dallas on Oct. 10, 2010.

HAWKINS PROVIDES SPECIAL TEAMS BOOST: In the third quarter, Lavelle Hawkins provided a boost with a career-long 71-yard kickoff return.  It set up a Titans touchdown three plays later.  In the game, Hawkins returned four kickoffs for 130 total yards (32.5 avg.).

WRIGHT GETS FIRST TOUCHDOWN: Titans rookie WR Kendall Wright recorded his first career touchdown reception in the third quarter on a 15-yard pass from Jake Locker.  Wright totaled two receptions for 24 yards in the game.

LOCKER’S SIXTH CAREER TD PASS: Jake Locker notched his sixth career touchdown pass with a 15-yard strike to Kendall Wright in the third quarter.   Locker has now completed a touchdown pass in the last five games he has played, including one in each of his first two starts.

CAREER-LONG RUN FOR LOCKER: In the second quarter, Jake Locker gained 20 yards on a run, converting a third-and-nine from the Titans 15-yard line.  The run set a new career long for Locker.

KERN BOOMS 63-YARD PUNT: In the second quarter, punter Brett Kern booted a 63-yard punt.  It was his longest punt since a 64-yarder at Cleveland on Oct. 2, 2011.

ANOTHER HUGE DAY FOR KERN: Punter Brett Kern continued his recent hot streak by averaging 51.6 yards and 48.6 net yards on seven punts against the Chargers.   His net average set a new career high, more than two yards better than his previous high of 46.5 net yards at Seattle on Jan. 3, 2010.  The effort against the Chargers also ranked third in franchise history, trailing only a pair of games by Greg Montgomery’s (49.8 net average against San Diego, 9/19/93; 49.4 against Buffalo on 12/27/92).  In his last seven games, dating back to Dec. 4, 2011 at Buffalo, Kern has produced four of the team’s all-time top 11 net punting games (stat tracked since 1976).

STEVENS RECORDS BIG GAIN: Tight end Craig Stevens’ 46-yard reception in the fourth quarter was the second-longest catch of his career.

HEAVY HEART FOR JOHNSON: Running back Chris Johnson started the game after learning earlier in the morning his 100-year-old great grandmother had passed away. 

INACTIVES: Tennessee’s seven inactives for the game were quarterback Rusty Smith, defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks, running back Javon Ringer, linebacker Colin McCarthy, tackle Mike Otto, guard Deuce Lutui and safety Al Afalava.