Statistics don't lie, or so they say.
Considering the fact that the San Diego Chargers boast both the NFL's top-ranked offense and defense, then how is it possible that Norv Turner's club has limped to a 2-5 mark this season?
Well, perhaps San Diego's opponent on Sunday can answer that question when it pays a visit to Qualcomm Stadium.
While the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans (5-2) do not have gaudy numbers, they do boast an NFL-best 12 interceptions - including 11 in their last three games (all victories).
So, while Philip Rivers quarterbacks the Chargers' high-octane passing attack and his 2,344 yards remains on pace to break Hall of Famer Dan Marino's single-season record, the team's AFC-high 18 turnovers have proven costly.
And, should they continue, will be fatal to the team's quest for a fifth consecutive AFC West crown.
Case in point: last Sunday.
Four first-half turnovers resulted in San Diego staring up at a 17-point deficit, thereby forcing the Chargers into a one-dimensional offense. Rivers completed 34 of 50 passes for 336 yards and a touchdown, but Kris Brown's 50-yard field goal attempt caromed off the upright in the final seconds of a 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots.
The setback was San Diego's third straight and has created concern in Southern California.
Favorite target Antonio Gates was limited last week with a toe injury, although he reeled in four receptions for 50 yards and a score.
As for towering wideout Malcom Floyd, he is expected to miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Fellow wideout Legedu Naanee is also plagued by a hamstring ailment which sidelined him for two weeks, but he is expected to play this Sunday.
As an added problem, may we present Titans running back Chris Johnson.
Gold teeth and outlandish claims aside, Johnson is admittedly far off his set pace for 2,500 yards, but his 662 yards and seven touchdowns through seven games aren't too shabby.
Johnson didn't score and quarterback Vince Young didn't even play last week, but the Titans used a late surge to record a 37-19 triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fueling the attack was promising wideout Kenny Britt, who sat out the first quarter for disciplinary reasons before torching the Eagles with seven receptions for 225 yards and scores of 26, 80 and 16 yards.
Now, Britt will have Young under center, as the former third overall pick has returned to practice after being sidelined with both knee and ankle injuries suffered in a 30-3 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars two weeks ago.
The Chargers better learn to keep these studs in check - in addition to holding onto the football - if they have any designs on making their patented late-season push toward the playoffs.
San Diego, which leads the all-time series by a 24-16-1 margin, routed Tennessee by a 42-17 score on Christmas Day 2009 in the teams’ last meeting.