The Chargers edge rusher group had some questions surrounding its group entering Sunday.
With Joey Bosa on a snap count and Khalil Mack questionable heading into the game, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree took matters into their own hands.
By the time Week 10 was over, Dupree was dancing on the bench in front of amped up SoFi Stadium crowd in Sunday's 27-17 home win over the Titans.
"They came here to see a show," Dupree said. "We got to give them a show."
That show included a team season-high 7.0 sacks, with four of them coming from the duo of Tuipulotu and Dupree in relief of the star outside linebackers.
Bosa played 20 defensive snaps Sunday, while Mack played just four.
"It's important that we put the game on our shoulders, the edge group," Bosa said. "We know we have talent, but we know the way we play we carry that energy and it's important for us to have an impact."
Both Tuipulotu and Dupree in particular knew coming in they would be relied upon on the edge and set out to deliver in whatever capacity they were needed.
Safe to say, they delivered — in a massive way.
"We knew that coming in," Tuipulotu said. "It's not pressure."
"When you're missing your top dogs like that, you have to make sure you step up to the plate," Dupree added. "We got to make sure we got K-Mack's back. Each and every day he puts it all into it for us, we have to put all into it for him."
Sunday's impressive performance from Tuipulotu was reflective of the momentum he's gained over the last couple of weeks.
The second-year outside linebacker finished the afternoon with 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. He has now notched a sack in three straight games and has multiple sacks in consecutive games.
Tuipulotu generated five pressures and two sacks on 26 pass rushes (19.2 percent pressure) according to NFL Pro, his second-straight game with five pressures and the highest-pressure rate in a game in his career.
"We don't come out looking for sacks," Tuipulotu said. "We just come out trying to play hard, make plays and have fun. We don't focus on the stats.
"We play ball and the stats come to us," Tuipulotu added.
After not notching a sack through the first six games, the well has opened up for the 2023 second-round pick.
According to NFL Pro, Tuipulotu has recorded a league-high 5.5 sacks since Week 8, while his 14 pressures over that span are the most by any Chargers pass rusher (and are tied for the eighth-most in the NFL).
The 22-year-old continues to impress his veteran teammates with every passing game.
"Dog," Dupree said about Tuipulotu. "He's a dog. Plays every special teams, plays defense, don't really come out the game.
"He's one of those guys you can never count out," Dupree added. "He's always going to make plays."
Mack added: "The motor and the willingness to continue to get better. We see it day-in and day-out. I see it during the week in practice. He has all the intangibles. The sky is the limit for that guy."
Dupree, meanwhile, arguably had his best game in powder blue.
The 31-year-old notched 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss and forced a fumble on a third down to shut the door on the Titans in the fourth quarter.
"Definitely [feeling good]," Dupree said about his game. "Just preparation. Going out there and knowing that there's big moments, key moments in the game we have to go out there and secure.
"Those are the types of plays we need to make in those critical moments," Dupree added.
Dupree was also second behind Tuipulotu with four total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus' initial data.
A 10-year veteran in the NFL, it's not a surprise the performance Dupree was able to put together against one of his former teams.
Sunday was another example of the high level he can provide whenever the Bolts need someone to step up on the edge.
"Everyone knows Bud and the level he's played at," Tuipulotu said about Dupree.
Whether it's the stars making plays or those who stepped up, Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh believes the defensive mentality in the unit is allowing everyone to thrive.
"It's the type of team — and I get this from them — you get excited for other guys' success," Harbaugh said. "You are happy for other guys' success."
The Chargers became the fourth team in last 40 seasons to allow 20 or fewer points in each of their first nine games of a season after another dominant defensive performance.
They also continue to allow the fewest points per game in the NFL (13.1) after Sunday's slate of games.
The defense continues to fly high no matter who is up.
"To hold a team under 20 points, y'all know how hard it is in this league," safety Derwin James, Jr., said.
Linebacker Daiyan Henley added: "For us to be a good defense, we just go day-in and day-out. It starts with our preparation. That shows up every Sunday."
