Wild Card 2019: Chargers @ Ravens
- FootballNewsLeague
- Jan 2, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 3, 2019
The Los Angeles Chargers are flying to the East coast to face the Baltimore Ravens. In a rematch from a very hostile environment, they are both coming off monumental division wins; with the Ravens squeezing right into the top of the AFC north.
The Bolts are 3.5 points under dogs and have a 7-1 road record despite basically playing all 16 games on the road. (They won’t have a home crowd ever in their small soccer stadium.) The last time these teams played, the Ravens had 4 sacks and 3 turnovers, 2 of which were interceptions. The Chargers are getting Hunter Henry back which is a huge upgrade for the Tight End position. He is a big red zone and middle of the field threat. He'll help open the running lanes for Running Back Melvin Gordon III which can tremendously help against possibly the #1 defense with his blocking skills.
It should also help Quarterback Philip Rivers keep upright and less grounded. Rivers is 37 and a top 10 QB year in and year out, if he has a solid O-line. Not to mention his top 5 WR core that has some of the best route running and separation skills in the game. If they can do that and keep the train full steam of big plays and 3rd down conversions going, Rivers should not have a problem converting drives into TD’s.
A negative note is that they are depleted in the LB core after Jatavis Brown was ruled out with an ankle injury on Dec 31 for the rest of the season. They have been very mediocre at best in the run game, and they need a backup LB or Defensive Ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III to make impactful plays in the run game. Their stud rookie Safety, Derwin James, has been playing lights out, and should be another key component to ensuring Raven's QB Lamar Jackson and RB Gus Edwards are kept in check. If they can cause a few turnovers, or even stops, they can take the lead against a team that is only built to run. They’ll win this game and prove why they have that 12-4 record.
Statistically, the Ravens aren't in a bad spot. Since 2012, the rookie QB’s are 1-5 in the playoffs. However, Lamar Jackson is the youngest QB ever to start in the playoffs, and he is looking to keep his "ground and pound" momentum rolling. Since Jackson became the starter in Week 11, he has led the league in rushing yards with 229.5 yards average per game with him at the helm of a new era. However the Chargers kept them in a great containment with 159 total rushing yards in Week 16, even when they have been running over everyone (literally). If Jackson can keep up the efficiency running, and if he can make impactful precision throws to keep the chains moving, it’ll be a long day for the Bolt's Defense.
They have gone 6-1 with him, not just as a QB, but as a winning football player. He gets one of his favorite weapons back this week in WR Chris Moore. Moore has been he's ol' reliable and a great asset on special teams.
The Ravens need to continue to be super aggressive when it comes to 3rd and shorts, and even 4th downs by going for it with superb play calling. They have had major success on both sides of the ball by going all out on impactful moments. The D-line showed up with C.J. Mosley last week against Baker Mayfield. They caused an interception when it mattered the most by faking a blitz with Mosely, and having him drop back right where his favorite target was.
Baltimore's defense will keep the pressure on the Chargers. They can and will blitz about 90% of the time, if not more, against this middle of the pack offensive line. Rivers isn’t mobile, and he's not afraid to make throws in tight coverage or in man to man. This will turn into costly turnovers like the first play of Week 16. If they can keep the ball out of Rivers' hands by taking 10-12 minute long methodical drives, and if Lamar Jackson can keep the ball off the ground (12 fumbles this year), they will win this game by 10+ points. But if Jackson turns the ball over, it’s bedtime for this team. They have to be in front, scoring all game, to win and prove that they are the team to not play this year. And that is why they picked Jackson in the first round and as their future.
Final Verdict
Josh Alvarez: The Browns gave the blueprint to beating the Ravens, and in gaining RB Austin Ekeler and TE Hunter Henry (which were out for their Week 16 meeting) I choose the Chargers to win. I believe that they want that sweet revenge and know how much this game means for the future.
Ryan Baucum: The Chargers should win this one. This Ravens team is just too young and Lamar Jackson’s fumbling problems this season will be enough of an issue that they will not be able to beat the Chargers.
Fun Betting Stats: The Ravens have the 6th best odds to win super bowl at +1300 and the chargers follow right after at +1500.
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