AFC SUNDAY WILD CARD PLAYOFF PREVIEW:

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (12-4) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6)

IN A NUTSHELL

The team no one watched until it started the season 7-2 visits the team no one wanted to watch until Lamar Jackson replaced Joe Flacco and turned around an offense that had been as scintillating as a Windows 95 screensaver. 

The Ravens beat the Chargers 22-10 just last week, so this game is a compelling rematch between one of the best wild-card teams of recent memory and a division champion with a knack for manufacturing wins. 

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Jackson only made the Ravens offense slightly better than it was under Flacco. But it certainly made the Ravens different, and late-season opponents struggled to adapt to the option threat while the Ravens defense responded well to not having to jog back onto the field after as many three-and-outs. The Ravens went 6-1 after their bye, proving that they are better at their grimy brand of football when they are grinding out yardage on the ground than when they were pretending to have a normal offense. 

The Chargers may be the NFL's most-balanced team: great running and passing games, strong run and pass defense (with both a formidable pass rush and sound coverage), plenty of depth, good-enough special teams. But they were trapped in the AFC West with the Chiefs, forcing them to prove themselves on the road.

KEY FOR THE RAVENS

Jackson fumbled twice on Sunday in a narrow victory over the Browns, giving him 12 fumbles on the year, four of them lost. Many of the fumbles come on option pitches and exchanges, illustrating one of the downsides of executing an option offense.

Jackson cannot afford to be sloppy with the ball against Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa and the Chargers defense. If he can avoid turnovers, the Ravens can control the ball and the clock.

KEY FOR THE CHARGERS

The Chargers have been outscored 98-78 in first quarters this year. They have come roaring back for a 151-66 edge in second quarters, but they do not want to fall behind early on the road against the Ravens defense. If they can take an early lead, they have a better chance of avoiding what happened last time. 

PRIOR MEETING

The Ravens' victory in Los Angeles last Saturday night proved just how hard they can be to defeat when they lull you into their type of game. The Chargers stopped Jackson on the ground, took a brief third-quarter lead and forced multiple three-and-outs, only to lose on a Jackson touchdown pass and a Tavon Young fumble recovery because their offense never established any rhythm.

BOTTOM LINE

The Chargers are the better team on paper. The Ravens have a long history of being unpredictable—and dangerous—in the postseason.