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.
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