Ravens and Chargers: Week 8 Preview and Prediction
By Brett Foote
Nov 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Week 8: Baltimore Ravens (1-6) vs. San Diego Chargers (2-5)
When: Sunday, 11/01/2015 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Live Stream: NFL.com
Radio: 98 Rock, Westwood One
Radio Crew: Gerry Sandusky, Stan White, Qadry Ismail
TV: CBS
Preview: Who would have guessed that these two playoff contenders would have a combined record of 3-11 after seven weeks of NFL games? It’s an astounding reality in this year’s NFL season, one that has been filled with more parity than usual.
The Ravens are one of 3 teams that have only one win so far, though none of their six losses have come by more than 8 points. They blew their latest fourth quarter comeback shot at a win on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals as Joe Flacco threw an interception in the end zone.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers have played well in many aspects of the game, particularly on passing offense (1st in the NFL) and passing defense (9th). They also sport the league’s best overall offense, racking up an impressive 430.7 yards per game but only 23.6 points per (12th).
Their issues have come on the ground behind an injury depleted offensive line, as the Chargers sport only the NFL’s 29th ranked rushing offense (87.1 ypg). The same can be said for their rushing defense, which is better than only the Cleveland Browns (31st), giving up a whopping 132.1 yards per game.
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The Ravens problems have been almost the opposite of the Chargers. They sport the 10th best rushing defense and 12th best passing offense, but only the 19th best rushing offense and 28th ranked passing defense.
After giving up an almost perfect game to Carson Palmer last week (20/29, 275 yards, 2 TD’s, 0 INT’s), the Ravens secondary will once again have their hands full against a red hot Phillip Rivers. Rivers leads the NFL with an amazing 2,452 yards through 7 games, connecting on 69.1% of his throws and sporting a 15/7 touchdown to interception ratio.
The Ravens will have to generate consistent pressure up front and slow down the Chargers’ pass catchers to have a shot at winning their second game of the year. It’s a tall order for an underachieving unit, and it’s hard to imagine Joe Flacco playing catchup if the Chargers jump ahead to an early lead.
Betting line: Ravens -3 -20, Chargers 51u, -10
Prediction: Chargers 24, Ravens 17
Next: Cheers and Jeers for Week 7