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Chargers vs. Ravens (1 Viewer)

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  • Chargers -2 1/2

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  • Ravens +2 1/2

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Gr00vus

Gr00vus

Footballguy
In one of the best match ups of the week, two unbeaten, and somewhat untested squads match up this week in a game with early playoff implications. Sheridan had the Chargers as 2 and 1/2 point favorites on the road. What's your take?

Being the pessimistic Charger fan that I am I see it this way:

Defensive Front 7: Chargers > Ravens: Jamal, Shawne and the gang are a bit younger and quicker than Ray Ray's gang

Defensive Secondary: Ravens >>>> Chargers: No contest, even with Reed questionable

Offensive Line: Ravens >> Chargers: Ravens are more tested and proven

Tight End: Chargers >> Ravens: Gates is the best, but Heap's pretty good, Chargers second string TE's are better than the Ravens'

Receivers: Ravens > Chargers: McCardell is banged up and probably not quite as good as Mason even at full strength the rest are pretty even

Quarterback: Ravens > Chargers: McNair winding down his career, Rivers just starting his up, sight edge to the seasoned vet

Running Back: Chargers >>>> Ravens: No contest LaDainian + Turner + Neal, no other running back combo sniffs 'em

Special Teams: Ravens >> Chargers: Kaeding still can't kick deep very often and in what could be a field position battle that could make the difference

Coaching: Chargers >> Ravens: Marty, Cam and Wade may not have any championships, but they're still better than Billick and his staff (and his ego)

I'm taking the Ravens on the moneyline in this one, I think going into Baltimore with the inexperienced Rivers is going to be tough sledding for the young Chargers.

What say you all?

 
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I say Ravens stuff the line and so limit LT and Rivers is shaken and makes a few big mistakes, including one ill-advised pass that's picked off and ran back for a TD.

I hope I'm wrong.

 
Whichever side can establish the run and force the opposing defense to respect it should win. SD has a huge advantage with LT. I'm not all that impressed with the Ravens' running game. Their line is not opening up holes against even mediocre defenses and Lewis does not have great vision. Rivers is going to have to have a really bad game for the Ravens to overcome this.

 
I'm a Baltimore homer, and break things down slightly differently from you.

Chargers Run vs. Ravens Rush D

Edge: Ravens

Ravens are allowing a ridiculous 34.3 ypg rushing with an average ypc of 1.8. LT is great, but so are the Ravens and they will be keying on LT, forcing Rivers to beat them through the air.

Chargers Pass vs. Ravens D

Edge: Ravens

The jury is still out on Rivers, though I think he looks outstanding. However the Ravens lead the NFL in sacks (16) and INTs (7), and Rivers might struggle with the variety of blitzes and coverages the Ravens have been employing, particularly if the Chargers can't dictate with their running game.

Ravens Run vs. Chargers D

Edge: Chargers

Jamal doesn't have the burst of old, and I hope the Ravens will continue to work in Mike A. and Musa Smith. The Ravens are only getting 3.6 ypc despite playing some poor run defenses.

Ravens Pass vs. Chargers D

Edge: Chargers

The Ravens' interior line cannot stop pressure up the middle. McNair is taking a beating. I am worried about what Merriman will do to him.

Intangibles

Edge: Ravens

Ravens seem genuinely peeved this week about being a 3-point underdog at home despite their 3-0 mark. Plus, they are always tough at home (6-2 the two previous years, 7-1 in 2003). San Diego is making the long trip east for a 1 p.m. game. Also, the stadium will be rocking as people around here are starting to guzzle the purple Kool Aid. I see this as a very tight game, and will give the edge to the Ravens because of homefield, Matt Stover, and Rivers getting his first road start vs. a top-ranked NFL D.

 
As we all anticipate this great game let's take a moment to thank CBS for:

Not showing this in HD.

Giving us the semi-coherent broadcast team of Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon.

While I appreciate one week of not being subjected to Gus Johnson, I still can't believe this game isn't in HD.

 
While I think this will be a close game, I really dont see the ravens putting up a whole lot of points against the chargers. McNair looked shaky versus the Raiders with 16-33 143 yards and 1 td and 1 int. And, his qb rating is 78.3. He looked better against the browns, but im not giving him alot of credit for that. The chargers have a pretty good pass rush, so I think he will have problems. In addition, Lewis has little chance of having success against the chargers front seven. LT's performance is going to be what wins or loses this game. I dont think the chargers will have rivers throughing much, you hardly want manning going against that secondary.

What it comes down to is if LT is able to produce, and I think he will becasue well, hes LT. The Ravens offense wont put up many points, so I thik this will be a low scoring affair. I see the chargers winning by a narrow margin.

 
Could dump offs/screens to Tomlinson be effective against the Ravens, or are their linebackers still too quick for that?

Also what's Reed's status practice wise/news from the homers wise?

 
The_Man said:
Chargers Run vs. Ravens Rush DEdge: RavensRavens are allowing a ridiculous 34.3 ypg rushing with an average ypc of 1.8. LT is great, but so are the Ravens and they will be keying on LT, forcing Rivers to beat them through the air.
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While that is impressive you need to put that in perspective, the 3 teams they've played have averaged about 55YPG in rushing offense.
 
Screens aren't usually effective vs. the Ravens. Their D Line is very active -- I can't believe how many times Kelly Gregg is involved in breaking up a screen -- and their OLB/DE hybrid guys like Suggs and Adalius Thomas are very good at recognizing them.

Dump-offs are a major issue, however. The LBs who aren't rushing the passer take very deep drops so they can keep the WRs in front of them and then blow them up after the catch on crossing patterns. That means there could be a lot of open space and running room for LT on dump-offs. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up with 6-8 catches for 60+ yards. Maybe even more yards receiving than rushing.

 
The_Man said:
wouldn't be surprised to see him end up with 6-8 catches for 60+ yards. Maybe even more yards receiving than rushing.
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I was thinking something similar to that myself. I bet Cam is figuring out how to exploit that as we speak - if he hasn't already.
 
Chargers coming off the bye..Ravens aren't as good as they might appear..and, is Steve McNair going to stay veritcal in this game,or is Merrman going to put him on his back early and often? Jamal is an also-ran RB, so I can't see him doing much vs. SD..leaving McNair to win it with his arm..tough matchup for Baltimore..

 
The_Man said:
Also, the stadium will be rocking as people around here are starting to guzzle the purple Kool Aid.
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I'm still waiting for an explanation of the purple kool aid. :hot:
 
bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
close tough nasty game.Late FG wins it.
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Agreed.If I had to guess I'd say McNair manages the clock in the 4th quarter so BAL has the ball last. McNair has stood tall in the pocket and taken the abuse before, it's early enough in the season he won't fade. Veteran receiver like Mason exploits an always overly aggressive Jammer and draws a critical pass interference penalty to keep a late drive alive and moves Stover into FG position. Game over.I'd be more optimistic if the BAL LB's weren't playing so well. Lewis looks great in coverage this year and could really limit Tomlinson/Gates receptions. This should be a growing experience for Rivers. It'll be interesting how he does against BAL since he's had two week to prepare. If he does find a way to pull this game out it would certainly answer a lot of those leadership "?"s imo.I think both teams are very good but headed in oppisite directions. If this game was being played mid-season instead of so early I might have taken a youthful Charger team vs the Raves but in this instance it's hard to bet against all the healthy veteran leadership on the Ravens. McNair makes a world of difference to that team.
 
Crazy man - going by this poll at this time:

Chargers -2 1/2: 32

Ravens + 2 1/2: 24

Ravens money line: 8

The money would be coming down just about exactly even (unless everyone saying money line was actually on the money line). Vegas sure knows its business doesn't it?

 
nygiants56 said:
Chargers coming off the bye..Ravens aren't as good as they might appear..and, is Steve McNair going to stay veritcal in this game,or is Merrman going to put him on his back early and often? Jamal is an also-ran RB, so I can't see him doing much vs. SD..leaving McNair to win it with his arm..tough matchup for Baltimore..
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i agree :goodposting:
 
Gr00vus said:
I'm taking the Ravens on the moneyline in this one, I think going into Baltimore with the inexperienced Rivers is going to be tough sledding for the young Chargers.What say you all?
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I think the Bolts make a statement this weekend, and win going away. I'm a homer, but Rivers is an improvement from everything I've seen thus far, and the San Diego offense is light years ahead of the Baltimore O that had 3 pts in 3 quarters before rallying last week against Cleveland.I'm giving the 2.5, and not thinking twice. The Chargers are coming off of a bye, and are hungry to show they're not a fluke. Remember, this team thrives on the road, beating Indy and NE last year, and losing to Philly only on a last minute blocked FG returned for a TD. Baltimore is very overrated at this point, IMO.
 
We will learn a LOT of things this week when this game is complete. The Chargers are rested and ready to rip. They're doing well so far. Can Rivers continue to improve and give some semblance of a passing game, and keep the pressure off of LT? Will the Ravens be able to shut LT down?

 
The key will be if one side can neutralize, or better yet take advantage of, the aggressiveness of the other defense.

The Ravens have blitzed like crazy. Can Rivers recognize and react to the blitz and get rid of the ball without giving it away? I think he'll have at least one devastating turnover (esp. if reed is back there)

Merriman has abused some overmatched tackles. Can Ogden handle Merriman well enough to slow the rush and keep McNair upright? Can the other side of the line hold up as well? I think McNair will get hit hard several times, but probably not to the point he becomes gunshy

Can Lewis be at least moderately productive to slow the SD rush? This is where I think problems occur for Baltimore if they try to run straight at them.

Can either team use misdirection to take advantage of overpursuit by the defense? I think Baltimore can be successful by running delays at the rush (letting the ends rush past the play), but SD will probably get some screens or dump-offs to LT just past the blitz as well.

The ravens offense has done little this year, but from what I've heard this week, driving in the 4th quarter did a lot to boost their confidence. I think they will come out and execute better this week as they are starting to believe in each other.

If Reed and Suggs can't go, then I think SD takes it. If they're in there, I think it will be real close.

Edit to add: I'm a ravens homer if that wasn't already known/obvious.

 
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I'm a San Diego fan and the Chargers have looked great. But their victories have come against Oakland and Tennessee - I'd be more impressed if they had beaten Ohio State or USC :lmao:

This is Rivers first start against one of the better NFL defenses. It will be interesting to see how he performs.

I'll grudgingly go with the home team.

 
I still don't understand why the Ravens are underdogs. They've proven more by beating Cleveland and TB on the road(albeit not that much more but its still tougher opponents than SD has played), and they're at home.

 
Gr00vus said:
In one of the best match ups of the week, two unbeaten, and somewhat untested squads match up this week in a game with early playoff implications. Sheridan had the Chargers as 2 and 1/2 point favorites on the road. What's your take?Being the pessimistic Charger fan that I am I see it this way:Defensive Front 7: Chargers > Ravens: Jamal, Shawne and the gang are a bit younger and quicker than Ray Ray's gangDefensive Secondary: Ravens >>>> Chargers: No contest, even with Reed questionableOffensive Line: Ravens >> Chargers: Ravens are more tested and provenTight End: Chargers >> Ravens: Gates is the best, but Heap's pretty good, Chargers second string TE's are better than the Ravens'Receivers: Ravens > Chargers: McCardell is banged up and probably not quite as good as Mason even at full strength the rest are pretty evenQuarterback: Ravens > Chargers: McNair winding down his career, Rivers just starting his up, sight edge to the seasoned vetRunning Back: Chargers >>>> Ravens: No contest LaDainian + Turner + Neal, no other running back combo sniffs 'emSpecial Teams: Ravens >> Chargers: Kaeding still can't kick deep very often and in what could be a field position battle that could make the differenceCoaching: Chargers >> Ravens: Marty, Cam and Wade may not have any championships, but they're still better than Billick and his staff (and his ego)I'm taking the Ravens on the moneyline in this one, I think going into Baltimore with the inexperienced Rivers is going to be tough sledding for the young Chargers.What say you all?
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very good and unbiased preview imo. I agree with everything you said except the coaching staff.
 
Gr00vus said:
Could dump offs/screens to Tomlinson be effective against the Ravens, or are their linebackers still too quick for that?Also what's Reed's status practice wise/news from the homers wise?
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I think this is what the Chargers need to do to win. It's going to be very hard to run on the Ravens straight up and dump offs could do the trick. They aren't going to try and win with Rivers' arm if they don't have to and will need to keep the defense off-balance to do it. 10 catches for LT isn't out of the question IMO.
 
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Assani Fisher said:
I still don't understand why the Ravens are underdogs. They've proven more by beating Cleveland and TB on the road(albeit not that much more but its still tougher opponents than SD has played), and they're at home.
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It's mainly due to the feeling that SD's defense is good enough to stop the Raven's offense and that Ravens won't be able to stop LT and Turner. I was surprised at the line myself and think it should be a pick 'em at most, if not the Ravens favored by 1.
 
cstu said:
Assani Fisher said:
I still don't understand why the Ravens are underdogs. They've proven more by beating Cleveland and TB on the road(albeit not that much more but its still tougher opponents than SD has played), and they're at home.
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It's mainly due to the feeling that SD's defense is good enough to stop the Raven's offense and that Ravens won't be able to stop LT and Turner. I was surprised at the line myself and think it should be a pick 'em at most, if not the Ravens favored by 1.
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If the game was in San Diego, the Chargers would be an 8.5 pt favorite. Think about that.
 
I just picture Philip Rivers getting thrown around Chris Simms style on Sunday by the Balt defense.

Baltimore 17

San Diego 3

 
Mungo Burrows said:
The key will be if one side can neutralize, or better yet take advantage of, the aggressiveness of the other defense.

The Ravens have blitzed like crazy. Can Rivers recognize and react to the blitz and get rid of the ball without giving it away? I think he'll have at least one devastating turnover (esp. if reed is back there)

Merriman has abused some overmatched tackles. Can Ogden handle Merriman well enough to slow the rush and keep McNair upright? Can the other side of the line hold up as well? I think McNair will get hit hard several times, but probably not to the point he becomes gunshy

Can Lewis be at least moderately productive to slow the SD rush? This is where I think problems occur for Baltimore if they try to run straight at them.

Can either team use misdirection to take advantage of overpursuit by the defense? I think Baltimore can be successful by running delays at the rush (letting the ends rush past the play), but SD will probably get some screens or dump-offs to LT just past the blitz as well.

The ravens offense has done little this year, but from what I've heard this week, driving in the 4th quarter did a lot to boost their confidence. I think they will come out and execute better this week as they are starting to believe in each other.

If Reed and Suggs can't go, then I think SD takes it. If they're in there, I think it will be real close.

Edit to add: I'm a ravens homer if that wasn't already known/obvious.
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I think the fact the Bolts have had 2 weeks to prepare, more than neutralizes the fact they have to travel east for an early game .. the Ravens have key personel; Reed & Suggs that are questionable or at best dinged up and Suggs to the Ravens is like Merriman to the Chargers and we all know that Reed has no equal when he's on his game ...

the Chargers have the ability to run the ball with possibly the best 1 2 RB punch the NFL has seen (LJ & Priest would be every bit the equal ... maybe) and they have an armour coated escort in Lorenzo Neal who's eyes will be squarely focused on Mr Lewis all afternoon ... that match up alone should be worth the price of admission

the Ravens had a tough time beating the Browns last week & weren't near as impressive in week 2 vs a pathetic Raiders squad as they should have been ...

McNair is still getting his feet under him in Baltimore, is a definate improvement over Boller but still is an aging vet, he'll spend a lot of time picking himself off the turf Sunday ..

Jamal Lewis is not the RB that ran for 2000 + a couple years ago, he hasn't looked the same for 2 years running and the Bolts D will take the dance outta his step

Theres just no way the Ravens will keep up with the Chargers in this one ...

Chargers 20

Ravens 10

:popcorn:

 
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Mapmaker said:
I think the fact the Bolts have had 2 weeks to prepare, more than neutralizes the fact they have to travel east for an early game ..
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That's why I didn't bring it up as a major factor. I'm not liking the fact that the Ravens face SD and @Den coming off their byes on successive weeks.
Mapmaker said:
the Ravens have key personel; Reed & Suggs that are questionable or at best dinged up and Suggs to the Ravens is like Merriman to the Chargers and we all know that Reed has no equal when he's on his game ...
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Suggs is NOT Merriman. He's a talent, but the ravens have enough talent and flexibility at the DE/LB spots that they can cover that without too much of a drop off. Reed, however, is indispensible.
Mapmaker said:
the Chargers have the ability to run the ball with possibly the best 1 2 RB punch the NFL has seen (LJ & Priest would be every bit the equal ... maybe) and they have an armour coated escort in Lorenzo Neal who's eyes will be squarely focused on Mr Lewis all afternoon ... that match up alone should be worth the price of admission
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The one to watch out for will be Bart Scott, IMHO. But I agree, the matchup of LT vs. "LB Ravens" should be fun to watch..
Mapmaker said:
the Ravens had a tough time beating the Browns last week & weren't near as impressive in week 2 vs a pathetic Raiders squad as they should have been ... McNair is still getting his feet under him in Baltimore, is a definate improvement over Boller but still is an aging vet, he'll spend a lot of time picking himself off the turf Sunday ..
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This is one area I just don't know what to expect. We all know how bad Oakland's O-line is. But, if I'm not mistaken, TEN took 38 pass attempts and didn't get sacked once by SD. I'm very interested to see if JO has enough left in the tank to handle Merriman. I actually think the other side of the line is where the trouble might come from. Castillo could have a good game.
Mapmaker said:
Jamal Lewis is not the RB that ran for 2000 + a couple years ago, he hasn't looked the same for 2 years running and the Bolts D will take the dance outta his step
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More importantly, the run blocking of the O-line isn't the same. Lewis seem to have a fair amount of his speed and power back but he's getting hit at or behind the line a lot. The holes aren't there. Like I said, I'd be interested to see if they can get Meriman to overcommit to the rush and run at the spot he vacated.
Mapmaker said:
Theres just no way the Ravens will keep up with the Chargers in this one ... Chargers 20 Ravens 10 :popcorn:
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Hope you're wrong. We'll see.
 
I always bet the under when 2 great D's play. Won a bunch on Jags-Squeelers earlier. I would go heavy this game but I'm not so sure the Ravens are for real.

 
This is one area I just don't know what to expect. We all know how bad Oakland's O-line is. But, if I'm not mistaken, TEN took 38 pass attempts and didn't get sacked once by SD. I'm very interested to see if JO has enough left in the tank to handle Merriman. I actually think the other side of the line is where the trouble might come from. Castillo could have a good game.
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Collins was 6 for 19 and VY was 7 for 19. They chose to throw the ball in the dirt instead of taking the sack. Collins was the most obvious about it. His passes weren't even close. I would call that a big win for the front 7 regardless of the number of sacks.
 
Both teams are still somewhat untested. But to me it looks like two great defenses, one great offense, and one average offense. I think that's why the Chargers are favored even though the Ravens are at home.

 
So far it looks like 97 people believe the Chargers defense is for real.

Not sure I believe that.

I'm all over the Ravens right now. Calling Rivers untested is one thing, calling a battle-hardened Ravens defense and a former league MVP QB untested is quite another.

This will likely be a deflation of a fluff team pitted against a Super Bowl-caliber Ravens unit.

 
NFL Network had been reporting earlier that it has been a wet Saturday in Baltimore and that there is a 70% chance of rain during tomorrow's game.

How does that affect your prediction and which team would benefit from a sloppy field?

I personally think it will help the Chargers if the field is soggy. It will be more difficult to stop LT. :football:

 
BAT1man said:
I personally think it will help the Chargers if the field is soggy. It will be more difficult to stop LT. :football:
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Actually, if the field is soggy, Michael Turner might do better than LT. Tomlinson slips a lot when the footing isn't good.Overall, I think it will be a defensive battle. But if Charlie Frye threw for nearly 300 yards against the Ravens (about 9 yards per attempt), that's a good sign for the Chargers.
 
It's ridiculous to bash either of these teams. They are both very solid. But, I'll take the better defense and special teams unit @ home getting points. Yes sir.

 
Maybe I missed it, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the cough syrup/codeine ring involving several Chargers. With that kind of distraction, I would think their bye week might have worked against them.

I think they are closely matched teams, but with the drug issue and the road conditions, I'd take Baltimore straight up.

 
My subpar bowl pick is GETTING 2 and the hook AT HOME with a "rookie" QB starting against them?? I'll take the Ravens and run

 
Assani Fisher said:
I still don't understand why the Ravens are underdogs. They've proven more by beating Cleveland and TB on the road(albeit not that much more but its still tougher opponents than SD has played), and they're at home.
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Chargers' opponents = 0-5Ravens' opponents = 0-8I think it'd be difficult to say that Baltimore's opponents are any tougher.Nonetheless, I also would have expected the Ravens to be favored in this game at home.
 
I'm having a hard time getting a good handle on this one; neither has played anyone yet. The only things I know for sure are that the Ravens D is very good & LT is the best RB in football. The rest is up in the air as yet.

SD is not going to beat the Ravens with long drives, IMO. They'll need some big plays on O or Baltimore TOs to score much.

On the other side, the Ravens O has to play better than they have to win, I think. Or at least more consistent. Also, they've got to get TDs when they get into the RZ. Every point in this one's going to be precious.

This one could go either way. I'll take the Ravens (homer alert) 17-13.

 
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