Baltimore (+4) at San Diego (12-22-18)

[oldunclemark]

8:20 EST   Mike Tirico, Kurt Warner and Steve Mariucci (a pretty good broadcast team) on the NFL Network

at the (pretty bad) Stub Hub Center, mid-60s and dry (California Christmas weather) in  in Los Angeles  over-under at 43.5

 

throwback quarterback Lamar Jackson (73 of 124, 818 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs) takes his retro act to Hollywood.

The rookie leads the Ravens rushing 114 times for 566 yards and if Baltimore gets the lead, they wont have to dela with the pass rush team of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa.

 

Chargers' QB Phillips "Old Man" Rivers (310 of 447, 3,951 yards, 31 TDs 8 INTs) and he'l throw to Keenan Adams (8 catches, 1,074 yards)  and Mike Williams (38 catches, 618 yards).

Top runner Melvin Gordon (153 runs, 803 yards) will play for the first time in 3 weeks

Baltimore has  allowed just 254 first downs in 14 games and they've held nine teams to 20 points or less.

 

There's a whole lot of 'ifs' riding with this one.

A Baltimore (8-6) win cold move them past Pittsburgh (8-5-1) if the Steelers lose Sunday at NOLA.

A Baltimore loss means the winner of the Week 17 game between the Colts (8-6) and Tennessee (8-6) makes the playoffs

A Chargers (11-3) win means they move past Kansas City (11-3) in the AFC West , if KC loses Sunday night at Seattle (8-6)

 

I wonder if Baltimore will have more fans in the minor league Stub Hub Center than the Chargers will.

Most Chargers fans live in San Diego....

This is a big game but the winner cant clinch first place in their division until next week.

I think its bad matchup for Baltimore. The Ravens can hog the ball and kill the lock but they cant cover San Diego's receivers and Rivers get the ball away so quickly, they cant sack him.

 

Baltimore falls behind in the second half and the Chargers pass rush runs Lamar Jackson and his 'Nebraska - 1984" offense all the way to the bus.

Chargers win and cover (and hopefully move back to San Diego soon)

 

 

 

[boo2202]

Let's go chargers!!

[2006Coltsbestever]

Go Chargers! I love your Nebraska reference, the 1983 Huskers were great but cute like Reich does at times and went for 2 and lost the Title. A Chargers win would be huge for us.

[oldunclemark]

Washington 16, Tennessee 12 -- 4th Q

I don't think the outcome of the Tennessee-Washington game changes much in the AFC....

Win or lose, the Titans season comes down to week 17, right?

[oldunclemark]

 Peter Schrager is really annoying..

…..you dont have to repeat yourself of reemphasis young man

[MB-ColtsFan]

I can't believe I'm actually going to root for Rivers.

Umm...go...Chargers???

[oldunclemark]

Bad throw by Phil right away    underthrown,.,.,early interception.

Rivers arm strength is down a bit from past years..

 

3-0 Baltimore early

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

The chargers are looking bad.

[oldunclemark]

11 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

The chargers are looking bad.

Phillip needs to calm down...

..he's facing a very beatable team...just stay calm and play,  old man.

 

 

And this is a minor league stadium.

Bad turf//./Not NFL caliber

 

[MB-ColtsFan]

Refs are incredibly bad again.  Hate saying this week after week.

[oldunclemark]

why go for it on 4th and goal from the 3..leading 3-0 early in a must-win game.

 

There's aggressive and there's foolish

Edited December 23, 2018 by oldunclemark

[IndySouthsider]

How was that first down. He jumped and came back down short. There is no breaking the plane for a first down in the middle of the field.

[Gramz]

Why so many against the Chargers tonight?

 

 

I normally don't like to second guess the officials, but tonight is suspect.

[Gramz]

Almost halftime and it's 6-0 Ravens.  Who'da guessed that score?

 

 

[oldunclemark]

6-0 Baltimore

….Chargers offense just needs 20-21 points

 

Neither one these teams is very scary

[oldunclemark]

Chargers don't really have a home field advantage, do they?

[Gramz]

1 minute ago, oldunclemark said:

6-0 Baltimore

….Chargers offense just needs 20-21 points

 

Neither one these teams is very scary

game is kinda boring.   I hope the 2nd half is better.

[coltsva]

2 minutes ago, oldunclemark said:

Chargers don't really have a home field advantage, do they?

Not having to travel across the country for the game, yes. Loud crowd, no.

[oldunclemark]

4 minutes ago, Gramz said:

game is kinda boring.   I hope the 2nd half is better.

Agreed… So far the 'action' is about as stimulating as Dak Prescott's 'Chunky Soup' commercials

[oldunclemark]

4 minutes ago, coltsva said:

Not having to travel across the country for the game, yes. Loud crowd, no.

Too many fans from the other team get in the building every week

[coltsva]

Just now, oldunclemark said:

Too many fans from the other team get in the building every week

Yeah, must stink for the Chargers players.

[oldunclemark]

Hasn't been a great half for the refs either..delay after delay

 

Come on men..get it together

[Gramz]

so many in this game.

[Gramz]

Can they get on the board before half?   Geez.

[masterlock]

Chargers look like frauds.

[Gramz]

Just now, masterlock said:

Chargers look like frauds.

They sure don't look good tonight at all.

[IndySouthsider]

Rivers looks old running from these kids.

[coltsva]

1 minute ago, IndySouthsider said:

Rivers looks old running from these kids.

And he looks in panic mode on every play.

[Gramz]

Just now, coltsva said:

And he looks in panic mode on every play.

true, but he seems to get it together in the 2nd half usually.

 

We'll see how tonight goes...  Damn I hope the 2nd half is more exciting.   

I'm taking a shower and washing my hair.   

 

See ya all after the half.

[oldunclemark]

wow 6-3......

I cant tell you when I've seen action like this

[masterlock]

If Chargers can't do a better job of pressuring the QB, I think they could be in trouble. It's not looking good. Plus, Ravens get the ball to start the 2nd half. I don't see Chargers overcoming a 2-score deficit against this Ravens defense (assuming Ravens score TD). I hope I'm wrong.

[Maniac]

13 minutes ago, Gramz said:

They sure don't look good tonight at all.

 

They look as good as their opponents are letting them look.

 

Baltimore are legit.

[coltsva]

fumble!!!!!!

[Gramz]

2nd half is going to be a different story.

[oldunclemark]

3 minutes ago, coltsva said:

fumble!!!!!!

Quick change..10-6...…..Lets see how the Ravens 'wishbone- 1976' offense plays when they're behind/

[coltsva]

well, that was quick

[oldunclemark]

2 good throws by Lamar....13-10 baltimore

[masterlock]

Chargers just can't get pressure. 

[Gramz]

Just now, oldunclemark said:

2 good throws by Lamar....13-10 baltimore

It's getting much more exciting!

[Catloaf]

Both team playing pretty bad, chargers especially look very beatable by anyone.  Colts could trounce the Chargers if they play like this.