San Diego (+3) at Baltimore (1-6-19)

[oldunclemark]

1:05 EST..  Jim Nantz, and Tony Romo  on CBS

Low 40s and sunny at the MT & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore over-under 43

 

Chargers godfather Phillip 'Old Man' Rivers (347 of 508, , 4,308 yards, 32 TDs, 12 INTs) looks to roll up more than the 10 points the Chargers posted in a 22-10 home loss to Baltimore 2 weeks ago.

San Diego RB Melvin Gordon (175 carries, 885 yards, 210 TDs) is questionable for the game but it probably should be said: If you're questionable and its the playoffs: Unless your leg is broken, you're playing.

Rivers faces the hard riding Baltimore defense which blitzes 40-50% of the time and has 42 sacks.  Baltimore has allowed just 284 first downs in 16 games, just 17 a game and they are 6-2 at home.

  

Ravens' Rookie QB Lamar Jackson has thrown for 1,201 yards and run for 695 yards as Baltimore has won 6 of their last 7..

Time of possession has been big for the Ravens, they average hogging the ball 33 minutes (out of 60) and the other side just doesn't get the ball as much as they'd like.  Chargers DEs Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa are big time but on plays where the other side doesn't pass, they are fire hydrants with thunderbolts on their shoulders.

 

Both QBs are a major questions. Rivers' arm strength seems to have diminished. He cant ask his line to block Baltimore very long. Can he complete passes down the field Sunday.

Lamar Jackson is making his playoff debut and he cant turn it over. the Chargers are the first team to face him a second time and they will defense him differently than they did 2 weeks ago.

The real 'wild card' here is Joe Flacco. If Jackson gets hurt or shut down, Baltimore may go back to Flacco ((232 of 379, 2.465 yards. 12 Tds 6 INTs) to rally the angry birds.

 

   This game breaks big one way or another and  I just dont see Baltimore's disco-era style Oklahoma style wishbone holding up. And I don't know how many times they can blitz Rivers in good weather and not pay for it.

Its not 1976.  Take San Diego to win straight up and take the over.....

 

 

[The Old Crow]

I will be at M & T tomorrow. It’s going to be a tough game. Most Ravens games are close like last week against Cleveland. Rarely does this team let you relax with an easy victory .

All I can tell you is when we were 4-5, I thought we were cooked. Had Harbaugh went back to Flacco after the three games Lamar started, there was no way we win the division. Joe did a great job for us in his Raven’s career, but the offense had become too stale and predictable. 

I also have long term concerns about the option offense we have been running. Lamar obviously needs more time to round into a good passing QB. I witnessed what happened to RG III when he met up with Ngata. That being said there is really no choice than to go with what brought you there offensively. 

Defensively, the secondary stunk last week. They were very susceptible to slant and seam routes. Weddle and Jefferson have to play better. They need to play like the #1 defense again to beat Rivers. 

I’m hoping the west to east coast game at 1 PM plays in the Ravens favor. Of course we know the Chargers were a 7-1 road team. Harbaugh is 5-0 in wild card games. Going to be a good game tomorrow. 

 

[oldunclemark]

Have a good time OC..

It will be great to be there.. the crowd (translated: YOU) will be rowdy

[The Old Crow]

21 minutes ago, oldunclemark said:

Have a good time OC..

It will be great to be there.. the crowd (translated: YOU) will be rowdy

 

Lets all hope for a Colts at Ravens AFC Championship game. Thanks for the kind words. This is going to be a tough game. 

[coltsva]

Chargers have come in with a plan, and Jackson fumbles on the first possession.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

All these young quarterbacks are playing like young quarterbacks. Shows the value of a veteran in the playoffs.

[LJpalmbeacher2]

This game is looking like a possible blowout by Chargers. Ravens may need to pass to stay in it. Flacko should be considered to come in.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

It will be funny if the qb next week are Luck, Rivers, and Brady. If Jackson loses this game I am liking our chances with Mahomes.

[LJpalmbeacher2]

Gordon getting hurt could be a significant break for the pats. 

What else is new, right?

[jvan1973]

That ravens defense is nasty

[2006Coltsbestever]

Chargers playing well early.

[Colts_Fan12]

Finally the chargers moved the ball further than 4 yards jeez

[2006Coltsbestever]

2 minutes ago, jvan1973 said:

That ravens defense is nasty

Yeah it is scary!

[2006Coltsbestever]

Ravens aren't doing squat on Offense. INT by the Chargers.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

You still need a QB to win playoff games. 

[Luck is Good]

I don’t really care so long as the Colts get the Patriots in the AFC Championship game

[2006Coltsbestever]

9-0 Chargers, 2 score led is huge because Lamar is struggling.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

11 minutes ago, Luck is Good said:

I don’t really care so long as the Colts get the Patriots in the AFC Championship game

If the chargers win I think they will beat the pats and we would go to LA if we beat KC.

[Chrisaaron1023]

Looks like the Ravens are playing with 15 guys on defense... How can they bring so much pressure AND surround the dude catching the ball geeze..

[Chrisaaron1023]

15 minutes ago, Luck is Good said:

I don’t really care so long as the Colts get the Patriots in the AFC Championship game

Meh.. these fools get to host too many AFCCGs..

[DrColtsFan]

I agree their defense is everywhere

[DrColtsFan]

But chargers D is doing much more than I thought. Although, I admit I haven’t watched any Chargers ball this year based on network coverage so all I know is what the media reports. 

[Lucky Colts Fan]

This is looking like the "FG Game" when the Colts went into Baltimore in the playoffs in 2006 and Vinny beat the Ravens 15-6.

[IndySouthsider]

Didn’t we have Badgley in camp. He is solid.

[threeflight]

I'm very happy we have Adam V but it's a shame we couldn't find a way to keep Badgley.   Hard to keep 2 kickers unless you keep him to kick off.

 

You could tell in the pre season with the Colts he was going to be very very good.

[threeflight]

IMO the Ravens have to put in Flacco.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

I agree.  You have a Super Bowl QB sitting on the sidelines. When your defense is this good you can’t have a young QB lose you the game like this.

[chad72]

The winner of this game would be used to the 1 pm ET time slot on Sunday for the next game as well, just like the Colts got used to the 4:35 pm Saturday time slot.

[chad72]

2 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

I agree.  You have a Super Bowl QB sitting on the sidelines. When your defense is this good you can’t have a young QB lose you the game like this.

 

One more score from the Chargers or punt from Lamar, Flacco is going back. There was a reason why Kubiak put in Peyton for the playoffs even though Osweiler was winning mostly, especially the way the Broncos D was playing that year.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Ravens have to try Flacco now, no way about it.

[Colts_Fan12]

I want an electric return man on my team 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

There return game is scary. It gives them such good field position every time.

[coltsfansince65]

5 minutes ago, Colts_Fan12 said:

I want an electric return man on my team 

Me too. Can you imagine our offense with a short field most of the time.

[SteelCityColt]

Looks like the Ravens need a cup of Joe...

[coltsfansince65]

I think it might be Flacco time. The Ravens offense can't get out of their own way.

[Luck is Good]

Flacco is coming in next drive

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Flacco has to come in now. Jackson is looking just like Watson did for the Texans.

[#12.]

Gimmick offenses only work so long.

[IinD]

That's the downside of these QBs that rely on gimmicky stuff. 

 

You've got to be a QB when the going gets tough.

Just now, #12. said:

Gimmick offenses only work so long.

Literally posted same thought.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

These kind of quarterbacks just do not work in the playoffs. You still have ton score points. Then on top of it they are young.