Can Lamar Jackson Lead the Baltimore Ravens to a Wildcard win in their rematch with the Los Angeles Chargers?
The 10-6 Baltimore Ravens take on the 12-4 Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium for Wildcard Weekend in an exciting rematch. Baltimore last played the Chargers in Week 16 and beat them 22 to 10, but I expect the Chargers ninth-ranked defense to be more prepared for Jackson and the ninth-ranked offense as they are the only defense to face him under center a 2nd time this season. The top-ranked Ravens defense thwarted Phillip Rivers and the eleventh ranked offense at home, as played arguably his worst game this season.
Some significant reports of injuries for this game include the Ravens with Tavon Young questionable and the Chargers having Brandon Mebane as doubtful with Jatavis Brown already declared out. Hunter Henry (coming off a torn ACL) is active and should get some snaps while Melvin Gordon is healthier now than in Week 16 for their offense. The Ravens have home-field advantage at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore but the Los Angeles Chargers are one of the best road teams in the NFL. Here are some keys to the rematch between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers for the AFC Wildcard.
Can Derwin James limit Lamar Jackson and force the Ravens to be one dimensional?
Even though the Ravens run game did enough against the Chargers in Week 16, Lamar Jackson was limited in the run game and only had 39 yards on the ground on 13 carries. Gus Edwards had almost 100 yards rushing in that game so the Chargers will look to stop the Ravens run game as a whole. Derwin James, as a rookie; is a pro bowler, a first-team/ second team all pro at safety and defensive back, and is a candidate for defensive rookie of the year. The Chargers will definitely spy Jackson with James but may need more impact from him in limiting the big plays in the passing game, like the Mark Andrew touchdown in Week 16. Even though the Chargers defense has played against Jackson already, James and the rest of the Chargers defense still have a lot on their plate and need their secondary to step up.
Ravens Pass Rush against the Chargers Pass Protection
The Chargers will have to protect Phillip Rivers better than the last time the Ravens and Chargers met in Week 16. Rivers was sacked four times in the game and was pressured a number of times. I expect quicker passes to their tight ends/ running backs as that is the Raven’s weak point on defense and a more prepared game plan against the Ravens pass rush. I expect Melvin Gordon/ Austin Ekeler and Hunter Henry be key factors in the passing game to help Rivers out as well as Keenan Allen in the slot. With three players (Za’Darius Smith- 8.5, Terrell Suggs/ Matthew Judon- 7) that have seven sacks or over, the Ravens pass rush will be the key in stopping the Chargers passing game.
Which team will win the turnover battle?
Despite Lamar Jackson leading the NFL in fumbles with twelve, it has not cost them a game so far so the impact has not been as bad as it should be. In the playoffs, fumbles could be the reason why a team loses and Jackson has to improve on taking care of the ball. The Chargers will try and force turnovers and even though Jackson has only three picks, getting up early on a multiple score lead could force Jackson to throw more and could be prone to more turnovers trying to do too much.
Jackson had one fumble in Week 16 while Kenneth Dixon had one as well. Phillip Rivers threw two interceptions in the game and will need to play a clean game against the stingy Ravens defense. Marlon Humphery and Brandon Carr had big games covering the Chargers receivers as Jimmy Smith had a two-interception game last week. They will need to slow down Travis Benjamin, Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams, and Keenan Allen again if the Ravens want a playoff win in 2019.
This rematch should be another hard fought game as the Ravens are two and a half point favorites at home against the Chargers for this Sunday’s AFC Wildcard game.
Write about all things football; including the Baltimore Ravens (my favorite team), College Football, the NFL Draft, and other football related content.
