Tag: Chargers vs. Ravens

Chargers WR Mike Williams expected to play vs. Ravens

The Chargers will have a key offensive piece available against the Ravens.

According to multiple sources, Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams, listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with a knee injury, is expected to play against the Ravens.

Williams didn’t practice this past week after experiencing some swelling in his knee following the victory over the Browns. Still, head coach Brandon Staley just wanted to be careful and remained hopeful that he would play.

Arguably the league’s most productive receivers up to this point in the season, Williams has 31 catches for 571 yards this season. In addition, he leads the league in touchdown receptions (6).

Chargers must make Ravens offense one-dimensional

The Chargers can’t afford to let QB Lamar Jackson loose.

For the Chargers to have success against the Ravens, they must be stronger against the run.

Los Angeles currently has the worst rushing defense in the NFL, allowing 157.6 yards on the ground per game and the most yards (788).

The absence of defensive tackle Justin Jones has been crucial to that specific area. With Jones out, the Bolts have had to turn to three undrafted free agents – Joe Gaziano, Breiden Fehoko, and Forrest Merrill.

The lack of talent up front has been evident. They have been unable to generate any push, thus leading to big holes where the second and third levels have struggled with getting off blocks and making tackles in the open field.

On the other hand, Baltimore has the league’s fourth-best run offense averaging 148.8 yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry.

Even without their top three running backs, quarterback Lamar Jackson has made life difficult for defenses with his legs, gaining over six yards per carry.

Los Angeles must hold its own on the ground, so they can make the game one-dimensional, forcing Jackson to try to beat them with his arm.

As we know head coach Brandon Staley’s defense specializes in neutralizing the pass.

Aside from last weekend’s lackluster performance against the Browns, the Chargers limited Dak Prescott, Patrick Mahomes, and Derek Carr from being factors, allowing an average of just 237 yards.

Los Angeles’ run defense has been woeful this season, but if Staley’s unit can replicate the performance against the Raiders, where they limited Las Vegas to just 48 rushing yards, the Bolts should have a great shot on Sunday.

Will the Chargers-Ravens matchup be on in your area?

Find out if you will get the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens on national television.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-1) are set to get Week 6 underway against the Baltimore Ravens (4-1).

Those in the periwinkle area on the TV map will get the game on CBS, courtesy of 506 Sports.

If you’re in the red area, you will get the matchup between Washington and the Kansas City Chiefs. Those in the green area will see the Houston Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts.

Greg Gumbel and Adam Archuleta will have the call.

Los Angeles is currently 2.5-point underdogs to Baltimore. Sunday’s matchup will begin at 10:00 am PT.

Flashback Friday: Chargers survive Ravens in AFC wild-card game

Relive the last time the Chargers and Ravens met.

The last time the Chargers and Ravens met was in a 2018 AFC Wild Card bout.

Los Angeles faced Lamar Jackson, who was in his rookie season. At 21, Jackson was the youngest quarterback in the NFL to start a playoff game.

The Bolts took advantage of his youth, sacking Jackson six times and forcing him to fumble twice, heading into the fourth quarter with a significant lead, 23-3.

That was before Jackson threw two touchdown passes to claw the Ravens back in and give the Chargers a bit of a scare.

As Jackson got the ball with less than a minute to go down six points, Los Angeles could only wonder if this would conclude their season.

The Bolts did what had been working for them all season by coming up huge with a defensive takeaway, thanks to linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who had the game-clinching strip-sack.

Jackson finished the game 14 of 29 passing for 194 passing yards, 54 rushing yards, two scores, and an interception.

QB Philip Rivers went 22 for 32 for 160 yards.

Kicker Michael Badgley set the Chargers franchise record for field goals in a playoff game (5). Badgley made his attempts from 21, 53, 40, 34, and 47 yards.

The 23-17 victory sent the Bolts to the AFC Divisional Round to take on the Patriots, where the team’s season came to an end after suffering defeat.

5 Ravens who pose biggest threat to Chargers

Highlighting a few players on the Baltimore Ravens that could make it difficult for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PT.

Here are a few players on the Ravens that the Bolts must hone in on to come out victorious.

QB Lamar Jackson

The Chargers have faced some of the league’s top signal-callers early on, with Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr and now Jackson, who has imprinted himself in the MVP conversation. After being given the label of a running back who can pass by many early on in his career, Jackson has shown that he is the real deal at the position. A threat with both his arm and legs, Jackson has been one of the most challenging players in the league to effectively prepare for. He will look to build off a big performance in the Ravens’ Week 5 overtime win over the Colts, in which he completed 37 of 43 passes for 442 passing yards, 62 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

WR Marquise Brown

Baltimore possesses the league’s most explosive offense, and a good chunk of the credit goes to Brown. The third-year wideout has given opposing secondaries fits with his track speed and improved route-running. His 451 receiving yards rank eighth and his five touchdowns are tied for second-most in the league. In addition, his nine receptions of 20-plus yards are also tied for second-most. Head coach Brandon Staley’s defense, which prioritizes eliminating deep passes, will need to be at its best.

TE Mark Andrews

Andrews was given a contract extension earlier this season and since then, he has shown that he was worth every penny. He is coming off his biggest performance of the year, in which he caught 11 of 13 targets for 147 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Through five games, Andrews has amassed 400 yards, which is most among tight ends. The Chargers have struggled against players at the position, they have also allowed 4 touchdowns to tight ends, which is tied for the highest mark in the league.

DL Calais Campbell

Arguably the Ravens’ best defensive player lies in the trenches. Campbell, the 14-year veteran, has been a terror to opposing offensive lines. Playing from four different alignments and wreaking havoc as a pass-rusher and run defender, Campbell has posted 18 quarterback pressures, 12 hurries and 10 stops. For a Chargers front that’s thin on the right side, given the absences of Oday Aboushi and Bryan Bulaga, Michael Schofield and Storm Norton must be on their A-game.

EDGE Odafe Oweh

Baltimore struck gold in the first round with Oweh. The former Penn State product has three sacks and two forced fumbles, and he leads all NFL rookies in quarterback pressures with 18. His explosive first step and freakish length and agility have made it difficult to counter. Rashawn Slater, who has the lowest pressure rate allowed among rookie tackles (4.5%), will have another tough test.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Ravens?

Find out who national pundits are favoring in the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.

The Los Angeles Chargers are considered 2.5-point underdogs to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 of the 2021 season. The over/under is set to 50.5 points, per Tipico Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 50.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 27-21 win for the Chargers, with a combined total of 48 points. So if I was putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the under.

As for game predictions, the majority of analysts are favoring Los Angeles.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Jones (USA Today) Ravens
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Chargers
Gregg Rosenthal (NFL Media) Chargers
Bleacher Report Chargers

Sunday’s game will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

Chargers Week 6 injury report: Drue Tranquill ruled out, 2 questionable

The Chargers had their final practice ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the Ravens.

The Chargers had their final practice on Friday ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the Ravens.

Linebacker Drue Tranquill has been ruled out with a chest injury.

In his absence, rookie Nick Niemann will likely start alongside Kyzir White. Niemann, a summer standout, has yet to log a defensive snap in the regular season.

Safety Nasir Adderley (hip) and wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) are both questionable. They did not practice on Friday.

Not having Adderley and/or Williams on the field would be a tough blow. Both players have had great seasons thus far.

If Adderley can’t go Alohi Gilman and rookie Mark Webb would fill in if he’s out.

If Williams is not able to play, Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton would receive a higher volume of snaps.

Chargers injury report: 3 key players missing at Thursday’s practice

The Chargers could be without three key players this Sunday against the Ravens.

The Chargers had their second practice ahead of the Week 6 contest against the Ravens on Thursday.

For the second straight day, linebacker Drue Tranquill and wide receiver Mike Williams did not practice. Added into the mix of non-participants was safety Nasir Adderley, who was previously listed as limited.

Tranquill, who is dealing with a chest injury, is unlikely to play this weekend. If he’s out, rookie Nick Niemann would be next in line to get extended snaps.

Williams (knee) not practicing this week is a bit concerning for the positional group. If the most productive receiver is not able to play, Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton would receive more playing time.

Adderley is dealing with a hip injury. It would be tough to not have him on the field, as he’s been a key piece in the back end of the defense this season. Alohi Gilman and Mark Webb would fill in if he’s out.

Los Angeles will have its final practice on Friday before traveling to Baltimore.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Ravens in Week 6

A look at some causes for optimism as the Los Angeles Chargers look to improve to 5-1.

The Los Angeles Chargers are on the road, attempting to take down the red-hot Baltimore Ravens and seize full control of the AFC conference before their bye week.

Here are three reasons why the Bolts should be feeling optimistic heading into the Week 6 bout:

Chargers sign 2 players to practice squad

The Chargers added offensive and defensive line depth.

The Chargers signed offensive tackle Foster Sarell and defensive lineman Andrew Brown to the practice squad. In correspondence, Los Angeles released linebacker Nate Hall, a day after he was added.

Sarell, who was once considered the nation’s top offensive tackle prospect, went undrafted out of Stanford. He signed with the Ravens and spent the summer there before being released. Sarell also spent some time on the Giants’ practice squad.

Brown, on the other hand, was recently released by L.A. before being picked up again.

Brown, a fifth-round pick by the Bengals in 2018, played in 21 games over his first three seasons, 18 with Cincinnati and three with the Texans. He was on the Colts prior to being released ahead of the 2021 season.

In that time period, he posted 17 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits.