NFL Game of the Week: Ravens vs. Chargers
A rematch of the 2019 playoff game between these two teams, the Chargers and Ravens will square off in Baltimore for a highly anticipated Week 6 matchup featuring two of the league’s best quarterbacks.
Both teams captured exhilarating wins in their Week 5 games, as the Chargers beat the Browns 47-42 and the Ravens beat the Colts 31-25. Each team possessing top-10 offenses will surely entail a high scoring affair on Sunday.
The x-factor for the game will most likely be Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson. If Jackson can keep up his performances from previous weeks, the Ravens should be in the clear.
Throwing for 442 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Colts was by far the best passing performance of his career. If Jackson throws the pigskin like he did in Week 5, the Chargers will be in for a rude awakening.
Under center for the Chargers is second-year quarterback Justin Herbert, who is coming off a four passing touchdown performance of his own. A favorite for MVP, Herbert will fuel the passing game for the Chargers while running back Austin Ekeler should continue to run with a vengeance. Three rushing touchdowns all in the fourth quarter is all the Ravens need to hear to prepare for the Chargers’ electric offense.
The Ravens’ defense has been the weaker side for Baltimore this season, but some players have continued to step up and make big plays throughout the season.
Calais Campbell making a key play blocking Colts’ kicker Rodrigo Blankenship’s field goal attempt is what kept the Ravens in the game against the Colts. Big plays from top defenders Odafe Oweh and Marlon Humphrey are what will fuel the Baltimore offense to a confident outing.
For the Chargers offensively, all cylinders must be firing to keep up with the Jackson and the Ravens. The Ravens’ run defense is one of the league’s best, so Ekeler will have to perform at a high level once again.
Herbert will look to attack the weak Baltimore pass defense by finding receiver Mike Williams, who has been his number one guy over Keenan Allen. With six touchdowns so far, Williams will be a key factor on the scoreboard, as fans can expect a high-scoring affair.
What the Chargers’ defense needs to do to tame the Ravens is limit any big plays, in the air and on the ground. The Chargers know what Jackson is capable of, so slowing him down as much as possible will be very important.
The Chargers have done a good job slowing down top quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott, as safety’s Nasir Adderley and Derwin James Jr. have a combined 77 tackles through five games. For the defensive front seven, Nick Bosa and company will have to apply pressure to Jackson throughout the entire game.
As the season keeps progressing, so do the Ravens’ receivers. With Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin back from injuries, Baltimore’s receiving corps is the best it’s been this season.
With Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews coming off of big games in Week 5, Jackson will have plenty of options to help continue his passing tear this season. With four passing touchdowns against the Colts, Jackson may need just that once again to keep up with Herbert.
A victory for either squad will be a key win in the AFC conference, as both teams sit at the top of their divisions at 4-1.
The Ravens open as 3.5-point favorites to win the game, but don’t count out the Chargers so fast. Two MVP caliber quarterbacks headline a marque Week 6 matchup where fans can expect a very high scoring game.
Daniel Maiorana is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dkm5903@psu.edu.
