The Ravens beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-20, however misplaced tight finish Mark Andrews, seemingly for the season. The Chargers left Green Bay as a staff in disaster after dropping 23-20 to the Packers. Who could have the sting Sunday evening?
Ravens passing sport vs. Chargers go protection
Lamar Jackson added to his Most Valuable Player case, throwing for 264 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Bengals regardless of hurting his ankle within the first half. Jackson simply missed on a pair of deep photographs earlier than connecting with vast receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for a 51-yard acquire within the fourth quarter. Jackson did a very good job managing stress, both utilizing his scrambling reward to increase performs or stepping up within the pocket to seek out his receivers in stride. Beckham, Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor helped him out with spectacular runs after catches.
Jackson will want his vast receivers to proceed their upward trajectory as a result of he gained’t have the ability to fall again on Andrews, the one go catcher with whom he’s at all times had a neural hyperlink. The Ravens will flip to second-year tight finish Isaiah Likely (9 catches on 12 targets, 89 yards), whose breakout video games final season got here in Andrews’ absence, however there’s no changing Andrews’ dependability on third down and within the crimson zone.
Jackson took three sacks in opposition to the Bengals as Patrick Mekari, filling in for injured left deal with Ronnie Stanley, struggled early with Trey Hendrickson’s quickness off the sting. The Chargers’ Joey Bosa would have prevented an analogous problem this week for both Mekari or Stanley, however he injured his foot in opposition to the Packers. The Ravens benefited from the return of proper deal with Morgan Moses, who’d missed the earlier two video games with a shoulder damage.
The Chargers rank final in go protection, permitting opponents 6.9 yards per try. Even Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, who has struggled all season, threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to them. The Chargers have loads of star energy in Bosa, linebacker Khalil Mack, security Derwin James Jr. and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., however coach Brandon Staley, who calls the protection, has confronted mounting criticism for the best way he makes use of these items. The Chargers blitz on simply 23% of dropbacks and have struggled to cowl the center of the sphere, Jackson’s favourite strike zone. The 32-year-old Mack (11 sacks, 12 quarterback hits) is their best go rusher. Samuel has two interceptions and 7 passes defended.
EDGE: Ravens
Chargers passing sport vs. Ravens go protection
Justin Herbert (2,609 yards, 19 touchdowns, 5 interceptions) is likely one of the most gifted passers within the league however has began to face questions on his 29-30 profession report as a starter. For all his arm power, Herbert ranks center of the pack in air yards per try and completion. He trails Jackson in completion proportion and yards per try. That mentioned, the Chargers’ passing offense is their power. They rank ninth within the league in changing third downs and second in changing crimson zone journeys to touchdowns. Wide receiver Keenan Allen (83 catches on 113 targets, 1011 yards, seven touchdowns) stays unimaginable to cowl at age 31. The Chargers miss injured vast receiver Mike Williams as a big-play goal. Rookie first-round decide Quentin Johnston (20 catches on 34 targets, 183 yards) has not been the reply. Beyond counting on Allen as his clear No. 1 goal, Herbert spreads the ball round. His offensive line, led by third-year left deal with Rashawn Slater, has carried out a strong job defending him.
The Chargers could have their arms full with a Ravens go rush that leads the league in sacks after including 5 extra in opposition to the Bengals. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh led the cost with a career-high seven pressures, persevering with his run of fantastic play over the previous 5 video games. Defensive deal with Justin Madubuike prolonged his sack streak to eight video games and desires only a half-sack extra to turn into the primary Raven since Terrell Suggs in 2017 to hit double figures for a season. Even with out injured star cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens shut down Bengals celebrity Ja’Marr Chase, who caught two passes on seven targets for 12 yards. Cornerback Brandon Stephens continued his breakout season. Safety Marcus Williams performed much better after struggling the earlier week in his first sport again from a hamstring damage. Safety Kyle Hamilton, tied for the staff lead with eight passes defended, seems pointed towards the Pro Bowl in his second season. The Bengals did successfully decide on linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen with fast throws to their tight ends and operating again Joe Mixon. That might be an space to look at in opposition to Herbert, whom the Ravens held to 22-of-39 passing for 195 yards of their solely earlier assembly.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens operating sport vs. Chargers run protection
The Ravens struggled to run within the first half in opposition to Cincinnati however managed the second half with their floor sport as coordinator Todd Monken unleashed a nifty mixture of designs for highly effective veteran Gus Edwards (team-high 564 yards and 10 touchdowns) and fleet rookie Keaton Mitchell (10.3 yards per carry). Edwards and Mitchell each reduce to interrupt double-digit good points out of unfold appears to be like. Edwards’ imaginative and prescient and energy close to the aim line have been important for an offense that has scored touchdowns on 65.2% of its crimson zone journeys. Jackson additionally carried 9 instances for 54 yards in opposition to the Bengals regardless of his tender ankle. The Ravens lead the league in dashing and rank second in yards per try.
The Chargers had gone 5 straight video games with out permitting 100 yards dashing earlier than they gave up 200 in a Nov. 12 loss to the Detroit Lions. But they rank simply twenty sixth in DVOA in opposition to the run, suggesting they haven’t been as environment friendly in context because the uncooked numbers recommend. They lack a dominant defensive lineman to plug the center, and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., second on the staff in defensive snaps, has graded poorly in opposition to the run, in response to Pro Football Focus. Their edge defenders, led by Mack, have been a lot better.
EDGE: Ravens
Chargers operating sport vs. Ravens run protection
The Chargers usually are not as potent on the bottom as by means of the air, averaging 4.1 yards per carry with veteran Austin Ekeler (396 yards, 4 touchdowns in seven video games) as their lead ball provider and Joshua Kelley as his backup. They did rush for 150 yards in opposition to the Packers, their best outing for the reason that fourth week of the season. Herbert was the key motive, carrying eight instances for 73 yards. That was uncharacteristic for the 6-foot-6 quarterback, who’s averaging 4.2 yards per carry and had not rushed for greater than 27 yards in any earlier sport this season.
The Bengals discovered success operating Mixon proper on the Ravens, making the most of subpar video games from inside linemen Michael Pierce and Travis Jones. That after the Ravens gave up a season-worst 178 yards on 36 makes an attempt the earlier week in opposition to the Cleveland Browns. Though the Ravens have geared their protection to assault quarterbacks and forestall downfield passes, they’re not pleased with the 4.3 yards per carry they’ve allowed, up from 3.9 final season. Smith and Queen stay their high playmakers in opposition to the run, with 213 mixed tackles.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens particular groups vs. Chargers particular groups
Justin Tucker made each his subject aim makes an attempt in opposition to the Bengals to maneuver to 19-for-23 on the season, with all his misses coming from past 50 yards. Devin Duvernay hasn’t carried out a lot with kickoffs however continues to be averaging a formidable 13 yards on punt returns. The Ravens nonetheless rank simply 18th in particular groups DVOA because of Tucker’s uncharacteristic misses and their lapses in punt protection early within the season.
The Chargers rank fourth in particular groups DVOA because of kicker Cameron Dicker, who has made 16 of 17 subject aim makes an attempt, and punt returner Derius Davis, who has averaged 15.9 yards with a landing.
EDGE: Chargers
Ravens intangibles vs. Chargers intangibles
The Ravens added to their sturdy begin with the win over Cincinnati and can profit from three further relaxation days as they make their second western journey of the season. But they misplaced Andrews, a core determine of their offense and within the locker room. With a tough December schedule looming and the Cleveland Browns on their heels within the AFC North, they know they will’t let up. They’re 4-1 on the highway.
The Chargers, in the meantime, might need performed their manner out of postseason rivalry with their loss in Green Bay. Staley and his gamers expressed mutual frustration within the aftermath, with exterior hypothesis constructing that the third-year coach would possibly quickly be out of a job. Los Angeles is simply 2-3 at dwelling.
EDGE: Ravens
Prediction
The Chargers will at all times be harmful with Herbert at quarterback and Allen catching his passes. They scored 34 in a loss to the Dolphins and 38 in a loss to the Lions. Their leaky protection, alternatively, isn’t geared up to take care of Jackson. The Ravens aren’t the staff you wish to see when your season is coming aside. Ravens 34, Chargers 24
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Source: www.bostonherald.com