AFC Game Of The Week
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers
Ravens: They got back to their style of football in their win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday which is running the football and the defense imposing their will on the opponent. In a year when John Harbaugh’s job was on the line coming into the season, the Ravens have done better than many have expected. I haven’t been sold on them for years and since they won their Super Bowl back in 2013, they’ve only made the playoffs once. Just imagine where the Ravens could be if they decided to name Lamar Jackson the starting quarterback from the jump. Lamar has had quite the impact on the Ravens. Since he got the starting job with Flacco injured, the Ravens running game has improved considerably and he’s a big part of that whether he’s handing it off or he’s running it himself. I’m happy to see him having success because so many questioned him when he was drafted along with the “experts” saying for him to have a nice career in the NFL, he’d have to change position. They were all wrong. Let this kid play quarterback and he’ll have to learn like all the others who came before him did. This is the best defensive team in the NFL now or they are one of the best defenses in the league and they can do so many things to make you adjust your game plan as an offense. This is a defense I wouldn’t want to see come playoff time if I’m any of the AFC teams. They’ll help kickoff week 16 on Saturday night when they travel west to face the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chargers: This team has people alert and talking. In their last three games which have been all wins, two of them came on the road. One in Pittsburgh and just last week, they snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City which I want to discuss. They were down once again on the road in a hostile environment by 14 points and they erased that lead and scored 15 points alone in the fourth quarter. Here’s one thing that people need to realize about Philip Rivers: He’s a veteran and knows a thing or two about reading defenses. That final drive on Thursday really impressed me. They never lost their cool, they took it one play at a drive, drove the ball down the field and decided to go for the win and with the two-point conversion and got it. Whoever thought that the Los Angeles Chargers would have one of the top records in the league with two games remaining? He may not win the award, but Anthony Lynn deserves some consideration for coach of the year because he’s done a phenomenal job with them and I don’t think anyone saw them tied with the Chiefs atop the division. They’ll host the Ravens on Saturday night in week 16.
Ravens Player To Watch: Gus Edwards– This kid has stepped in and given them a consistent answer at running back. He’s quiet and he goes about his business, but his results speak for themselves.
Chargers Player To Watch: Kyle Emanuel– The best way to limit a mobile quarterback is to have that spy over the middle of the field. Kyle has good speed to play sideline to sideline, he can rush the passer and he’ll be counted on to help keep Lamar Jackson in the pocket to make him throw the ball.
Final Analysis: These are the two wild card teams right now in the AFC. This is another big game for both teams, but more so the Chargers. I see LA treating this as playoff games before the playoffs and believe it or not if the Chiefs lose their next two games and the Chargers win their next two, they’re AFC West champions and the top seed in the AFC. The Ravens must win their final two games to make the playoffs and it’s a race for that sixth spot in the AFC between these Ravens, the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. This game will be all the way interesting on Saturday night.
Prediction: Chargers 28 Ravens 23
