The Baltimore Ravens closed their schedule against NFC South with a sweep as they handed the New Orleans Saints a third-straight home loss. They return to conference play as they welcome the San Diego Chargers to M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. Can the Ravens ride their big win over the Saints to further their bid for the AFC North title? Or will the Chargers extend their win streak to three straight games?
The Ravens are playing to catch up to AFC North leaders, the Cincinnati Bengals. Check out our preview for the Bengals vs. Buccanners game for a glimpse at how the division will shape up in Week 13. You can also read our complete picks and predictions for all the football games in the week.
[sc:Football ]San Diego Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens Preview
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
When: Sunday, November 30, 1:00 PM ET
Line: San Diego Chargers (+5.5) at Baltimore Ravens (-5.5); total 46.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers started and ended their 27-24 victory over St. Louis on Sunday with a couple of crucial interceptions. Cornerback Brandon Flowers had an interception in the Rams’ opening drive, which set up San Diego’s first score—a 23-yard field goal. And with 56 seconds remaining in the game, it was strong safety Marcus Gilchrist who made a crucial play for the Chargers, intercepting Rams quarterback Shaun Hill’s pass on a goal line stand.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Flowers and Gilchrist may have a decrease in workload against the Ravens though, considering Baltimore’s inclination to run the ball. Against the rush, the Chargers have allowed 108.8 yards rushing (18th in the league) and have given up seven rushing touchdowns. They’ll need a more concerted effort in containing Baltimore’s Justin Forsett, who leads the NFL with 5.8 yards per carry among starting running backs.
The Chargers answer with their own running back Ryan Mathews. San Diego’s lead back has rushed for 175 yards and a score on 28 carries in the two games since his return from a shoulder injury. However, the Chargers may find it more manageable to move the chains through quarterback Philip Rivers.
The San Diego quarterback was efficient against the Rams, completing 82.9 percent of his passes for 291 yards and a score. Rivers should be able to move the Chargers up the field against a vulnerable Ravens pass defense. The Ravens allowed the strong-armed Drew Brees to throw for 420 yards and three touchdowns on Monday, and have given up an average of 266.5 yards passing through 11 games.
On the receiving end, tight end Antonio Gates, who leads the Chargers with nine touchdown receptions, should be up for a big game considering two of the three passing touchdowns scored against the Ravens on Monday came from Saints tight end Jimmy Graham. Rivers won’t be limited to Gates to score on touchdowns though as wide receivers Malcom Floyd (four) and Eddie Royal (five) are both capable of lighting up the scoreboard.
The Chargers are 0-3 ATS in their last three games.
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Betting on the Baltimore Ravens
On Monday Night Football, Ravens running back Forsett’s star shone the brightest. Forsett had eight runs of 10 yards or more to finish with 182 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, powering the Ravens to a 34-27 win over the Saints.
Meanwhile, quarterback Joe Flacco went 18-for-24 for 243 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., his first scoring catch since Week 6. Against a San Diego defense which ranks ninth in the league (allowed an average of 330.1 total yards per game), expect the Ravens to mix up their attack.
Forsett may be able to exploit a San Diego front seven which allows 4.4 yards per carry for another explosive performance, while Flacco will have receivers Smith Sr. or Torrey Smith capable of creating some big plays to gain some yardage in the air. Still, they may find it difficult to score against a Chargers defense which has allowed only 19.6 points per game (fourth in the league).
On the other side of the ball, strong safety Will Hill had a big game, breaking up two passes and returning a Drew Brees interception for a 44-yard touchdown. Hill should remain a threat against the Chargers, especially with Rivers throwing four interceptions in his last three games.
The Ravens front seven also had a big game with four sacks on the Saints’ Brees led by linebacker Elvis Dumervil’s two sacks. Dumervil should be able to navigate past San Diego’s offensive line, which has allowed nine sacks on Rivers in the past three games.
The Ravens are 4-0 SU/ATS in their last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ravens do just enough to win and cover -5.5, but the Chargers’ defense makes this a tight low-scoring game.
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