Both the San Diego Chargers (2-5) and the Baltimore Ravens (1-6) come into this week’s matchup hoping to end their respective losing streaks, with each team currently on a three-game losing streak. This game will feature the NFL’s top passer, Philip Rivers (2,452 yards, 15 TDs), and third-leading receiver, Keenan Allen (690 yards, 3 TDs). It will begin Sunday, Nov 1 at 1:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS.
Baltimore lost to the Cardinals 26-18 last week. Daryl Smith led the way for the Baltimore defense in the loss, registering eight tackles. San Diego came up short as well, getting beat by the Raiders 37-29. Danny Woodhead had an outstanding performance for the Chargers, racking up 101 total yards and two TDs. He gave the defense problems as both a runner (26 yards) and receiver (75 yards). Philip Rivers had a big game as well, totaling 336 yards and three TDs through the air.
The Ravens, a three-point favorite, will be looking to defend their home field when San Diego visits. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is 50 points.
The Ravens enter the game with records of 1-6 Straight Up (SU) and 1-5-1 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. In the past five games, Baltimore is 1-4 SU and 1-3-1 ATS. The Ravens may look to take advantage of a San Diego defense that allows an average of 5.3 yards per run, which is highest in the league. As for the Baltimore defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. Baltimore’s defense will look to improve its stats against the run when the Chargers come to town. San Diego’s 87 rushing yards per game ranks 29th in the NFL. One of the keys to the game will be if the Ravens can take advantage of San Diego’s shaky pass protection, which ranks 27th in the league in sacks allowed with 3.7 per road game. Based on its tendencies, the San Diego defense might give up an early score. The Chargers allow their opponents an average of 6.3 points in the first 15 minutes. On special teams, Baltimore has some playmakers. They average 117 return yards per game at home, the most in the NFL.
As for their opponent, the Chargers have a record of 2-5 for both ATS and SU. In the previous five games, San Diego has a record of 1-4 for both SU and ATS. If earlier games are any indication, the Chargers will throw the ball often on offense. They average 343.7 passing yards per game, good enough for first in the NFL. Switching gears to the San Diego defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Ravens. The Chargers pass defense makes opponents earn every catch, allowing a completion percentage of 57.0% on the road. The Chargers generally save their best for last, averaging 10.7 points in the fourth quarter. San Diego tends to control the time of possession during games, averaging a time of 33:37 for third in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bal, ATS Winner – SD, O/U – Under
Notes
Baltimore is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games.
Baltimore is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games.
Baltimore is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games at home.
Baltimore is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing San Diego.
Both teams are 0-1 SU when leading at the half this season, and both teams are 1-4 when losing at halftime.
San Diego has provoked an average of 8.0 penalties per game on opponents this season. Baltimore is winless (0-3 SU) when penalized eight or more times in a game.
Baltimore is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 19th-ranked rushing attack will face the 31st-ranked run defense of San Diego, while its 10th-ranked run defense will look to contain the 29th-ranked rushing game of the Chargers.
