Preview: Ravens Travel to LA to Face Chargers on Sunday Night

The Baltimore Ravens get set to hit the road this week for the first time in three weeks, as they get ready for their second straight primetime game this time on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens are coming off a decisive 34-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last Thursday night. The Ravens win over the Bengals moved them to 8-3 on the year and with the Chiefs loss to the Eagles last Monday night, the Ravens are currently the number one seed in the AFC. The Chargers enter Sunday a disappointing 4-6 and on a two game losing streak, as they fell to the Green Bay Packers by a final of 23-20 last Sunday.

The Ravens will be without linebacker Trenton Simpson as he will be out for the second straight week with a concussion. Fellow linebacker Malik Harrison appeared on the injury report on Friday with a groin injury and is listed as doubtful. Tight end Charlie Kolar who is expected to see an increased role with Mark Andrews likely out the remainder of the season did not practice Friday due to an illness and is listed as questionable. Wide receivers Zay Flowers (hip) and Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder) both practiced in full on Friday and are both listed as questionable. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) both missed last Thursdays game but both are listed as questionable for Sunday. Cornerback Damarion Williams, who has been on injured reserve with an ankle injury practiced for the first time this week and is also listed as questionable.

For the Chargers they will be without safety JT Woods (illness) and tight end Nick Vannett (concussion). TIght end Gerald Everett (chest) practiced in full and is listed as questionable. While wide receiver Jalen Guyton (groin) was limited in practice on Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Players to Watch:

Patrick Ricard

The unsung hero of the Ravens offense, fullback Patrick Ricard is one of the most important pieces to a Ravens offense that has had a lot of success through the first 11 weeks of the season. Ricard is labeled as a fullback but he does so much more. At one point a defensive lineman, Ricard not only helps lead the way for Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell, but he also acts as an additional offensive lineman and various formations.

Ricard isn’t just a blocker but also a receiver catching four passes for 48 yards so far this season. The versatility of Ricard makes him a player to watch as he is the engine that makes this offense run in not only the run game, but also what he can do in the pass game, both blocking, and the need for defenses to watch him out of the backfield as a receiver.

Kenneth Murray Jr.

Fourth-year linebacker Kenneth Murray has for some failed to live up to his ability that made him a first round selection by the Chargers in 2020. Murray and current Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen were touted as two of the best linebackers in that years draft with some projections that Murray would be who the Ravens selected instead of Queen. While the talent was their it hasn’t been until this year that Murray appears to be putting it all together.

Through 10 games Murray leads the Chargers with 75 tackles, seven of which are tackles for loss. Murray much like Queen has improved in his pass coverage as he also has one interception. Murray’s ability to find the ball and quickness to get sideline to sideline makes him a player to keep an eye on Sunday night.

Prediction

Much like last week the Ravens will face a team desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Ravens are desperate in their own right to keep the number one seed in the AFC in sight. The Ravens continue to deal with some key injuries, and with the bye week on the horizon, the Ravens will need to stay focused Sunday night against a Chargers team that seems better than their record indicates.

The Chargers are a difficult team to gage as they rank 31st in the NFL in total defense giving up nearly 400 yards a game, but offensively they rank near the top 10 averaging just over 350 yards per game. The Ravens defense will have their hands full trying to stop Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Keenan Allen. On paper the Ravens are the superior team, but the Chargers ability to protect the ball this season, ranking near the top in turnover differential, and their ability to score on offense averaging nearly 26 points per game could make Sunday night a close contest. The Ravens offense will be able to move the ball as they please, but it will be touchdowns instead of field goals that will make the difference on Sunday, along with a quick start. Ravens dominate on offense and do just enough defensively to take the win in LA by a final of 31-20.

Line: Baltimore -3.5

Over/Under: 48.5

All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 8-5

Last Meeting: 10/17/21 Baltimore 34-6