Ravens @ Chargers: Prediction and Gametime 'Open Thread'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 11:27 AM EDT
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PrintKeep it here on Baltimore Beatdown all throughout this afternoon's week 2 game of the 2009 NFL season between two 1-0 teams, the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers. Both teams are coming off of wins that were closer than either team expected, yet were still able to pull out victories when the pressure was on them.
Check back with us here at The Beatdown to see our comments and post your thoughts as well as you watch the game unfold. While Baltimore is a three point underdog, many people are still expecting a Ravens victory, as we look to be going into this game stronger and healthier than the Chargers. Besides, when a visiting team is just a three point 'dog, that pretty much means the game is dead even, with the FG advantage to the home team. I'm probably not the only one who hopes it doesn't come down to the kicking game, but that would be a great confidence booster for Ravens placekicker Steven Hauschka, who appeared to be shaky last week in going one for two in his attempts.
How do I see this game going?
(More on 'Predictions ..." after the 'Jump')
The Chargers will be limited or without a bunch of key components to their team. Foremost will be the loss of running back LaDainian Tomlinson, but his backups, Darren Sproles and Michael Bennett plan on making that loss insignificant. Either way, I don't see the Chargers running game getting untracked against this Ravens defense, although the short swing passes and screens to Sproles could give us fits if we don't blow them up early before he gets into space. San Diego also has injuries on the offensive line, which doesn't bode well for them against the Ravens' front seven.
Defensive lineman Jamal Charles has not only been ruled out for the game, but was placed on Injured Reserve yesterday, ending his 2009 season. Combined with a less than 100% Shawne Merriman, the San Diego defense has shown a tendency to give passers time to pick apart their secondary, as evidenced by the success that Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell had last week in their near upset. The Chargers defensvie backs are solid cover men, but give any QB in this league enough time and he'll find the open receiver. Joe Flacco has found that Todd Heap does indeed get open and can catch the ball when thrown to him and he has enjoyed decent success against San Diego, as I have the signed photo hanging in my Ravens-themed basement of him diving across the goal line in the last minute thrilling victory over the Chargers here in Baltimore back in 2006. Combined with the deep threat of Mark Clayton and the best possession receiver in the league in Derrick Mason, expect the Ravens passing attack to continue their aggressive playcalling and test the Chargers secondary early and often.
Don't forget our running game which racked up almost 200 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs and plan on getting a lot of work today as well. The Ravens have their own answer to the Chargers' speedy Sproles in the form of small but game breaking Ray Rice, who went over 100 yards last week and is also a threat out of the backfield. Both Willis McGahee (2 TD's last week) and LeRon McClain figure to get the rock a bunch of times this afternoon to test the trenches of San Diego.
Defensively, expect to get a heavy dose of Chargers QB Philip Rivers, throwing to a bevy of receivers, most dangerlous the combination of WR Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates. Both guys are tall and present difficult matchups for our pass defense. Both are too fast for the bigger guys to match up against and too strong for the speed guys to cover one-on-one. Therefore, the key will be help from the safeties in back of them and more importantly, pressure from the guys up front. Pass pressure on Rivers will cause him to release the ball before his receivers break from their patterns and limit the long completions and big plays. Frustrate Rivers with stunts and blitzes, put him on the ground early and he will get angry and start yapping like he is prone to. Force him to adjust his drops and timing and he can throw interceptions or put the ball on the ground for the Ravens to jump on and create the short field that this defense has been able to do for the offense.
The good news is that this offense is fully capable of moving the ball on their own and we shall see that this was not a specific case of being able to move it against a weak defense in Kansas City. In terms that will certainly raise the ire of the Chargers faithful who visit The Beatdown to read this, I firmly believe that San Diego is highly overrated, playing in arguably the worst division in the NFL and still barely made the post season last year. The Baltimore Ravens are on a mission to make not only the playoffs but have every intention of advancing further than they did last season. While any away game in the NFL is a tough one and this may be one for most of the game, I see the Ravens physically pounding the Chargers on both sides of the balll and forcing turnovers that they use to put enough points on the board to frustrate the opponent into giving the ball up in key situations.
Although I don't expect this to be a shootout, the Ravens will score on the Chargers defense enough to win the game and the defense will ensure that the points hold up to leave San Diego at 2-0 and firmly announce to the league that they are among the NFL's elite.
Ravens 24-16
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Does anyone else remember?
This was supposed to the 2007 AFCCG Ravens vs. Chargers in San Diego.
Ray Rice is so agile. He's a whole new breed for agile you need a new word to describe his agility... UBER-AGILITY!
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Sep 20, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions
Uhhh,...we weren't going anywhere in 2007
Horrible, injury-plagued season. However, had we beaten the Colts in 2006 perhaps, just perhaps…..
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope, not perhaps
The Patriots beat the Chargers in the AFC Divisional game. So, had we beaten the Colts in 2006, we would have hosted the AFCCG in Baltimore against the Pats then gone on to demolish the Bears in the Superbowl.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
OMG - NFL RedZone is INCREDIBLE!
They have every NFL game on Live with switching between games real often for us ADHD crazed fans!
Problem is, no commercials so when do I take a bathroom break? Oops,…nevermind,…what a mess….gotta go…
aka 'Rexx'
TV in the john?
My suggestion for the bathroom break problem lol I will have Yahoo NFL page up during the game. Only way I can see what’s going on, way the hell up here in Cheese country. I wish I could afford something like you have Bruce. I look forward to the Monday Nights I get to see them. Otherwise they only show Packers here.
Go Ravens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My solution is diapers during the game. Solves all problems.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Poor Packers
on their way to losing to the Bengals, knocking half the guys in my Suicide Pool out of it, but not me. I hade the Redskins who almost blew it against the Rams.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
So if Oakland hangs on to beat KC
in KC, does that mean that SD’s win was more impressive over Oaklnad than ours was over KC?
aka 'Rexx'
Brady so fat after two games
looks like a mere shell of the guy who threw 50 TD’s 2 years ago. Regardless of their come from behind win last week, where they should have won that game but managed to pull it out of their hats, I’m nt having all that hype about their winning it all!
aka 'Rexx'
Looks like the Jets are gonna go 2-0
Rex Ryan’s press conference should be interesting and with such a big head, he’s sure to stick his foot in his mouth. If not, Bart will do it for him.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Houston's Andre Johnson a beast or what!?
If the Titans start the season 0-2 that doesn’t bode well for their playoff chances.
aka 'Rexx'
Messed up snap
lucky recovery. Can’t get away with mistakes today! This is good field position and we need to put points on the board off of this!
aka 'Rexx'
What the hell was that!?
Ed Reed what the heck were you doing on that? That’s the type of play I was talkiing about the Chargers needing to win this type of game!
aka 'Rexx'
Get points here
and while a TD is great, a FG gets us right back in it. Way to answer their quick strike.
aka 'Rexx'
It took 8 guys to take Cromartie down!
Did you see that Bruce?
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
F*** our pass defense sucks, 40 yard pass completion..........
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
mhmmmm.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Am epitamy to the phrase Ngata chance.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
7.5 more sacks to go then....
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Held to a FG
Now we go down and score again to take the lead and never look back. Good enough for you guys?
aka 'Rexx'
Yup!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
What the hell just happened on that kickoff?
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
One quarter in the books
10 points is way too much to give up as they scored on both possessions they had. Enough of that while we grind it out and punish them in the trenches, where we own the turf.
aka 'Rexx'
yo
someone tell me how to view the game on a computer for free because my tv is broke pleaze hurryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nfl.com
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
just listen to this post, BTW nice pass Flacco, 1st down.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Pass interference san diego 1-yard line 1st and goal!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
no
im so mad i cant watch this game for nothing someone if they ever find out a site where i can watch this game it would be great
Go to a buddy's house.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Well them nfl.com is about as good as you're going to get..
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Go to the Ravens radio station
97.9 FM (98 Rock). Find it on the web and stream the game through them. Good luck!
aka 'Rexx'
Our run-D is working though. sandiego stopped for 1-yard gain.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
By Ray-Ray.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
SACK!!!
Great blitz call
http://4parl.wordpress.com/ Check it out!
by Markakis and Wieters 4 Life on Sep 20, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions
“link”: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ravens-chargers
this one looks like it works pretty good.
still waiting for uber-agility to score a td...
Ray Rice is so agile. He's a whole new breed for agile you need a new word to describe his agility... UBER-AGILITY!
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Sep 20, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
I wish Heap would stop trying to 1-hand those catches.... 4th and out.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
I was yelling
“screen, screen!”
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Rivers is just throwing them up for grabs
and hoping, rightly so far, that his guys come down with them. Damn!
aka 'Rexx'
Notice my profile pic...
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Bend but don't break defense
but this continuing heartstopping defense’s lapses is going to kill me.
aka 'Rexx'
They just did a close up on Flacco, He plucked the unibrow....
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
KELLLLLLLYYY WASHHINGTON
http://4parl.wordpress.com/ Check it out!
by Markakis and Wieters 4 Life on Sep 20, 2009 5:40 PM EDT reply actions
K-WASH!!!
TD catch on great fake and great route running.
Horrible dance though!
21-13 at the half. SWEET!!!
aka 'Rexx'
And you guys say we need another WR........
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
21 points in first half is not bad, eh SD Defense?
Their three scoring drives courtesy of big plays and there they go again!
Jeez, talk about our offense having to bail us out – again!
Special Teams has been abysmal this year!
aka 'Rexx'
TAKLE HIM!!!!!! DAMN IT SPROLES UP TO THE 50....
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
I just noticed that we have 2 washington's on out team, think they're related?
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
Way too much time left
we need a TO and more points here, which would silence this crowd!
aka 'Rexx'
Defense way too soft
on that 4th down play. Need to stop the WR’s off the line with tough coverage and hitting them early.
aka 'Rexx'
Late hit BS
Typical hit to the helmet penalty to us as we get one every game from the league. Horrible cycle of plays by our defense!
aka 'Rexx'
Frank Gore already has 206 yards
and the 2nd half has just started in their game against Seattle!
aka 'Rexx'
Why do i have him benched in FF??
Oh, yeah, I’m an idiot! That explains it.
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
Holy shit, He's on my fantasy team starting today!!!!!!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Holding them to a FG is good for us in that situation
21-16. If we kick a FG in the 2nd half and they don’t score at all, then my prediction of a 24-167 Ravens victory would be sweet!
However, if it has to be a bigger spread for our win, then so be it!
aka 'Rexx'
167 point win?
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Kelley Washington dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMuvjLcuvTI&feature=player_embedded
Ray Rice is so agile. He's a whole new breed for agile you need a new word to describe his agility... UBER-AGILITY!
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Sep 20, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
Hey Bruce we have over 120 comments on this thread.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
Wow, Chicago is actually fending off the Steelers
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
Damn, McGahee is slow as Fuck.... did you see that run. Proably slower than
Matt Birk!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
Nice punt and coverage!
Now get them to go three and out so we can get the ball back and win the field position game in this half!
aka 'Rexx'
Our punting team is dank (Yes that is word)
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
Damn it I was just about to hit post when this came up.
Stole the words right out of my mouth!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Willis looks like he's running slow
but he’s getting by everyone and having a great game already!
aka 'Rexx'
Heap has OWNED San Diego!
I have a framed signed photo of him in my basement diving across the goal line like that from the 2006 win here in Baltimore.
There goes my prediction. Darn,….NOT!
aka 'Rexx'
Three guys covering and still...
a TD pass. Rivers is just throwing it up for grabs and our defense looks horrible in the secondary. Now Dawan Landry is hurt!?
aka 'Rexx'
No offense Chris Carr, but...
..perhaps someone else will return kicks from now on. Very disappointing.
aka 'Rexx'
I expected a relatively tough battle
but not a scoring slugfest! Over 350 yards passing given up!?
aka 'Rexx'
Horrible pick!
Changing the pace of the game with that poor throw. That will bring out the doubtful critics on Joe.
aka 'Rexx'
Now momentum on Chargers side
when even a FG would have put us up by 8 points. Losing the TO battle will ensure an reversal of this game if this continues!
aka 'Rexx'
Our DB's are looking like little kids
next to SD’s receivers. Every other team now knows what to do against us. Abandon the run and throw, throw, throw!
aka 'Rexx'
Frustrating chase of pace and momentum
in this game. The Ravens need to hold them to the FG and then run time off the clock and put more points on the board. At this point I have zero confidence that we can stop them from moving down the field and as long as they are within seven points they can always throw it up for grabs and come down with the ball.
aka 'Rexx'
Seven minute game
whoever wins the final seven minutes wins this game. Odds favor the home team, but we need to go back to what we do best, which is run the damn ball down their throats! Move the chains and eat the clock! Put a TD or even a FG on the board and force them to throw an interception.
Where are you Ed Reed?
aka 'Rexx'
Gives us the "out" if we lose
but don’t even begin to think that way! A win and we’re in the lead in the AFC North!
Come on defense, here is where you make up for the first 3+ quarters of the game. A Reed pick-six puts the game away NOW!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
WOOHOO!!!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Now they are showing the Balt/SD game which is good. I like it better on a 32" flat screen than on my monitor lol
Now that the Pack lost at home
to lowly Cincy!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
knocked 37 of the 100 people out of my suicide pool
but not me, as I had the Redskins, who almost gave it away!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Sep 20, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
BARNES
http://4parl.wordpress.com/ Check it out!
by Markakis and Wieters 4 Life on Sep 20, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions
Hey, Ravens fans!
I’m a Bronco fan who just finished watching our destruction of the Browns, and would like to wish the same luck to the Ravens over the hated Bolts.
Go Ravens D!
Jeez, Joe!
Why don’t they run it three times into the middle, run the clock down, force SD to use their timeouts and then kick a FG. Now they put the pressure on Steve Hauschka, who has been shaky. If he misses this time, his job is on the line.
I wanted Graham Gano all along anyway!
aka 'Rexx'
Nice!
Solid kick and good points on the TO. Now they need a TD to win and not a lot of time. Keep the kick return from breaking out to start then pressure Rivers into one more TO.
aka 'Rexx'
Gotta put some blame on our safeties!
Where’s the backside help? I know Landry might be on Gates, but put some extra DB’s out there to leave Ed free to roam and help those guys!
aka 'Rexx'
210+ comments Bruce, Breaking a record yet?
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
More than enough time!
If SD scores they will go for two points to make it a FG difference and the pressure is then on Joe to deliver. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
aka 'Rexx'
Mad credit to Frank
He made a play when it mattered. It was awesome to win this one Bruce.
Scott Hines
Knock that ball loose!
Gonna come down to the wire and the last few seconds will decide who wins. Come on Ed, how about adding to your legend!? Right about NOW!
aka 'Rexx'
YEAH BOY!!!!!!!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Yet all four on CBS pre-game picked the Ravens
So, the more objective group of analysts saw this for Baltimore. Wonder what that says about who The Sun lets write for them…
Jim Palmer: "I said to Nolan, 'Why do you run every ball out like that?' and he said, 'Why wouldn’t you?' "
This means they are all being fired ( BTW 100th BB post!!!!!!!!!)
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Good Game Good Game
First Placeee, baby
by NYYEastcosterNJD on Sep 20, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions
2-0 and coming home to face the Browns
with Pittsburgh at Cincy who beat GB in GB and if Cincy wins, then we’ll open a gap on the Steelers.
aka 'Rexx'
WE ARE BEASTS!!!!
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Many thanks!
As a Bronco fan, I salute you, while simultaneously fearing Ray Lewis.
Great game, folks!
Wow, having no one to pick up Ray makes you pay. I love it!!!
"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh
by purpleonblack86 on Sep 20, 2009 7:33 PM EDT reply actions
BTW Bruce, What did you do with those Levitra/Viagra Spammers?
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
Agreed.
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Zachary Beard on Sep 20, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
d
Always knew are d would suffer when our o got better but this is bs…. A win is a win but foxworth and washington were next to worthless! Wtf!
by lastcallbmore on Sep 20, 2009 9:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Thanks for the great day guys!
Tons of comments and a great Ravens victory over a tough team who has now lost only only their fifth game in their last 25 home games!
BTW, September is already our 3rd best month EVER, with almost 49,000 visits including over 3,000 visits and over 5,000 page views yesterday. Our all time high of just over 55,000 visits will surely be broken this month as we still have 10 days left! Not great compared to some blogs, but we are moving on up! Thanks to all of you!
aka 'Rexx'
Let me help you with the comment section, +1 comment....
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
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