The Los Angeles Chargers will be playing their final regular season home game in yet another primetime match-up Saturday night. The Baltimore Ravens will come into town, and both teams have a lot at stake.
The Ravens are heading into the StubHub Center off a win against the Buccaneers last Sunday. There is a scenario in which the Ravens lose and can be eliminated from playoff contention this week, so their season is very well on the line. As for the Chargers, they will be playing January football regardless of the result tomorrow (Saturday), but a loss could very well cost them a chance at the division depending on the result of the Kansas City Chiefs game in Seattle Sunday evening.
As for injuries, The Chargers will be having Nose Tackle Brandon Mebane and Running Back Melvin Gordon return to the line up. Keenan Allen injured his hip last Thursday in Kansas City, and is listed as questionable for Saturday. He was limited in practice all week. Austin Ekeler (neck) and Sean Culkin (back) will not play Saturday.
The Ravens have four players with injures limiting them this week. Nick Boyle (Concussion), Matt Judon (knee), Anthony Levine Sr. (toe/ankle) and Alex Lewis (shoulder) are all questionable.
The Chargers will have a few extra days heading into this game because of the Thursday Night game for the Chargers. Los Angeles has not lost a primetime game this season, but in both night games this year, they have had to come back from 14+ point second half deficits to win both games.
A key component for the Chargers on Saturday will be starting the game off quicker than they have been against strong opponents. Another key will be getting stops on third downs defensively. Kansas City was able to extend plays on third down and convert, which hurt the Chargers in the first three quarters of last weeks game. If the Chargers can do those two main things, they will have good success Saturday.
The Chargers will have to fight for all four quarters in this game against the Ravens defense. The Chargers will want to contain Lamar Jackson. Brandon Mebane in the middle will be a large help.
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