TheSanityAnnex
09-28-2006, 07:34 PM
Take 2: Chargers vs. Ravens
ESPN Insider
By Scouts, Inc.
The Ravens' defense is very physical defense and is obviously playing at a very high level. The unit is equally tough attacking the passer and stuffing the run.
The secondary didn't play particularly well in Cleveland last week, but three of the four starters -- Ed Reed, Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are Pro Bowl-caliber performers. They will need to rebound this week and make life very tough on the Chargers' group of ordinary wide receivers.
• Both teams could have a very difficult time protecting their passers, as both defensive fronts are loaded with talent, aggression and mismatches in their favor across the board. The Ravens left tackle, Jonathan Ogden, is still a very good player, but will probably have to try to stymie OLB Shawne Merriman one on one, since the Ravens will not be able to assign a running back or tight end to help.
The same may be true for rookie LT Marcus McNeil, who will draw the assignment of battling RDE Terrell Suggs. McNeil will probably get more help than Ogden, but both passers are going to take some big hits when they drop back.
• Even though the Ravens are extremely stout against the run and running backs simply are not producing against them, LaDainian Tomlinson is special and very difficult for any defense to contain. He is a rare talent, who is extremely powerful, low, quick and explosive. He sees the field very well and can exploit a gap mistake by the defense for a long gain.
The Chargers will feed him the ball over and over, even if the running game is sputtering early on. Tomlinson will also be used on quick passes out of the backfield to slow down Baltimore's pass rush and ease the burden on Philip Rivers. He already has a team-leading 10 receptions in the Chargers' two games. The Ravens might slow Tomlinson down, but they won't stop him.
• Shawne Merriman might be best defensive player in the league in just his second season. Not only is he loaded with physical talent and great size for the position, but he is an extremely hard worker both on and off the field. His attention to detail and desire to be great is what separates him from other talented young defenders around the league.
There are times when he is just unblockable. As a pass rusher, he has the ability to bull rush offensive tackles or run past them with his speed and quickness. Merriman also makes a ton of plays against the run, either right at him or as a backside pursuit player. This game also is a coming home party for Merriman, who played at the University of Maryland.
• Rarely will you see a game featuring tight ends as good as Antonio Gates and Todd Heap. Both players will be counted on to provide a big target for their quarterbacks, who are surely going to be under a heavy pass rush.
Both Gates and Heap are tall, with large catching frames, making them tough assignments for defensive backs. They are also quick and tight route runners who are very difficult for linebackers to keep up with. As good as the Ravens' defense has been, opposing tight ends have had success this season through three games.
• Philip Rivers will be tested mentally in this game. He must keep his cool and stay patient on the road in Baltimore. This could be his first big challenge from a mental perspective and he will have to keep his team from crumbling when the going gets tough. This game could be a battle of wills, with the mentally tougher team prevailing in the end. His counterpart, McNair, will certainly be up to the challenge.
• The Ravens have moved the ball well on offense against some suspect defenses, but they haven't done a real good job of scoring touchdowns or stretching the field with a potent deep passing game. Part of the reason the Ravens haven't had to expand their offense is because they have handled lesser opponents and dominated the game with their defense. This week should be different. Baltimore has a fine set of weapons and this will be McNair's fourth regular season game in the system. It is time for him to push the envelope more.
• San Diego has made some improvements in their secondary, but the group has yet to be really tested in the Chargers' first two games. McNair will surely take some shots this week deep down the field to see just how improved that San Diego secondary really is. Heap is a matchup problem against the Chargers' heavier 3-4 linebackers and may need to be bracketed by a linebacker and safety. This attention should free up Derrick Mason or up-and-comer Mark Clayton, if the Ravens can protect McNair long enough to go deep.
Special Teams
The Chargers resigned PK Nate Kaeding to a six-year contract extension this week, which shows how happy San Diego is with its young, talented kicker. The Ravens' Matt Stover has been outstanding all season and won the game last week with just seconds on the clock in Cleveland by drilling a 52-yarder. Both San Diego and Baltimore are very good on special teams. The Ravens could have a slight edge overall due to Stover's history of performing in the clutch, and this game could very well come down to a last- minute field goal attempt.
Matchups
• San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson against Baltimore MLB Ray Lewis
• Baltimore LT Jonathan Ogden against San Diego OLB Shawne Merriman
• Baltimore OC Mike Flynn against San Diego NT Jamal Williams
• San Diego QB Philip Rivers against Baltimore FS Ed Reed
• San Diego LT Marcus McNeill against Baltimore RDE Terrell Suggs
Scouts' Edge
The Chargers have the advantage of having two weeks to prepare for this game, but face the disadvantage of having to travel across the country to a hostile environment in Baltimore. Both teams are undefeated, but neither have beaten a true quality opponent. This game with be a barometer. The Chargers have won their two games by a combined score of 67-7. Of course, both defenses are very strong, so the quarterback play could make the difference.
Rivers has an advantage over McNair, as he shares the backfield with Tomlinson. McNair has done an outstanding job of managing the game and not making mistakes, but more will be asked of him this week. The Chargers will make a statement this weekend and win a very physical football game on the road.
Prediction: Chargers 17, Ravens 13
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I agree with all of this article except the final score. Yeah Baltimore's defense is tough, but San Diego's is tougher, and ranked #1. Baltimore's offense sucks as well and their O-line is in shambles. I see a Chargers victory by at least 14 points.
ESPN Insider
By Scouts, Inc.
The Ravens' defense is very physical defense and is obviously playing at a very high level. The unit is equally tough attacking the passer and stuffing the run.
The secondary didn't play particularly well in Cleveland last week, but three of the four starters -- Ed Reed, Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are Pro Bowl-caliber performers. They will need to rebound this week and make life very tough on the Chargers' group of ordinary wide receivers.
• Both teams could have a very difficult time protecting their passers, as both defensive fronts are loaded with talent, aggression and mismatches in their favor across the board. The Ravens left tackle, Jonathan Ogden, is still a very good player, but will probably have to try to stymie OLB Shawne Merriman one on one, since the Ravens will not be able to assign a running back or tight end to help.
The same may be true for rookie LT Marcus McNeil, who will draw the assignment of battling RDE Terrell Suggs. McNeil will probably get more help than Ogden, but both passers are going to take some big hits when they drop back.
• Even though the Ravens are extremely stout against the run and running backs simply are not producing against them, LaDainian Tomlinson is special and very difficult for any defense to contain. He is a rare talent, who is extremely powerful, low, quick and explosive. He sees the field very well and can exploit a gap mistake by the defense for a long gain.
The Chargers will feed him the ball over and over, even if the running game is sputtering early on. Tomlinson will also be used on quick passes out of the backfield to slow down Baltimore's pass rush and ease the burden on Philip Rivers. He already has a team-leading 10 receptions in the Chargers' two games. The Ravens might slow Tomlinson down, but they won't stop him.
• Shawne Merriman might be best defensive player in the league in just his second season. Not only is he loaded with physical talent and great size for the position, but he is an extremely hard worker both on and off the field. His attention to detail and desire to be great is what separates him from other talented young defenders around the league.
There are times when he is just unblockable. As a pass rusher, he has the ability to bull rush offensive tackles or run past them with his speed and quickness. Merriman also makes a ton of plays against the run, either right at him or as a backside pursuit player. This game also is a coming home party for Merriman, who played at the University of Maryland.
• Rarely will you see a game featuring tight ends as good as Antonio Gates and Todd Heap. Both players will be counted on to provide a big target for their quarterbacks, who are surely going to be under a heavy pass rush.
Both Gates and Heap are tall, with large catching frames, making them tough assignments for defensive backs. They are also quick and tight route runners who are very difficult for linebackers to keep up with. As good as the Ravens' defense has been, opposing tight ends have had success this season through three games.
• Philip Rivers will be tested mentally in this game. He must keep his cool and stay patient on the road in Baltimore. This could be his first big challenge from a mental perspective and he will have to keep his team from crumbling when the going gets tough. This game could be a battle of wills, with the mentally tougher team prevailing in the end. His counterpart, McNair, will certainly be up to the challenge.
• The Ravens have moved the ball well on offense against some suspect defenses, but they haven't done a real good job of scoring touchdowns or stretching the field with a potent deep passing game. Part of the reason the Ravens haven't had to expand their offense is because they have handled lesser opponents and dominated the game with their defense. This week should be different. Baltimore has a fine set of weapons and this will be McNair's fourth regular season game in the system. It is time for him to push the envelope more.
• San Diego has made some improvements in their secondary, but the group has yet to be really tested in the Chargers' first two games. McNair will surely take some shots this week deep down the field to see just how improved that San Diego secondary really is. Heap is a matchup problem against the Chargers' heavier 3-4 linebackers and may need to be bracketed by a linebacker and safety. This attention should free up Derrick Mason or up-and-comer Mark Clayton, if the Ravens can protect McNair long enough to go deep.
Special Teams
The Chargers resigned PK Nate Kaeding to a six-year contract extension this week, which shows how happy San Diego is with its young, talented kicker. The Ravens' Matt Stover has been outstanding all season and won the game last week with just seconds on the clock in Cleveland by drilling a 52-yarder. Both San Diego and Baltimore are very good on special teams. The Ravens could have a slight edge overall due to Stover's history of performing in the clutch, and this game could very well come down to a last- minute field goal attempt.
Matchups
• San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson against Baltimore MLB Ray Lewis
• Baltimore LT Jonathan Ogden against San Diego OLB Shawne Merriman
• Baltimore OC Mike Flynn against San Diego NT Jamal Williams
• San Diego QB Philip Rivers against Baltimore FS Ed Reed
• San Diego LT Marcus McNeill against Baltimore RDE Terrell Suggs
Scouts' Edge
The Chargers have the advantage of having two weeks to prepare for this game, but face the disadvantage of having to travel across the country to a hostile environment in Baltimore. Both teams are undefeated, but neither have beaten a true quality opponent. This game with be a barometer. The Chargers have won their two games by a combined score of 67-7. Of course, both defenses are very strong, so the quarterback play could make the difference.
Rivers has an advantage over McNair, as he shares the backfield with Tomlinson. McNair has done an outstanding job of managing the game and not making mistakes, but more will be asked of him this week. The Chargers will make a statement this weekend and win a very physical football game on the road.
Prediction: Chargers 17, Ravens 13
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I agree with all of this article except the final score. Yeah Baltimore's defense is tough, but San Diego's is tougher, and ranked #1. Baltimore's offense sucks as well and their O-line is in shambles. I see a Chargers victory by at least 14 points.