If misery does indeed enjoy company, then the San Diego Chargers are headed to the right place. The Chargers and Baltimore Ravens are each on the verge of a fourth straight loss, which would go a long way in sinking either team’s hopes for a playoff spot. Heartbreak has been a theme for the Ravens with each of their six losses decided by one score.
ODDS
Baltimore opened as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 50. Both teams have been a money pit for betters with San Diego 2-5 ATS and Baltimore 1-5-1 ATS. The line was wagered to -3 with the total staying at 50.
KEY INJURIES
Antonio Gates – Just completed a four-game suspension then missed last week’s game with a sprained MCL. He is unlikely to play Sunday and could be looking at a multi-week injury, according to reports. San Diego has a capable replacement at tight end in Ladarius Green.
Denzel Perryman – Suffered a torn pectoral muscle last week and is out indefinitely. Undrafted rookie Nick Dzubnar saw his first action on defense as a replacement.
Eugene Monroe – Was forced out of Monday’s game with a shoulder injury. The Ravens starting left tackle was replaced by James Hurst, who would likely start Sunday if Monroe has lingering issues.
KEY MISMATCH
The Ravens need to find a way to slow down San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers to have any chance of winning. San Diego has the top-ranked offense in the league and Rivers has a decidedly favorable matchup with his receivers lined up against Baltimore’s beleaguered secondary. The Ravens have struggled to put together a consistent pass rush this season and this will be crucial to keep Rivers from getting too comfortable in the pocket and picking them apart. With no run game and a poor defense, Rivers has an increased workload this season, attempting 209 passes over his last four games. He leads the NFL with 2,452 passing yards, putting him on pace for an NFL record.
KEY STAT
-7 – Baltimore’s turnover margin. The Ravens are tied for 29th in the league in turnover differential and have only four takeaways this season, none since Sept. 27. The Chargers have turned the ball over 13 times and their margin is slightly better at minus-6.
BETTING ANGLE
Based on their last-minute defeats week after week, the Ravens have become the NFL’s best worst team ever. Baltimore is the first team in NFL history to lose six of their first seven games by no more than one score. While it’s not the kind of stat the Ravens are proud of, it does show that they remain competitive at a time when other teams are falling apart. Baltimore’s six losses have come by a total of 30 points. Compare that to the Lions, whose six losses have been by 64 points, or the 49ers, who have dropped five games by a combined 99 points. The brunt of the worst start in team history still falls on the players. Baltimore has had a chance to tie or win in the final two minutes of every game, and that’s little consolation since the Ravens have already matched their loss total from last season. No one expects the Ravens to go on a historic run to the playoffs, but some believe they can regain some respectability over the final nine games with six coming at home.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Two of the top quarterbacks in the league going against shaky defenses mean this could be a shootout. While both teams may have dug too deep a hole to climb out of and make the playoffs, they are two proud franchises. In fact neither has won fewer than seven games since 2008, but the loser here may not reach that total. Baltimore’s brutal first half schedule is behind them and six of their last nine come at home. It’s a chance to make a run, but the Ravens need to start winning the close games. This is likely another tight one and San Diego’s defense has been unable to come up with a big stop when needed. That can be disastrous in a close game on the road. Flacco has a big game and outduels Rivers in a game that has over written all over it.
Baltimore 30, San Diego 26
BookMaker sent out the NFL online odds for this Sunday game at Baltimore -4.5 with a total of 50. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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