Ravens Must Win & Chargers Need to Win
Week 16 of the NFL season means fans have games that hold significant playoff implications. One of those games is this Saturday’s matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers. Both clubs currently occupy playoff positions in the AFC. The Ravens have yet to secure a playoff berth. They have both the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans hot on their heels. Every win counts at this stage of the season, so Saturday will be a critical game.
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Chargers -4 O/U: 42
At 8-6, the Baltimore Ravens have the slight edge over the Colts and Titans. They attained that edge because of their superior winning percentage within the AFC. A single loss will really hurt the Ravens’ chances at making the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens match up. Saturday will be the Ravens’ most important game of the season to date.
The Chargers pulled off an incredible victory over the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. They now have the opportunity to overtake the Chiefs in the division and earn a First Round Bye. A lot is riding on Saturday night’s matchup for both clubs.
This, That and a Dart Throw
Baltimore has won four of five since rookie Lamar Jackson took over as the starting quarterback. The only loss came in overtime at Kansas City. Jackson has yet to throw for more than 178 yards in either of his five starts. He has double-digit rushes in each game to help Baltimore become the first team since the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976 to rush for at least 190 yards in five consecutive games.
Los Angeles made it four straight wins and 10 of 11 despite. This was an injury to top receiver Keenan Allen and the absence of top running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Gordon is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out the past three games due to a sprained MCL. He has rushed for 802 yards and nine touchdowns while also snagging 44 passes for four more scores. Allen is a game-time decision. 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams scored three touchdowns on a season-high seven receptions against Kansas City. The performance earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Rivers is having an MVP season with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Chargers have the ninth-ranked run defense at 103.7 yards per game.
PREDICTION: Chargers 26, Ravens 23
NFL Betting Odds & Trends
Baltimore Ravens |
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The Ravens are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games |
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 12 games |
The Ravens are 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road |
Baltimore is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games on the road |
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games on the road |
The Ravens are 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Chargers |
The Ravens are 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing LA Chargers |
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games when playing LA Chargers |
Los Angeles Chargers |
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LA Chargers is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games |
LA Chargers is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games |
LA Chargers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home |
LA Chargers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home |
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Chargers’s last 5 games at home |
LA Chargers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore |
LA Chargers is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore |
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Chargers’s last 6 games when playing Baltimore |
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