Ravens (7-4) AT Chargers (7-3)
When: Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV: ESPN (Los Angeles), ESPN (San Diego), ESPN App (streaming)
Radio: Los Angeles: KYSR-FM (98.7), LA Spanish: 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (LA Spanish)
Line: Ravens by -2
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: OUT: TE Hayden Hurst (hip), LB Denzel Perryman (groin). Questionable: OLB Bud Dupree (foot), S AJ Finley (ankle), CB Cam Hart (concussion/ankle), DB Deane Leonard (hamstring), OLB Khalil Mack (groin), WR Ladd McConkey (shoulder)
Ravens: OUT: S Sanoussi Kane (ankle), CB Arthur Maulet (calf). Questionable: DT Travis Jones (ankle), C Tyler Linderbaum (back), LB Roquan Smith (hamstring)
What's at stake? For the Chargers, the players know what it would mean for Jim to beat his brother for the first time. It would also show them they can beat a top AFC opponent that they might see in the playoffs.
For the Ravens, it could be them righting the ship. They are coming off an ugly loss to the Steelers and could use the win. Especially after the Steelers lost to the Browns on TNF. Also gives John further bragging rights against little brother.
Who's better? Slight advantage Ravens. When a team has a running back like Derrick Henry you give them the advantage. But in all reality the Chargers are in year one under Jim while the Ravens are in year 16 under John. Continuity matters.
Matchup to watch: Chargers defense vs. Derrick Henry. The Steelers did a good job of slowing down Henry last week, so the Chargers defense may feel his wrath. It doesn’t help that linebacker Denzel Perryman won’t play but the defense will need to neutralize him to have a chance at victory.
Chargers win if: they can consistently disrupt Lamar Jackson. This team goes as their quarterback does, so if Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Joey Bosa, and Bud Dupree can bring consistent pressure to Jackson and keep him in the pocket they can win. That is a big IF though.
Fantasy sleeper: Ladd McConkey. This feels like a bright lights big game from the Chargers rookie receiver. The Ravens feature one of the worst secondaries in the NFL, so expect Justin Herbert and McConkey to take it to them.
Prediction: Just like last week this is a tough game to predict…very tough. The Ravens are a tough team but playing the Steelers and Chargers back-to-back is rough. Chargers 24 Ravens 20