Will the Baltimore Ravens be ready to defend the pass tomorrow in their game at San Diego?

With LaDainian Tomlinson officially out of the game, I just do not see San Diego spending much time committed to the run.

Darren Sproles is an effective runner, and smaller-backs have had success at-times against the Ravens; but you are not going to give Sproles 15-20 carries against this defense. I am more worried about Sproles does in the return game, or out of the backfield as a receiver.

Michael Bennett is a former 1st-round choice, that can help some, but he is not going to be handed the ball repeatedly.

I expect to see Phillip Rivers spread the field, and try and attack the Ravens with Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, and Antonio Gates.

Rivers threw for over 4,000 yards last year, and had 7 games where he had at-least 30 pass-attempts.

Jackson is 6’5, 230, and Chambers is 5’11, 210. When the Charges go 3 and 4 wide with Malcolm Floyd, and Legedu Naanee, there is good-size there as well.

With LB, and Saftey attention on Gates, the Ravens CB’s are going to have to make plays on the Chargers receivers.

I think this is a game, where if the Ravens are spread-wide; that Lardarius Webb could make an impact.

Looking at the WR / CB match-ups only tell 1/2 the story though. You have to look at the match-ups at the line.

As the game-nears, Charger RG Louis Vasquez appears to likely be out of action. That could severely cripple the Chargers’ effort to keep Rivers up-right.

Reversely, the Ravens need to show they can bring more pressure than they did last week. If you are facing a QB that wants to step-up in the pocket like Rivers, you have to collapse that pocket at the point-of-attack. That starts with Ngata, and Gregg winning their match-ups.

If Ngata, and Gregg are able to bring a pass-rush from up the middle, that will open the doors for Suggs (and Barnes, and Kruger) from the outside.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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