Opponent Profile: Chargers Will Look To Contain Justin Forsett
By Samuel Njoku
The Ravens took care of business against the New Orleans Saints to improve to (7-4). Now they’ll have a short week to prepare for the San Diego Chargers (7-4). The playoff implications can’t be overstated in this matchup. Here’s a look at what the Ravens will need to look out for.
Chargers on Offense:
Similar to the Saints, the Chargers offense begins and ends with the quarterback. Philip Rivers is going to be a tough out for the Ravens defense on Sunday. He’s without question one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In the past, Baltimore had to worry about big time plays from Vincent Jackson, as he would routinely beat the Ravens secondary for huge chunks of yards. But with Jackson no longer with the team, a big part of the Chargers passing attack is diminished. That doesn’t mean San Diego isn’t dangerous. They still possess Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates. And though Keenan Allen hasn’t had quite the year he had his rookie season, he can still be a problem for a secondary that hasn’t played up to their potential.
If anything, Baltimore will have to play San Diego for four quarters. Last week, the Chargers struggled early against the St. Louis Rams as they failed to log in a touchdown in the first half. But they were able to score 21 points in the second half and win a tight contest against a resilient Rams squad. If Baltimore gets ahead early against the Chargers, they’ll need to keep the pressure throughout the game because Philip Rivers can get this team going in a hurry.
Chargers on Defense:
San Diego looked closely to what Justin Forsett did to the New Orleans Saints and will do their best to keep him from hurting them the same way. San Diego rush defense isn’t spectacular, but they do have enough to get the job done. Baltimore will have to do their best to force the run down their throats similar to what they did against New Orleans. The Chargers' biggest strength rests with their secondary. Brandon Flowers leads a secondary that ranks sixth in the NFL in stopping the pass. Flacco will have a tough challenge moving the ball down the field against them. It’s another reason why the Chargers want to limit Forsett’s success and make the Ravens one dimensional. If they can, they can pull the upset at M&T Bank Stadium. If they can’t, it could be a long day for the Chargers in Baltimore.
Chargers Coaching:
Mike McCoy is finishing up his second season as the head coach for the San Diego Chargers with a record of 15-11 in that time span. The Ravens lead the All-Time series against the Chargers 5-4.
For more Ravens news and updates, visit Ravens Central.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
