Bet Ravens Chargers – Chargers Look To Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive Versus Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have earned a reputation this season for winning big games, only to falter to inferior teams on the heels of those emotional victories and fail to make substantial ground. Those tough losses are the reason why the Ravens are still tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North despite beating them in both of their head-to-head meetings this year, and a reason why it may actually be a good thing for Baltimore fans that the San Diego Chargers have been so good heading in to their showdown on Sunday Night Football this weekend.

Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers

It seems as though every December, Phillip Rivers and the Chargers manage to come alive and get on an extended winning streak, regardless of their play leading up to the month. San Diego is still only two games back of the division lead in the AFC West, and will lay it all on the line against the Ravens for a chance to keep their hopes alive as sports betting underdogs.

Bet Ravens Chargers Preview: Baltimore Ravens

The return of linebacker Ray Lewis to the lineup should provide both an emotional and physical boost for the Baltimore defense, which once again ranks in the top-five in the NFL against both the run and the pass. The Ravens allowed just 10 points in consecutive wins over the past two weeks against inferior opponents, and that allowed Lewis to rest and recover for this game. While the defense can be relied on without doubt, the same cannot be said about the Baltimore offense, which has failed to progress the way that the coaching staff would have liked with Joe Flacco under center. The Ravens are still their best when they allow running back Ray Rice to pound the rock and open things up for the passing game, and it will be interesting to see if they go that direction in this game.

Bet Ravens Chargers Preview: San Diego Chargers

For the Chargers in December there really is only one direction, which is downfield as Rivers continues to air it out for the league’s seventh-ranked passing attack. Rivers is finally getting some of his top targets back healthy with Vincent Jackson and Patrick Crayton healthy, and the result has been a more explosive attack as San Diego has scored at least 37 points in consecutive wins. The defense hasn’t been a liability either, particularly with its ability to create turnovers.

Bet Ravens Chargers Preview: Outlook & Pick

In order for the Chargers to have a chance at winning this game, they will need Rivers to be firing on all cylinders, something that he has shown he has no problem doing in the month of December throughout his career. San Diego is a talented team that is finally getting healthy, and they will prove it in a statement game against a Ravens’ team forced to fly to the west coast and that is overdue for a loss even though they are listed as favorites by the sportsbook.