Chargers-Ravens Fantasy Football Preview: Rolling the Dice

Within the plethora of games this week to preview, the Chargers-Ravens matchup is about as intriguing as the mesmorizing dance moves of “Green Man.”

Sure, we can talk about Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson, but we can also favor more predictable topics such as cookies and milk and the natural passing of gas; this is more entertaining and informative.

For the Chargers, they will have to not only prove that last week’s struggle against Oakland was due to perhaps opening-day jitters but also prove to themselves they can survive without LaDainian Tomlinson.

For the Ravens, this vaunted defense will have to shore up some flaws from last week’s porous performance against Kansas City while riding the hot electrifying arm of Joe Flacco.

From a Fantasy aspect, there are more choices to navigate through than your favorite $9.99 buffet, but, with a little thought, we should be able to see where the value is or is not.

Let’s see what’s what.

The Quarterbacks

We begin with Flacco, the head-turning quarterback that has brought salvation to the Raven faithful. Last week Flacco threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, but he did it against the worst defense in the AFC: the Kansas City Chiefs.

There is no questioning Flacco’s ability and talent; the guy is solid. He is also afforded a very competent rushing attack, making for a pretty balanced offense, but he should get a heftier challenge in San Diego this week, so expect the numbers to drop a bit.

Philip Rivers threw for 252 yards and a single TD against an Oakland defense that was supposed to be a lot worse than they were. Although Rivers is just as solid as Flacco, the defense is the difference maker here.

The Ravens are an incredibly aggressive team that usually plays sound technical defense, so they shouldn’t have too much trouble with the San Diego passing game.

I like Flacco over Rivers in overall Fantasy worth.

Edge: Ravens

The Running Backs

I will say it now: Darren Sproles is going to get a wakeup call on Sunday, and he is going to regret answering it. The Ravens feast on flashy smaller backs, so don’t expect anything from Sproles, no matter how good he is otherwise.

L.T. is out, for those of you who don’t know, and even if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be much to look at here. L.T. is hampered by that nagging ankle and historically doesn’t do well against the Ravens’ vaunted defense anyhow, so you need to bench him until further notice.

The Raiders showed the world that the Chargers have flaws in their rushing defense, which will bode very well for the new kid on the block, Ray Rice. Rice is a bruising, punishing back that will have a great deal of success on Sunday, and the Ravens also have—to their afford—Willis McGahee.

I like Rice’s value very much, while McGahee will probably be used in situational downs. If you have Rice, start him; as for any other back in this game, it’s not worth it.

Edge: Ravens

The Receivers and Tight Ends

For as much as I like Flacco, I envision him using Todd Heap and the running backs more than his receiving options this week, making the Ravens’ receivers a bit undervalued.

If the Chargers can shut down the outside receiving threat of the Ravens, then Heap should have no problem seeing more than last week’s five-catch performance; I would bank on this scenario.

The Chargers are going to pass the ball—so someone might wanna forward this article to Baltimore (wink-wink)—and they are going to do it a lot. Vince Jackson and Antonio Gates are huge targets with a ton of reliability.

I see the same scenario here for San Diego: A lot of throws out of the backfield and to the TEs, so Gates is bound to have a good day regardless.

Edge: Chargers

Intangibles

-          The Ravens are 10-2 when Flacco throws a TD pass.

-          The Chargers are 20-4 at home since 2006

Edge: Even

All in all, there are some good matchups in this game, but there are also plenty of guys who you just need to sit if you can afford it. Don’t take any chances and get cute with this game; do what you know is right and stay logical.

In regard to games on the Tele this week, this is a game to watch if it is available to you. The Ravens and Chargers always provide a great contest, and the Ravens, especially, are a team rising to the top faster than you can say Edgar Allen Poe.

For free start-sit advice, visit our "Start-Sit" feed at Top Fantasy Football. Yes, you read correctly, it’s FREE...so what are you waiting for?

As always, gang: Good luck this week!