Chargers vs. Ravens: What's the Game Plan for San Diego?

Desperate teams seeking to end three-game losing streaks meet in Week 8, as the San Diego Chargers visit the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

San Diego (2-5) suffered a 37-29 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 7. The Chargers fell behind early and trailed by as many as 31 points to Oakland before saving face with 23 points in the fourth quarter.

The Arizona Cardinals beat Baltimore (1-6) 26-18 on Monday Night Football. A late interception by Arizona prevented the Ravens from getting the go-ahead touchdown with time winding down.

San Diego's full game preview is available here. But for more on the X's and O's, let's take a look at this week's game plan.

Offensive Game Plan

Baltimore is without star pass-rusher Terrell Suggs, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in the opener and is out for the season. But even so, the Ravens have the fifth-most sacks on the season with 20, so the Chargers will have to account for protecting Philip Rivers, who's been their main source of offense all year.

But while the Ravens boast a formidable pass rush, their secondary has been the weak link in allowing the fifth-most passing yards at 283 per game. So if Rivers can get enough time to throw, he should have a fairly good day against Baltimore.

Category	Rank
Total Yards	29th
Yards Allowed Per Game	28th
Yards Per Pass Attempt	30th
Touchdowns Allowed	T-24th

But just how good depends on whether he'll have tight end Antonio Gates or not. Gates has been listed as questionable with a knee injury, per Chargers.com, and hasn't practiced the last two weeks. Second-stringer Ladarius Green, who caught a touchdown pass in Sunday's loss to Oakland, would start for Gates if he's not able to go against the Ravens.

But even if Gates doesn't play, the Chargers have enough weapons on the outside to throw at Baltimore. Keenan Allen has been playing at an elite level with 62 receptions though the first seven games, and Stevie Johnson will be playing in his second game back from a hamstring injury. Green is also worth mentioning, as he's essentially a receiver in a tight end's body. He leads the team in touchdown receptions with four.

The backfield has also contributed in the passing game, as Danny Woodhead ranks second on the team in receptions with 37. He and Branden Oliver have acted as pass-catchers more so than runners over the last two games, and they should continue to serve in that role against Baltimore.

Rookie Melvin Gordon, who has played sparingly over the last two games with an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice this week, so there should be no reason to hold him out until the second half like the team did a week ago against Oakland. Considering where he was drafted and what the Chargers gave up to get him (the No. 17 overall pick, a fourth-round pick and a 2016 fifth-rounder), Gordon needs to be out there proving himself. 

However, the Ravens won't make it easy for Gordon and the others to pick up yards on the ground. Baltimore is limiting opponents to 3.9 yards a carry and 102.4 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Chargers rank 29th in rush yards at 87.1 per game.

Defensive Game Plan

Like San Diego, the Ravens depend on their quarterback for offense, as they have the sixth-most pass attempts through seven games with 288. And whatever your stance is on Joe Flacco being an elite passer, he's still one of the better starters playing today. This season, however, has not been his best with turnovers. Flacco has thrown eight interceptions and fumbled twice.

He's been especially bad against the blitz. According to ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley, Flacco has been the worst quarterback against the blitz through seven weeks of the season, with the following stats to help prove it (all against the blitz):

"

• His 53.5 passer rating is the worst in the NFL
• His five interceptions are tied for the worst with Kirk Cousins
• His 49.4 completion rate ranks No. 29
• His 5.6 average yards per attempt ranks No. 30

"

That being said, expect defensive coordinator John Pagano to bring it with the blitzes on Sunday and try to force Flacco into some bad decisions. But it's not just Flacco the Chargers have to worry about.

Baltimore's running game, led by 2014 Pro Bowler Justin Forsett, ranks 18th in rushing yards at 103.1 per game. Forsett has rushed for 493 yards and crossed the century mark twice this season. And against the Chargers last season, Forsett had 106 yards on 24 rushes.

San Diego, meanwhile, has struggled immensely against the run and ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed at 132.1 per game. It doesn't help either that depth at inside linebacker is growing thin with Manti Te'o (ankle) ruled out and Denzel Perryman (biceps) doubtful for Sunday. Kavell Conner will substitute at inside linebacker with help from newly signed free agent Joe Mays and possibly undrafted rookie Nick Dzubnar.

Opponent	Carries	Yards	Avg.	Touchdowns
Oakland Raiders	26	130	5.0	1
Green Bay Packers	17	133	7.8	1
Pittsburgh Steelers	27	155	5.7	1

Defensive captain Eric Weddle is also out with a groin injury that caused him to miss last week. His absence in the secondary is just as important in stopping the run because he comes up so often to make tackles. Jimmy Wilson, who had a rough game against Oakland, will start at free safety and hope for a better performance.

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

Jason Verrett vs. Steve Smith

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Young meets old in this matchup in the secondary, as Verrett tries his hand against Baltimore's accomplished veteran. Smith leads the Ravens with 41 receptions, 588 yards and three touchdowns. He's one of the most physical receivers in football and probably one of the best trash-talkers too. Smith will be coming for revenge after being held to one catch for two yards against the Chargers in 2014.

Jeremiah Attaochu vs. James Hurst

With Eugene Monroe listed as doubtful for Sunday with a shoulder injury, per the team website, Hurst figures to be the Ravens' starter at left tackle. In three starts this season, Hurst allowed 11 hurries and has been Baltimore's lowest-rated offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus. He should see a lot of Attaochu off the edge, who leads the team in sacks with four.

Jacoby Jones

The ex-Ravens kick returner meets his former team for the first time. Jones has been a disappointment in the return game, totaling negative-four punt return yards and 193 kick return yards. And as a result, the Chargers have started drives inside their own 20-yard line 38.46 percent of the time, according to Sporting Charts. Perhaps competing against his old club might entice Jones to run one back for a score.

Keenan Allen

Harry How/Getty Images

Allen posted big numbers against the Ravens last season, including two touchdowns. And with Baltimore's secondary struggling, he should manage another good day's work. This time, though, the Ravens will present a little tougher matchup for Allen with top corner Jimmy Smith defending him. Smith was on injured reserve with a foot injury the last time Baltimore hosted the Chargers in 2014.

Prediction

The Chargers are three-point underdogs against the Ravens, according to Odds Shark. But this feels like a winnable game for San Diego on the road. And because Baltimore has frequently struggled to close out opponents, that should allow the Chargers to sneak in and steal a victory. 

Predicted Score: Chargers 27, Ravens 24