Baltimore Ravens: 5 Bold Predictions for Ravens' Week 14 Game at San Diego

The Baltimore Ravens travel to San Diego to face the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. The Chargers and the Ravens are both riding winning streaks, and both are among the hottest teams in the NFL.

The Ravens' dominant defense will square off against the Chargers' dynamic, if inconsistent, offense, and one of these two units will have to falter.

With the tallest receiving corps in the NFL, the Chargers will give the Ravens' secondary a unique challenge, while Ryan Matthews will force the Ravens' defense to respect the run.

Meanwhile, the Chargers 24th-ranked run defense could struggle against Ray Rice, who went over 100 yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career against the Colts.

Here are five bold predictions for the Ravens' game with the Chargers.

Ray Rice Will Go over 100 Yards for the Third Week in a Row

The Chargers defense has uncharacteristically struggled against the run this year, ranking 24th in the NFL. Ray Rice, meanwhile, is riding the hottest streak of his career, so he should be able to consistently move the chains against the Chargers defense.

The Chargers best defensive player, Shaun Phillips, is questionable with a foot injury going into the game. Even if he plays, he probably won't be at his best. The Ravens offensive line should be able to dominate San Diego's front seven en route to a dominant rushing performance from Rice.

Jimmy Smith Will Step Up to Help Stop the Chargers' Big Receivers

Jimmy Smith has two interceptions despite not playing early in the year due to injury. He has played an increased role in the defense, and with his size, his role should increase even more against the Chargers.

Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are both over 6'4", so Jimmy Smith and Cary Williams will be important in coverage. Smith especially has the physicality and size to cause problems for Floyd and Jackson.

If the Ravens hope to contain these two enormous targets, Smith will have to play a big role.

The Ravens Special Teams Will Produce a Touchdown

One week after returning a punt return to the house against the Browns, Lardarius Webb consistently looked on the brink of another big return against the Colts. Webb is proving to be a solid punt returner, and the Chargers special teams units have been spotty, allowing 14.0 yards per punt return to opponents.

Their kickoff unit is no better, allowing 25.5 yards per return. Webb or kickoff returner Tom Zbikowski should have plenty of opportunities to take it to the house.

If Webb doesn't play due to a toe injury, his replacement should still find success against the Chargers' porous special teams units.

Joe Flacco Will Have One of His Best Games of 2011

The Chargers have the eighth ranked pass defense in the NFL, but looking a little deeper into the numbers shows some vulnerabilities. They have allowed 7.5 yards per attempt and 22 passing touchdowns to opposing passers.

Flacco should be able to take advantage of this secondary, and with Ray Rice setting up play action passes, Flacco could have a big day.

The Ravens will have to pass efficiently to be able to score enough to keep up with the Chargers, and Flacco should be up to the task. This could be the breakout game he has so desperately needed after a rough year.

The Game Will Come Down to the Last Play

My favorite play of the John Harbaugh era in Baltimore was Ray Lewis's game-ending shot on Darren Sproles against the Chargers in 2009. This play perfectly illustrates the difference between the Chargers and the Ravens then and now.

While the Chargers have an elite offense and a ton of talent, the Ravens have leaders who step up when the game is on the line. Ray Lewis might not play, but Terrell Suggs has been on fire, and Ed Reed still lurks in the secondary waiting for his opportunity to take one back to the house.

The Chargers will threaten the Ravens, but one of the Ravens dynamic leaders will come through in a big way to win the game for the Ravens.

My Score Prediction: Ravens 30, Chargers 26