Every game like a playoff game for Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are treating their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers like a playoff game.
The current playoff picture certainly justifies that mentality.
Baltimore (8-6) owns the AFC’s No. 6 playoff seed, holding tiebreakers over the Colts and Titans. Baltimore has two games remaining — a road matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers and then the season finale against the Browns at home.
The Ravens could also take over first place in the AFC with a win over Los Angeles and a loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New Orleans Saints. The Chargers (11-3) also have a lot at stake because they are still in the mix to lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
“You think you need to win every game,” said cornerback Marlon Humphrey. “So, this is really no different. We’ve been feeling that since we’ve got back off the bye week – that every game is going to be a playoff-type game. It’s definitely big going into this one – Saturday night, prime-time game. It’ll definitely be huge to get this victory.”
The game will also be a homecoming for Ravens safety Eric Weddle, who spent nine seasons with the Chargers. Weddle has found success in Baltimore and was recently named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time, including three times as a Raven.
He is not looking for revenge against his former team. Weddle just wants to get Baltimore back into the postseason after a three-year drought.
“Everything is right there for us to go get, and what better way than to go across the country and play one of the best teams, if not the best, playing right now in the league to earn our way into the playoffs?” Weddle said. “That’s what I’m excited about. The past is in the past. I have no discomfort, hatred, whatever. That was almost four years ago, really, in my timeline, and they’ve moved. They’re basically a different team to me, and I wish them well. I’m excited to lead my team and try to get a win.”
The Ravens will look to keep the Chargers’ dynamic offense off the field behind rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson. He has gone 4-1 since taking over as the starter for Joe Flacco, who suffered a right hip injury on Nov. 4.
Jackson leads the team with 566 yards rushing on 114 carries with three touchdowns. The Ravens revamped offense has relied heavily on the run and dominated time of possession.
“We just try to score points, and if it just happens, so be it,” Jackson said. “We have the ball a lot. I don’t know. I don’t really look at the time management or the possession we have. I’m just trying to punch the ball in the end zone and go from there.
“I don’t know. I don’t really think about that. But the defense goes back out there, when they do get a chance to go back out there on the field, they produce. So, I think it’s pretty good for us.”
SERIES HISTORY: 12th regular-season meeting. Ravens lead series, 6-5. Baltimore is also 3-2 against the Chargers with head coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens won the last meeting 29-26 at M&T Bank Stadium in 2015.
