Chargers - Ravens Pregame Report

Third Quarter

The Ravens received the ball to start the second half. As a result, quarterback Joe Flacco led his offense down the field for a 43-yard field goal by Justin Tucker to cut the deficit to 10-3. Wide receiver Torrey Smith highlighted the drive with a 54-yard reception on third down.

The Chargers were unable get those three points back, as they were forced to punt after a three-and-out.

On their next possession, the Ravens returned the favor, going three-and-out and punting to give San Diego the ball on its own 33-yard line. Again, the offense was unable to get anything going, resulting in another Mike Scifres punt.

Baltimore took the ball over in its own territory and drove deep into Chargers territory. On a third-and-one, Flacco was stopped for no gain, bring up a fourth-and-one on the Chargers 14-yard line. On fourth down, defensive end Corey Liuget was able to shoot through the Baltimore offensive line and stop running back Bernard Pierce for a two-yard loss. The Chargers would take over on downs.

Second Quarter

The Chargers defense started the second quarter off the way the first finished, forcing a three-and-out on the Ravens opening possession.

Danario Alexander caught a 26-yard pass from Philip Rivers on first down to move the ball to midfield. Two plays later, Malcom Floyd had a 16-yard reception and then Jackie Battle picked up a fourth and inches. Two plays later, Rivers fired a laser to Floyd for a 21-yard touchdown strike and the Chargers were up 7-0.

The Ravens took over at their own 16, but couldn’t manage a first down as the Chargers defense bottled up Ray Rice on a 3^rd-and-1. The Chargers took over deep in their own territory, but strung together a nice drive to march the ball down the field to set up a Nick Novak 47-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead.

Antwan Barnes sacked Joe Flacco on first down to set up yet another three-and-out, and the Chargers got the ball back. However, they were unable to sustain anything and punted the ball back to the Ravens. The defense held and the team headed into halftime with the 10 points advantage.

First Quarter

The first quarter began and ended as a defensive battle for both teams.

On the first play from scrimmage, wide receiver Danario Alexander was flagged for a false start, backing up the Chargers to their own 15-yard line. Eventually, San Diego converted a first down on third-and-one thanks to a defensive offside, but the drive stalled and the Chargers were forced to punt.

The Ravens took over on their own 12-yard line and gained two first downs, but were unable to convert on a third down and 10 on its own 40-yard line.

San Diego took over again at its own 21-yard line, but was unable to get the offense going, resulting in another punt.

Just like its first series, Baltimore’s offense began to move the ball, this time into Chargers territory. Yet, on a third-and-10 on San Diego’s 34-yard line, defensive end Corey Liuget sacked quarterback Joe Flacco for a nine-yard loss to take the Ravens out of field goal range.

PREGAME

The San Diego Chargers (4-6) return to action this afternoon against the AFC North leading

Baltimore Ravens (8-2). The match is the first of a two-game homestand and is also the first of three straight games against the AFC North.

The high-flying Ravens are led by quarterback Joe Flacco, who has thrown for 2,495 yards and 13 touchdowns to just seven picks. His top targets are homerun threat Torrey Smith (32 catches for 555 yards and seven touchdowns) and the reliable Anquan Boldin (48 catches for 627 yards and one touchdown). On the ground, the Ravens boast one of the premier running backs in the game in Ray Rice, who has run for 697 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Chargers will have Aubrayo Franklin back anchoring their run defense after missing the previous game with a deep bone bruise. Left guard Tyronne Green, however, will miss the game with a hamstring injury. Rex Hadnot will get the starting nod in his place.

Inactive for the Bolts today are Green, Eddie Royal, Larry English, Dante Rosario, Brandon Taylor, Jonas Mouton and Curtis Brinkley. Former Raven Chris Carr is expected to take over kick return duties with Brinkley out.