Ravens-Chargers Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Coutndown Daily Recap: Ravens-Chargers

SCOUTING REPORT

Ravens-Chargers: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Ravens-Chargers matchup. 1. Baltimore needs to run the ball effectively: Second-year quarterback Joe Flacco enjoyed a career day in Week 1 as he threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, but the Ravens need to run the ball effectively on early downs if they're going to thrive in the long haul. They can't afford to become one-dimensional.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
BAL	5-5	237	171	3-2	2-3	2-2	5-4
SDG	7-3	269	205	3-2	4-1	4-1	5-3
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Baltimore Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Flacco 65.4 2455 12 8 Smith 50.0 4 0 0

San Diego Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Rivers 63.2 2621 17 6

Baltimore Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Rice 148 733 5.0 6 McGahe... 66 261 4.0 5

San Diego Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Tomlin... 135 458 3.4 6 Sprole... 60 210 3.5 1

Baltimore Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Mason 45 672 14.9 4 Rice 56 515 9.2 1

San Diego Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 47 788 16.8 7 Gates 52 709 13.6 2

Full Player Stats: Baltimore | San Diego

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	BAL	349.0
	SDG	336.0
Yards Passing	BAL	233.9
	SDG	248.3
Yards Rushing	BAL	115.5
	SDG	87.9
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	BAL	310.0
	SDG	321.1
Pass Yds Allowed	BAL	217.9
	SDG	202.6
Rush Yds Allowed	BAL	92.1
	SDG	118.5

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Baltimore leads 3-1
Nov 25, 2007	BAL 14, SDG 32
Oct 1, 2006	BAL 16, @SDG 13
Sep 21, 2003	BAL 24, SDG 10

The San Diego Chargers came into the season expecting their offense to be its typical high-powered self, but injuries have already created some problems on that side of the ball.

The normally defensive-minded Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, couldn't be happier with the state of their offense.

Both teams will be trying to move to 2-0 when they meet Sunday in San Diego, where the Chargers will make their 2009 home debut with the status of former league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and the team's offensive line in doubt.

The Chargers have scored more points than any NFL team other than New England since the start of 2005, but they had problems for much of their opener at Oakland on Monday night.

A late surge gave them a 24-20 victory, only after they were outgained by the Raiders and managed 77 rushing yards on 23 carries, a problem that could grow worse after Tomlinson suffered a sprained ankle.

Backup Darren Sproles scored the winning touchdown with 18 seconds left, but averaged 2.6 yards on his nine carries and may need to carry a larger load. It won't help that the Chargers have a weakened line after center Nick Hardwick (sprained ankle) and rookie guard Louis Vasquez (sprained knee) suffered injuries against Oakland.

"Hardwick, what he means to this team, and for Vasquez to go out in his first game, it's tough," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "You're never going to have an injury-free season, but you hope you don't get too banged up in Week 1."

The Chargers signed veteran lineman Dennis Norman to add depth in case Hardwick and Vasquez remain out, but Rivers still will need to step up against a Baltimore team with a notoriously tough defense. The Ravens allowed fewer yards last season than every team but Pittsburgh and forced a league-high 34 turnovers.

With their uncertain running back situation, the Chargers seem unlikely to end the Ravens' 36-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher -- easily the NFL's longest active run.

"We've got to get Darren some help," San Diego coach Norv Turner said of Sproles, who is also a key component on special teams, having racked up 180 return yards last week. "He wants to stay in there. I told him after the game, 'We can't do that to you.' He said, 'Hey coach, I was fine."

The Chargers will also be concerned with Baltimore's offense after the Ravens' 38-24 opening win over Kansas City last Sunday. Second-year quarterback Joe Flacco was 26 for 43 for 307 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, notching career highs in attempts, yards and TDs.

The Ravens also rolled up 198 yards on the ground behind the three-pronged attack of Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain, en route to a franchise-record 501 total yards.

"We want to put our offense on the map," tight end Todd Heap said. "Coming into this year we set a lot of goals offensively, and we're doing everything we can to reach those goals. I think there were quite a few of them we were able to attain; now it's a matter of going out and doing it week in and week out."

Baltimore's defense didn't come up with any takeaways, but it wasn't exactly shoddy against the Chiefs, holding Kansas City to 188 total yards -- the third-lowest total of any team in Week 1.

"The defense appreciated the offense moving the ball and scoring points and keeping them off the field," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, "and the offense appreciated all the three-and-outs. You get 90 plays on offense and you go 47 plays on defense, that's what you're looking for."

Baltimore set an impressive opening tone as it tries to get back to the AFC Championship, where the Ravens lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Steelers in January.

San Diego fell to Pittsburgh in the divisional round, and Sunday's game could provide an early AFC postseason preview. These clubs have combined for five playoff appearances in the last three years.

They've met twice in the regular season during that stretch, with Baltimore winning 16-13 at home Oct. 1, 2006, then losing 32-14 at San Diego on Nov. 25, 2007.

The location of the game figures to favor the Chargers, who are 20-4 at home since 2006 -- the league's second-best home record in that stretch. The Ravens, meanwhile, have dropped seven of their last eight road openers.

Playing after a short week following a Monday night game hasn't derailed San Diego lately. The Chargers have won four straight games by an average of 17.3 points in those circumstances, although three of those wins came against Oakland.

Chargers put Clary (ankle) on IR, sign Runyan

The Chargers have placed right tackle Jeromey Clary on injured reserve and signed free agent Jon Runyan.

2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

Week 12 of the latest ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings reveals a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 4 teams.

Rookie Watch: Week 11

Scouts Inc. ranks the top 10 rookies after Week 11 of the 2009 NFL season.

Joyner: Week 12 pickups

You never know when an injury or a slump will doom you, so you'd better have depth.

Ravens' Figurs out until training camp after surgery

The Ravens' Yamon Figurs will be sidelined for the rest of the offseason minicamps because he recently had surgery on his foot.

Troy Smith gets work as receiver

With several wide receivers excused from voluntary minicamp, backup quarterback Troy Smith made a temporary position change to wide-out, running routes and making some impressive catches Tuesday.

McGahee Heads Sparse List of Vets at OTA

The Ravens have had a solid turnout of veterans at all of their voluntary Organized Team Activities this offseason, but running back Willis McGahee was the most notable of those players that opted to attend this week.

Smith Running Routes as Receiver

On one of the final drills of todaya s OTAs, the Ravens faced fourth-and-8 at midfield, and backup quarterback Troy Smith joined a four-receiver set.

Birk Bustling in Baltimore

Matt Birk , the Ravens' newly-acquired center, brings 11 years of NFL experience, six Pro Bowl invites and a reputable charitable foundation to the team.

AFC West: Stability keeps Chargers out of turmoil below

There is a major New England Patriots influence in this division. Denver fired long-time head coach Mike Shanahan and replaced him with 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, who spent eight years with the Patriots including the last three as offensive coordinator.

Chargers' Merriman working his way back

A tag cloud is a visual list of key terms associated with a piece of content. Larger and bolder tags are more relevant to the content.

Stadium developer unveils proposal, but Chargers balk

" Local developer Perry Dealy unveiled his proposal to replace Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley Thursday, a day after the San Diego Chargers called his plans unrealistic in a fax sent directly to him.

Majestic Realty terminates negotiations with Walnut over proposed NFL stadium

Majestic Realty has terminated negotiations with Walnut over a proposed NFL stadium, saying city officials requested a "wish list of tens of millions of dollars" that had little to do with the project.

Versatility remains Bingham's specialty

Ryon Bingham is a contender for Igor Olshansky's starting spot at defensive end.