Ravens Rush Attack vs. Chargers Rush Defense:

The Chargers defense is not quite the feared force it was growing into in 2006 and 2007. They are a decent at stopping the rush, but not superb, allowing just over 100 yards a game in 2008 and allowing well over 100 yards on the ground against the Raiders. The Chargers will struggle mightily with the Ravens multi-faceted rush attack, especially if the Ravens return to their run-oriented gameplan and control the clock. Even with limited touches, the Ravens showed they know how to use their running weapons, getting quality touches to Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and even Le’Ron McClain. We may not see any back top 100 yards on their own, but the Ravens expect to be pushing 200 yards as a team on a weekly basis. Edge: Ravens.

Ravens Pass Attack vs. Chargers Pass Defense:

The Chargers pass defense suffered last year after the loss of star linebacker (and former Maryland star) Shawne Merriman. Without Merriman for 15 games last season, the Chargers pass defense fell to 31st in the league in yards allowed and amassed only 28 sacks. But in 2007, with Merriman, the pass defense was in the league’s top half, and the Chargers were a top five team in pressuring the quarterback. Merriman appears healthy, but it’s unclear if he’s truly back on top of his game. The Ravens pass attack showed tremendous improvement in week one, but the Chiefs are about as bad as defenses come. The Ravens will have to work much harder this week to protect QB Joe Flacco, and Flacco himself will have to work harder to execute on his passes. The Chargers have 45 interceptions over the last two seasons, best in the NFL. Edge: Even.

Chargers Rush Attack vs. Ravens Rush Defense:

There aren’t many defenses that can even hold a candle to the Ravens when it comes to stopping the rush. But a tandem of good backs can change everything. Last year, it was the Giants’ with Brandon Jacobs and Danny Ware, and in the playoffs, the Titans with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. The Chargers offer up LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. A fast-and-faster version of the infamous thunder-and-lightning attack. Luckily for the Ravens, Tomlinson is hampered by an ankle injury that may keep him out of the game entirely. But Sproles proved last season that he is more than capable of handling the Chargers rush attack solo. It’s a new season, though, and Sproles will have to prove himself all over again – he rushed for just 23 yards against the Raiders. Edge: Ravens.

Chargers Pass Attack vs. Ravens Pass Defense:

The Ravens pass defense has been the unit’s true struggle for several seasons. Even with Pro Bowler and superstar Ed Reed picking off passes at his leisure, the Ravens secondary and pass rush have failed to make their mark when the game’s been on the line. A handful of speedy new corners is supposed to help, but even against the Chiefs last week, the team allowed some bigger plays than they would have liked. The Ravens pass rush still hasn’t developed as fully as fans would like either, often leaving too much time for good quarterbacks to find open receivers. And the Chargers Philip Rivers is certainly one of the better quarterbacks the Ravens will face this year. If the Ravens give him too much time, he will find an open man. And Rivers will be helped by one of the league’s biggest and most physical receiving corps, led by freak of nature tight end Antonio Gates. Once again, the good news is falling to the Ravens, though, as the Chargers will likely be without two starters on the offensive line. Edge: Even.

Special Teams:

Nate Kaeding is one of the league’s best kickers and can boot the ball as far as anyone. Darren Sproles is one of the league’s most dangerous return men. Mike Scifres regularly punts the ball over 60 yards – sometimes even 70. Meet the Chargers special teams. The Ravens? Well, there’s second year kicker Steven Hauschka, who is still earning his coach’s trust. Return man Chris Carr, who had some good times in Tennessee, but hasn’t yet in Baltimore. And the star of the group, Sam Koch, who may be the league’s most underrated punter. Edge: Chargers

Miscellaneous:

The Chargers are at home, where they’ve lost just 5 games since Rivers took over at QB. Joe Flacco, though, loved the road last season, throwing 10 touchdowns and earning a QB rating over 90. The Chargers are also notoriously slow starters, especially in their last two seasons led by Norv Turner. And as previously mentioned, the Chargers are in a bit more injury trouble than the Ravens. But homefield is homefield, and flying east-to-west has never been the Ravens strong suit. Edge: Chargers

Prediction:

It likely won’t be pretty, but as the Ravens move back to running ball more, they’ll be able to control the clock. Flacco and the passing game will still play an important role, especially in keeping the Chargers off balance. The Chargers will likely have their drives and score some points, but in classic Ravens style, they’ll bend but never break. The key will be turnovers, and a late turnover will likely decide a very close game.  Ravens 27, Chargers 23.