STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NFL Team Report - Los Angeles Chargers</h2><br>PLAYER NOTES<p></p> --RB Melvin Gordon (knee) practiced and all signs are he will start on Saturday.<p></p> --WR Keenan Allen (hip) was limited after not practicing the day before.<p></p> --RB Austin Ekeler (neck) didn't practice Wednesday.<p></p> --TE Sean Culkin (back) didn't practice Wednesday.<p></p> --RB Melvin Gordon (knee) was a full participant Wednesday.<p></p> --DT Brandon Mebane (not injury related) went through the entire practice Wednesday.<p></p> PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Melvin Gordon. Gordon is back after missing a trio of games with a knee injury and his contributions will be significant as the Chargers try to best the NFL's top defense. Gordon adds the balance that could help keep the Ravens' rugged pass rush at bay. But Gordon is also such a fine receiver that he adds in the passing game as well. Gordon, if his knee is right and it looks like it in practice, could be poised for big game.<p></p> GAME PLAN: Great battle in this one with the Chargers No. 6-ranked offense going against the Ravens' lights-out, No. 1 defense. The Chargers offense will have Melvin Gordon back and that's big. L.A. could lean on its running game more this week with Gordon being fit and from what rookie Justin Jackson showed them while filling in for Gordon. If the Chargers can run the ball, it keeps Philip Rivers out of harm's way. But it won't be easy with the Ravens having the No. 3 rushing defense, allowing 87.6 yards per game.<p></p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH<p></p> --Chargers pass rush, with DEs Joey Bosa and Melvin Gordon, vs. Ravens passing game behind shifty QB Lamar Jackson. Bosa is rounding into form after missing the first nine games with a foot injury. Ingram is showing a spark, too, and the Chargers will need both their edge rushers to try and bottle up Jackson. While Bosa and Ingram love to get up field as fast as possible, they must do so with an eye of not running by the quick Jackson. Maintaining the edges to keep Jackson pinned in is going to be nearly as important as getting to him. Seeing a scrambling Jackson, who has three rushing touchdowns and is averaging five yards per carry, is something the Chargers are trying to avoid.<p></p> --Chargers pass protection vs. the Ravens stout pass rush. The Chargers have done a pretty good job protecting Philip Rivers, but he did take some shots against the Chiefs. L.A. has to clean up some of its protections and right tackle Sam Tevi has to lift his game. The Ravens have three players with seven sacks, Matthew Judon, Za'Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs. And it's a safe bet the Ravens will be blitzing safety Eric Weddle on occasion as he looks for a big game against his former club. The Ravens not only have the NFL's top defense, but they are No. 3 against the pass. A big reason for that is the heat its trio of pass-rushers applies to quarterbacks.
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