Through the first three weeks of the season, the Ravens defense earned the No. 2 ranking in the NFL with a league-leading 16 sacks and seven interceptions. Still, Baltimore?s previous opponents sport a combined 0-8 record, and no team the Ravens (3-0) have faced can boast the firepower of their opponent Sunday, the San Diego Chargers (2-0).
“It?s a great matchup,” Ravens linebacker Bart Scott said, “and yeah, you can test yourself and it?s a measuring stick, but it?s a long season to go.”
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The Chargers are averaging 389 yards of offense a game. In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer, with sincerity, said there is room for growth.
“This football team that we have now, we?re still a work in progress, if you will ? particularly on the offensive side,” Schottenheimer said.
The Chargers will throw a bevy of stars at the Ravens defense, namely running back LaDainian Tomlinson, fullback Lorenzo Neal, tight end Antonio Gates and receiver Keenan McCardell.
“Tomlinson is probably the best offensive player in the league,” Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle said. “Gates is one of the best tight ends in the league. They?ve got probably the best fullback and good receivers. So our work is cut out for us this week.”
The Chargers are coming off a bye, but have looked dominant so far. Tomlinson has rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns, and he has caught 10 passes for 69 yards.
Third-year quarterback Philip Rivers has gained confidence quickly in his first full season under center. One of the top picks in the NFL draft two seasons ago, Rivers sat behind Drew Brees before finally getting his shot this fall. He has not disappointed, going 33 of 46 for 343 yards with two touchdowns.
Rivers has spread the ball around, finding nine different receivers on his team. The Ravens are hoping to pressure a San Diego offensive line that has not allowed a sack.
“He has done a great job managing the game,” Rolle said of Rivers. “He only threw 11 passes the first week, but last week he threw 35 and completed 26 of them or so. We know what we?ve got to do this week: Stop the backs, limit the big plays and, ultimately, we should be OK.”
Rivers will likely face more pressure than he has all season, but Schottenheimer said the young quarterback will have help.
“We are fortunate that we have a number of talented, skilled people ? LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Keenan McCardell, Eric Parker and some of the others,” Schottenheimer said. “They give us playmaking ability, but against the team we are playing, the Ravens, it is going to take more than talent to win the game.”
Chargers (2-0) at Ravens (3-0)
Where: M&T Bank Stadium
When: Sunday, Oct. 1
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. Radio: 97.9 FM/1090 AM
