Chargers-Ravens -- not for the meek
Five years ago, the Chargers dared Ray Lewis to beat them.
The Ravens linebacker obliged, as a future Hall of Famer should.
Two Novembers ago, Ray Rice caught a short pass in front of seven Chargers defenders.
It was fourth-and-29. What could go wrong?
The Chargers-Ravens series entails more than the playmaking Rays, though.
“We’ve gotten them quite a few times, too,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was saying Wednesday.
There was Rivers throwing for three scores in 2007 in San Diego’s 32-14 victory. There was another aerial show in 2011, witnessed by a national audience on a Sunday night, Rivers and his pass-catchers led by Malcom Floyd, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates gaining 16 yards per completion in the Bolts’ 20-point victory.
“It’s been a good back and forth,” Rivers said.
The Chargers (7-4) and Ravens (7-4) will meet for the 10th time Sunday in Baltimore, kicking off at 10 a.m. Pacific. San Diego is 4-5 in the series, including a 2-3 mark when Rivers starts.
If there’s no guarantee of signature plays, such as Lewis shooting a gap and stopping Darrren Sproles short on fourth-and-2, the Week 13 contest figures to be hotly contested.
Hard hits
Listen to the resident expert on this Bolts-Birds rivalry, Chargers and ex-Ravens defender Jarret Johnson, recount the hits of 2007.
“We were struggling, and they were really good,” he said. “It was a battle.”
True to his linebacker nature, Johnson continued.
“I ended up with a concussion, a broken thumb – it was awesome,” he said. “And that’s the type of game we’re expecting this week.”
Sealing Baltimore’s 16-13, homefield win in 2006 over Marty Schottenheimer’s final Chargers team, Johnson sacked Rivers. The quarterback, making his third career start, threw fewer passes (22) that day than LaDainian Tomlinson had rushes (26).
But the sack wasn’t Johnson’s most memorable hit on Rivers.
“He hit me here in a home game; that’s probably one of the hardest hits I’ve still ever taken,” Rivers said. “We’ve laughed about that a few times – laughed now.”
‘Thanks’
Rivers has hurt the Ravens with pinpoint passing. And he’s threaded the verbal needle, too.
Talking about the quarterback on Wednesday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told a story from one of their encounters several years ago.
The Chargers were attempting a fourth-down conversion, but both they and the Ravens were scrambling to get lined up.
“I called a timeout with about two seconds left in the play clock,” Harbaugh said, “and (Rivers) screamed over at me at the sideline – ‘thanks!’
“He proceeded to convert,” the coach said. “And he told me he needed the timeout; he appreciated the help. So I was like, ‘Wow, this guy is a competitor.’ I have tremendous respect for him.”
Mathews OK
Ryan Mathews was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. The running back missed part of Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, though he returned to finish the contest. Mathews has continued to wear a knee brace since returning three weeks ago from a sprained MCL. Judging by his career-best 8.8 yards per carry versus the Rams, it hasn’t hindered him.
Gachkar absent
Andrew Gachkar (knee) sat out the practice. Gachkar is a key member of the special teams, and his role at linebacker has expanded in recent weeks. Nose tackle Ryan Carrethers (elbow) and outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (rest) did not practice. Receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and safety Jahleel Addae (concussion) were full participants.
Ravens edge rusher Terrell Suggs (foot) didn’t practice. He is second on the team in sacks.
The Chargers added center Jeff Baca to the practice squad.
