Tight clash anticipated when LA Chargers host Baltimore Ravens

Sky Sports Action, 1.20am Saturday night

The Chargers have booked their place in the playoffs but they lived up to their nickname in grabbing a dramatic victory over Kansas City last week and now their complete attention will be on pipping the Chiefs to the coveted AFC number-one seeding.

The decision to go for a two-point conversion at the end of such a massive game was a huge statement of intent and it seems unrealistic to expect them to slack off against Baltimore.

If anything they should be stronger than in their last victory as they are set to welcome back top rusher Melvin Gordon after he missed their last three games with a knee injury.

The availability of receiver Keenan Allen should also be a massive boost.

The Ravens will also be fired up though. They seem to be on the verge of a new era in Baltimore with former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson now installed as starting quarterback.

His running skills have provided the Ravens with an extra dimension and although they are sixth in the AFC seedings, they are half a win behind North division rivals Pittsburgh so they have plenty to play for.

Baltimore are the second-best rushing team in the league and their tactics are likely to concentrate on rugged defence against a talented Chargers attack, while running the ball when the opportunity arises.

That points to a low-scoring game and it could be that the total-points line is a shade too high at 44.5.

Recommendation
Under 44.5 points
1pt 10-11 general

The lowdown

Venue StubHub Centre, Carson, California
Surface Grass
Weather Cloudy, 17C
Vegas handicap Baltimore +4.5
Vegas points line 43.5

Team news
Baltimore
Guard Alex Lewis (shoulder), cornerback Anthony Levine (ankle) and linebacker Matthew Judon (knee) are all questionable.
LA Chargers
Tight ends Hunter Henry and Sean Culkin are both out but wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Melvin Gordon should both be available.

Key stat
The Chargers have covered the handicap in just two of their seven home matches this season

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