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NFL Wild Card Weekend: X-factors for each game

By Dylan Broady

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) looks to throw the football to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) down field during the NFC Championship Game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2018 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 38-7. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) looks to throw the football to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) down field during the NFC Championship Game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2018 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 38-7. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 21: Defensive Back Anthony Levine #41 of the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 celebrate after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 21: Defensive Back Anthony Levine #41 of the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 celebrate after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens

This is a rematch from Dec. 22. The Ravens defense dominated Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers offense. The only bright spot offensively was Melvin Gordon. Even he only garnered 54 yards of total offense and a touchdown. We think this game will be much different. The Chargers have seen this defense once before. Which is why the Ravens defense is the x-factor in this upcoming contest.

The Ravens have to contain the Chargers high-flying offense once again. That’s not an easy task. The Chargers managed to average 372 yards per game during the regular season. The Ravens statistically are the better team overall. If they don’t find a way to win this game at home it will be a much bigger letdown for their fanbase. John Harbaugh came out swinging with rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens have all the confidence in the world but the Chargers boast a veteran quarterback who is hellbent on winning a ring of his own before he hangs up his cleats. Which puts even more pressure on the Ravens stout defense to perform. The Ravens are good but very young offensively. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if Jackson folds under the playoff pressure.

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