NFL picks and predictions, Chargers vs. Ravens 2014: Baltimore favored to win

One of the most important games this weekend features Baltimore and San Diego, two teams desperately fighting for an AFC playoff spot.

In Week 13, the playoff picture is starting to shape up, showing us which NFL games are massively important. One such contest is when the San Diego Chargers visit the Baltimore Ravens Sunday. Both teams are 7-4 and on two-game winning streaks, trying to furiously battle to make the postseason. The AFC, however, will likely only having room for one of them.

San Diego has the much harder schedule going forward and faces long odds to win the AFC West, making this game even more important for the Chargers. Philip Rivers and Co. still have home dates against the Patriots and Broncos on the schedule before traveling to take on the 49ers and Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Ravens still enjoy the Texans and Jaguars on their slate, while sitting just behind the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North.

One of the key matchups to watch will be Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs coming off the edges against San Diego's offensive line. The Chargers have had problems protecting Rivers at times, allowing 22 sacks. Baltimore has amassed 29 sacks, led by Dumervil's 12.5, which ranks second in the NFL. If the Ravens can harass Rivers, it could be a tough day for San Diego.

Over at ESPN, every one of the 13 experts believe the Ravens will walk away with the key victory and hold a tiebreaker against the Chargers. Of the seven analysts at USA Today, only Lindsay H. Jones is picking the Chargers to go into M&T Bank Stadium and earn the win. Of the eight men at CBS Sports, only Jason La Canfora is rolling with San Diego in this late-November matchup.

Here at SB Nation, Joel Thorman has gone out on the proverbial limb and taken the Chargers. The other experts all went with Baltimore to improve to 8-4, perhaps taking over the top spot in the AFC North.

	Ryan Van Bibber	Stephen White	Joel Thorman	David Fucillo	Danny Kelly	PFT Commenter	Matt Ufford	OddsShark Computer
SD vs BAL	BAL	BAL	SD	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL

from SBNation.com - All Posts http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/11/29/7302405/ravens-chargers-2014-picks-predictions-nfl-week-13