The Los Angeles Chargers are set to visit the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, November 17 (1:15am UK time) as they look to end their eight-game losing streak at M&T Bank Stadium.
1976 was the last time an NFL team started a season 0-8. That was done by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in their first-ever season as an NFL team.
Since then, no team has started a season 0-8 until a team with Super Bowl contender expectations decided they wanted to compete.
Unfortunately, the wrong way, writes Sports News Blitz’s Brandon Tomlinson.
The Los Angeles Chargers are coming into this game 32nd in points per game, 31st in turnovers (31st in total giveaways), 31st in sack rate and 28th in points allowed per game.
So one would assume that this Monday Night matchup would just be a night of further humiliation for the Chargers at first glance.
However, that may not be the case.
Ravens struggle to find answers
The Baltimore Ravens, who were another team coming into this season with high expectations, are just another AFC team to have a fall from grace.
With both their two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley sidelined through injury, the Baltimore Ravens could have continued putting their trust in undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano.
But after a difficult first start against Jacksonville, throwing two interceptions, they traded for experienced Jacoby Brissett to steady the ship.
On the defensive end, cornerback Nate Wiggins and two-time first-team All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton have both been dealing with injury concerns ahead of the game.
After being blown out 33-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens have now lost four consecutive games, conceding at least 30 points in each of their last three.
Their offensive struggles have been just as concerning.
Baltimore have failed to score more than 13 points in each of their last four games, marking the first time in franchise history that it has been held below 14 points in four consecutive games.
A difficult matchup for both sides
So in a game where seemingly neither team can score or defend, the game is up for grabs.
The only problem is that neither team seems to be capable of grabbing it.
Both Jacoby Brissett and Justin Herbert have statistics that suggest neither quarterback has been particularly convincing this season, meaning both teams must rely on other factors to get them over the line.
While the Baltimore Ravens do have Derrick Henry, a probable future Hall of Famer, the Los Angeles Chargers have...Omarion Hampton, I guess.
Hampton ranks 25th among running backs for rushing yards this season, with three touchdowns and just ONE run over 20 yards...Great.
And if you are thinking about any of their receivers, not a single one ranks among the top 50 in receiving yards so far this season.
All in all, however, this is shaping up to be a fun game, as long as you are not a Ravens fan, or a Chargers fan, or even a fan of ‘good’ football.
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