Ravens vs. Chargers Sunday Night Football live updates: Odds, predictions, how to watch

The Week 12 “Sunday Night Football” matchup features two AFC squads heading into opposite directions.

The Baltimore Ravens (8-3) have assumed the role of No. 1 seed in the conference by winning five of their past six games. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has seven touchdowns and only one interception in those five victories, and he has helped the Ravens offense score at least 31 points in five games in a row.

The Los Angeles Chargers have dropped consecutive games, both by three points, to fall into the basement of the AFC West. Their defense has sputtered most of the season, ranking second to last in total D and dead last against the pass. Head coach Brandon Staley badly needs to get things on the right track as his hot seat gets warmer.

Both teams are without key contributors after injuries in Week 11. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is likely done for the year after suffering an ankle injury that requires surgery. Meanwhile, the Chargers put star edge rusher Joey Bosa on injured reserve after he suffered a foot injury.

USA TODAY Sports will bring you the latest updates, scores, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the Ravens-Chargers game. Follow along.

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What time is Ravens vs. Chargers?

The Ravens at Chargers will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will air on NBC and Peacock. The game is also available to stream for free on Fubo.

Ravens vs. Chargers: Predictions and picks

Here are the USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:

• Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens 
• Tyler Dragon: Ravens 
• Victoria Hernandez: Ravens 
• Jordan Mendoza: Ravens 
• Jarrett Bell: Ravens 
• Safid Deen: Ravens 
• Nate Davis: Ravens 
• Chris Bumbaca: Ravens 
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens 

Ravens vs. Chargers inactives: Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, Ronnie Stanley will play

A trio of key Ravens offensive players will be available for the “Sunday Night Football” game at SoFi Stadium. Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder) and Zay Flowers (hip) are active, as is starting offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee). Stanley missed the Ravens’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) remains out.

Ravens’ inactive players:

• LB Trenton Simpson
• LB Malik Harrison
• CB Marlon Humphrey
• C Sam Mustipher
• OG Sala Aumavae-Laulu
• QB Josh Johnson (third QB)

Chargers’ inactive players:

• S AJ Finley
• RB Isaiah Spiller
• RB Elijah Dotson
• OT Zack Bailey
• TE Nick Vannett
• WR Simi Fehoko
• DT Scott Matlock

Is Mark Andrews out for the season? 

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews likely will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle injury in Week 11’s 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, coach John Harbaugh said after the game.

An MRI revealed the Ravens star tight end suffered a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament injury, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

During the week, however, there was more positive news.

“It wasn’t as bad as initially feared right after the game,” Harbaugh said.

So is Andrews out for the season? Nothing is definitive yet, Harbaugh said.

“But it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been,” Harbaugh added. “It’s cleaner than they thought, based on the MRI.

The Ravens will know more as Andrews starts his rehab under the supervision of Dr. James Andrews in Charlotte, North Carolina. There is an outside chance he could return this season, but Harbaugh didn’t put a timetable on that. — Chris Bumbaca and Tyler Dragon

Keenan Allen having Pro Bowl season

Chargers WR Keenan Allen is tied with Davante Adams and Julio Jones for the third-most games with at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in NFL history (18). Allen leads Los Angeles in receptions (83), receiving yards (1,011) and touchdown catches (7). Entering Week 12, he’s ranked top five in the NFL in all three categories. — Tyler Dragon

Ravens offense sparked by star dual-threat QB

Lamar Jackson leads all quarterbacks this season with 535 rushing yards. Jackson’s 4,972 career rushing yards ranks fourth all-time among NFL quarterbacks. He only trails Michael Vick, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson on the NFL’s all-time list. — Tyler Dragon

Ravens vs. Chargers: Predictions, picks and odds 

The Ravens are favorites to defeat the Chargers, according to BetMGM NFL odds.

• Spread: Ravens (-3) 
• Moneyline: Ravens (-165); Chargers (+140) 
• Over/under: 48.5 

USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:

• Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens 29, Chargers 23 — Over its last five games, Baltimore has alternated between covering and not covering spreads, so that inconsistency needs to be weighed here. But the Chargers have lost and failed to cover their last two. Los Angeles’ offense has been disjointed and the Chargers’ issues have been mostly self-inflicted. 
• Tyler Dragon: Ravens 30, Chargers 23 — Brandon Staley is on the hot seat after another one-score loss. The Chargers have lost five games by three points or less this season. No other team has lost more than two such games. Baltimore is coming off a mini bye since they played last Thursday. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens could very well be the best team in the AFC. Expect the Ravens offense to exploit the Chargers terrible pass defense.
• Safid Deen: Ravens 24, Chargers 20 — The Chargers always play to their opponent. Until crunch time. I like Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to beat Justin Herbert and the Chargers in the fourth quarter even without star tight end Mark Andrews.
• Victoria Hernandez: Ravens 28, Chargers 23 — Having Joey Bosa out deflates the Chargers defense. That’s exactly what they don’t need against the high-powered Ravens offense. Lamar Jackson has so many tools at his disposal that Odell Beckham Jr. just had his first 100-yard game of the season. The Ravens get the road win and keep marking through the season.
• Jordan Mendoza: Ravens 34, Chargers 30 — Los Angeles needs this victory as the hot seat continues to scorch under Brandon Staley. Baltimore will be without Mark Andrews, but the Chargers continue to give out points, and it’ll be harder to stop Lamar Jackson without Joey Bosa. Another shootout happens in SoFi Stadium, with the visiting team coming out on top.

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