This is an immense value for a Chargers team that has been one of the best all season in the AFC. The 22-10 loss to the Ravens two weeks ago likely has some shook, hence the value, but a nice bounce-back on the road at the Broncos should have righted the ship. Los Angeles is far better playing away from home, and Baltimore has yet to face a team twice with new quarterback Lamar Jackson under center. I have no doubt that the Chargers are now better able to game plan against him and the defense. This has been Phillip Rivers's year, and it should continue to be..

Rookie QBs have struggled in playoff games recently. Since 2010 they've gone 2-7 in playoff games, and both of those wins came against fellow rookie QBs. Still, Lamar Jackson isn't going to be asked to throw the ball 30 times in this game, and the Chargers defense isn't built to withstand the rushing attack Baltimore brings. Plus, the Ravens have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and the Chargers are flying across the country to play this game at 10am PT.

You will rarely find a No. 5 seed so talented as to be a legit Super Bowl threat. While Baltimore rookie QB Lamar Jackson has kick-started his offense, he pales in comparison to Chargers veteran Philip Rivers, whose only lousy game this season occurred against . . . the Ravens. Won't happen again. The Chargers are unbeaten straight-up in eight games outside of SoCal, and Rivers has pulled off three road wins in the playoffs. The Ravens are on a 1-5 ATS skid at home, but L.A. can take this one straight-up.

The Chargers are the better team here, and after getting a good look at this new Ravens offense in Week 16, I think they can win. They played as badly as they could in the first meeting and were still within six with the ball in Ravens territory late before a fumble turned into a long TD the other way. Lamar Jackson is going to have to unleash with his arm at some point, and I don't think he's there as a passer if you make him try to complete more than 14 passes (his season high) in a game. On the other side, Philip Rivers is 5-1 ATS in playoffs and 39-20-3 in all games as a road underdog.

I don't like the way Philip Rivers played the last few weeks. The Ravens stopped him cold last time, too. Baltimore has the No. 1 defense, and Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon have made a good impact on their running game, complementing Lamar Jackson. Baltimore being at home, and this game being at 10 a.m. in the morning Chargers time, that's why I'm laying the points. This is a tough game, but I have faith that Philip Rivers will blow up and make a mistake in the fourth quarter.

Another rematch from the regular season in the first round of the playoffs as this time the Chargers travel out to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Facing this offense for a second time in about three weeks is a good thing. What's not a good thing is that the same rules will apply for the Chargers, can you stop the run and can you maximize your own offensive possessions when you do get the ball. And for a second time, I don't think they can.

Lamar Jackson has made seven starts, winning six of them, one of which was his best passing day in a 22-10 win two weeks ago at the Chargers. It also turned out to be Philip Rivers' worst game of the season when the Ravens No. 1-ranked defense picked him off twice and allowed only 181 passing yards. It's the only game this season where Rivers didn't throw a TD pass. Rivers has thrown two picks in each of his last three games. But he usually puts it together on the road, where the Chargers have been at their best, going 7-1 SU and ATS. I also expect the Chargers' defense to do some things to confuse Jackson. Chargers get the win.