Chargers linebacker Jarret Johnson remembers the last time the Bolts traveled to Baltimore to play the Ravens – way back in 2006.
Of course, he was on the other team at the time.
“It was a fun, fun game to be a part of,” said Johnson, who spent his first nine years Baltimore before coming to the Chargers in 2012. He had a pair of tackles and a sack in the 16-13 Ravens win back in Week 4 of the '06 season.
It’s hard to believe a team could have that long of a gap between trips to another team from the same conference, but the two franchises have only played each other four times since – all at Qualcomm Stadium.
The Bolts are just 4-5 against the Ravens since the franchise moved from Cleveland in 1996, having lost both trips to Baltimore in that time. Johnson said he has fond memories of playing in the city.
“It’s great. It’s a great game atmosphere,” he said. “They always do a really good job with production. … If you like NFL football, you’re gonna like playing there. It’s awesome.”
As they prepare for another battle on Sunday, the game hold huge significance for both teams – as well as the rest of the conference. The Chargers and Ravens hold identical 7-4 records, but the Bolts hold a tie-breaker with a better conference record. That will change, as Sunday’s winner will vault to the front of the pack of playoff hopefuls.
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw for 145 yards and a touchdown in the 2006 game, said he’s excited for the test.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “It’s a team we’ve always respected, a team we’ve had some games with in the past. But we haven’t been there in a long time. We’re looking forward to it.”
He said the levity of the game as it pertains to the playoff chase is not lost.
“It’s kind of what you want,” he said. “You want late November games between two teams with winning records that are in the hunt. It’s what makes the NFL great.”
