RAVENS RUN OFFENSE VS. CHARGERS RUN DEFENSE

Remember when there was so much concern about the Ravens' running game? That has certainly been silenced with the Ravens rushing for 436 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks, albeit it against struggling teams. Running back Ray Rice, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage, has rushed for100 yards or more in three of his past four games, including back-to-back 100-yard performances for the first time in his career. Rice also has 12 touchdowns, 10 of them coming on the ground. The two-game surge has dropped the Ravens from 26th in the league in rushing to 13th, averaging 117.2 yards per game. It also has provided them with a good road map to success in January as the Ravens are 5-0 when Rice rushes for 100 yards or more this season. Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes is San Diego's top tackler with 91 on the season, but the Chargers have been vulnerable against the run. They have allowed 128.9 yards per game on the ground, which puts them tied for 23rd in that category in the NFL. If Ravens center Matt Birk and guards Marshal Yanda and Ben Grubbs can control rookie Corey Liuget and Antonio Garay inside, Rice could be in for another big day. EDGE: RAVENS