The Chargers barely escaped defeat against the Raiders last week. The Ravens flirted with it at home against the Chiefs, but kicked in the afterburners when it got serious. Both teams need to play better to win today's classic at Qualcomm Stadium.

Here's our list of Ravens who might make the difference:

1) Linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs: He came out of the Chiefs game with a concussion and a second injury, alternately described as a rib, stomach and chest problem. (Who knows?) Assuming he's not limited, he can make Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers very uncomfortable. Suggs is likely to line up anywhere. Given that the Chargers are working with their second-team center and possibly their second-team right guard, look for him up the middle on occasion.

2) Linebacker Jarret Johnson: If Suggs is not full speed, look for Johnson to make some plays and to play in the center-guard gap every so often. Johnson has elevated his game this year -- witness his two sacks in the opener -- and the Ravens are counting on him to get to the quarterback.

3) Linebacker Jameel McClain: Notice the trend here? The Ravens want to pressure Rivers with their front four, and Suggs and Johnson are in that mix. But McClain, an undrafted, second-year man, has taken giant strides this summer. He added the middle linebacker job to his repertoire, but may be needed on the weakside if Tavares Gooden has trouble with his right knee. McClain is better blitzing than Gooden right now; that's a factor to consider.

4) Kick returner Chris Carr: The free-agent addition gained just 7 yards on two punt returns last week, and averaged 21.7 on three kickoff returns. The Ravens want more. They are counting on him to give them drive-starting field position they didn't have a year ago. It's time for Carr to cut loose.

5) Left tackle Jared Gaither: Another player who struggled in the opener. Gaither was a swinging gate much of the day against KC. He has to step up anytime he's got Shawne Merriman across from him, and even when he doesn't. The Chargers are looking for the weak link. Gaither doesn't want to be that.

6) Wide-out Mark Clayton: What hamstring injury? Clayton looked pretty good against the Chiefs. Derrick Mason will wear out the Chargers in the intermediate pass game, but Clayton has a chance to have a big day deep against their weak secondary.