Chargers to Bring "Big Boy Pads"

In a one-second gesture, Takeo Spikes summed up a 60-minute challenge. The Chargers inside linebacker raised his right hand Friday, clenched it into a tight fist, and suddenly slammed and slammed his knuckles into an open left palm. “AFC North,” Spikes said. “Always gonna pound the ball.” No mystery. No confusion. The Chargers expect a 12-round prime-time fight Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens, taking center-ring against arguably the NFL's most potent rushing attack. Over the past two weeks, the Ravens have averaged an NFL-high 218 yards with their ground game, whose personnel starts with a physical offensive line and 260-pound Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach. Behind them is Ray Rice, about as complete a running back as it gets. Rice dazzled two weeks ago, carving the Cleveland Browns for a career-high 204 yards. He followed with 104 yards against the Indianapolis Colts, the first back-to-back century games of his career. The 10-win Ravens have see...