Ray Lewis decided to take a chance. It was a very big chance.

On fourth down and 2, the star linebacker for the Ravens shot the gap, meeting Darren Sproles of the Chargers head on during the closing seconds of the game. Brute strength beat out shiftiness and speed.

In a game that appeared it would be decided by the Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, it instead got sealed by the Ravens’ Lewis. On Sunday his big play preserved Baltimore’s 31-26 victory over San Diego.

Lewis, a former MVP of the Super Bowl, NFL Defensive Player of the Year two times and Pro Bowler 10 times said, probably that was one of my greatest plays in my career due to the fact that we did this as a team.

In order to get the win, San Diego need to score a touchdown. They had the football on the 15 yard line of Baltimore with 33 seconds remaining in the game. Lewis went through unblocked and was able to slam the Chargers’ running back for a loss of five yards. Baltimore (2-0) was then able to run the clock out.

Earlier in the game San Diego had run the play, but the first time Lewis missed on the tackle. Lewis knew what the consequences would be if the Chargers converted. He knew what he needed to do was shoot the gap, then locate the ball carrier.

Lewis said, with the game on the line, when Philip dropped down, that was when I shot in. Man, he was right there.

John Harbaugh, Ravens coach said, San Diego knows how to win games right at the last minute. I guess that Ray Lewis knows more. I guess he knows a bit better. That was the greatest play in football made that I have ever seen.

Almost single handedly Rivers was able to keep the Chargers (1-1), who were short handed, in the game. He passed for 436 yards, his career high, along with two touchdowns. However he also threw two interceptions, and four different times the Chargers ended up having to settle for a field goal when the ball was at the 10 yard line of Baltimore or closer.

According to Rivers, San Diego ran the play that they thought would give them the best opportunity for getting a first down.

Rivers said, you can’t just keep throwing the ball. Well, you can. We just didn’t execute the play. It’s tough ending the game like that.

Rivers tied Dan Fouts, Hall of Famer, for third most yards passing in a game.

The Ravens, only a week after accumulating 501 yards, their franchise record, in their victory over the Chiefs, weren’t able to fully put San Diego away. The Chargers were playing without LaDainian Tomlinson, running back, Nick Hardwick, center, and Louis Vasquez, right guard, due to injuries. On Saturday they placed Jamal Williams, defensive tackle, on the injured reserve list, which means he is out for the rest of the season.

Joe Flacco, Ravens quarterback, had two touchdown throws, while Willis McGahee had two rushing touchdowns.

What killed the Chargers was Rivers’ bad decisions and San Diego’s inability to score any touchdowns.

During the first half, San Diego got to Baltimore’s 1, 2 and 5 yard line. Each time they were forced to settle for Kaeding field goals.

The Chargers, trailing by the score of 21-13, on a Rivers pass of 24 yards over to Vincent Jackson got down to the one yard line. A replay upheld the play, but San Diego drew a delay of game penalty. Rivers threw two incomplete passes. Then Norv Turner on third down decided to kick the ball with 10 second remaining. That drew lots of boos from the crowd.

Kaeding made the field goal from 23 yards out to make the score 21-16. He had field goals of 22 and 29 yards as well.

Mid fourth quarter the same thing happened. Shawne Merriman hit Flacco and Antoine Cason picked off his pass. San Diego moved the ball down to the 10 yard line of the Ravens, then bogged down again. They also got another penalty for delay of game. Kaeding hit a field goal of 25 yards to make the score 28-26.

Rivers said, they applied a lot of pressure down there. You are trying to figure out how to block. On some of the plays they brought as many men as they could. It was more lack of execution I think than anything else. And the delay penalties really killed us.

With 2:54 remaining, Steve Hauschka, Ravens kicker, booted a field goal of 33 yards.

During the third quarter, while being pressured by Lewis on the 34 yard line of the Chargers, Rivers turned to the side and threw the ball blindly, attempting to throw it away. Dawan Landry, Ravens safety, intercepted the ball and then pitched it back to Ed Reed who returned the ball to the 22 yard line. Flacco, four plays later, threw a touchdown pass of 9 yards to Todd Heap, Ravens tight end, to give Baltimore the lead 28-16.

Rivers answered back, finding Jackson behind double coverage with a touchdown pass of 35 yards on third down and 18. With 2:26 remaining third quarter it pulled San Diego to within 28-22.

On the second possession for the Chargers in the game, the Ravens failed to cover Sproles. He was able to turn a Rivers swing pass into a touchdown of 81 yards to give the Chargers the lead at 7-0. Sproles was able to race down the sideline and then cut inside to beat Reed into the end zone. For the game the all purpose yards for Sproles was 278.

Flacco, a week after he had his career high in passing at 307 yards, went 17 for 26 for a total of 190 yards passing.