The Los Angeles Chargers’ offence was its own worst enemy on Saturday, costly penalties and errors gifting the Baltimore Ravens a 22-10 victory.

The Chargers were held to 198 yards of offence, turning the ball over three times and the defeat all but cost them the AFC West barring a miracle.

In a crucial third down spot early on in the game, Keenan Allen had a 27-yard catch to the Ravens’ 24 wiped out because of offensive pass interference.

A 28-yard grab by Mike Williams on the next play was negated by an illegal shift and the Ravens pressed quarterback Philip Rivers into throwing the ball at the feet of running back Justin Jackson with a third chance to get off the field.

“I thought we could have a lot more success than we did, but I thought it could be this kind of back-and-forth December, January type game against a physical, tough opponent. And it was,” Rivers said. “And we had opportunities there, a handful there at 16-10 and we didn’t get it done.”

Rivers expected the Kansas City Chiefs to take care of business last night, thus forcing the Chargers to play on the road in the play-offs.

But regardless of where post-season football is played, Rivers knows that unless his side can get the offence back on track, it could be a one and done trip to the play-offs. 

“One more game is added to the slate to win the whole thing and it won’t be here,” Rivers said. “That’s all that we know. Today is disappointing, but we can’t wallow in that disappointment very long.”

The Ravens’ gameplan of controlling the clock by long, run-heavy drives masterminded by rookie Lamar Jackson was once again effective.

Their defence playing complimentary football made it a difficult evening for the Chargers, with Rivers being sacked three times.

“We just couldn’t sustain anything for the most part,” Rivers said. “Our only touchdown was on a short field, off a great play by our defence. Shoot, we just couldn’t get going, so that’s why I say credit to them.”

To compound matters, defeat means the Chargers could meet the Ravens in the wildcard, if Baltimore were to win the AFC North.

However, the loss hasn’t soured Rivers on a rematch in a few weeks.

“If we were going to have one like this, better now than later,” Rivers said. “It’s a good defence and they outplayed us today. Depending on what happens, we may get another crack at them in two weeks.”