Prime Time Prowess: Biggest Takeaways from the Ravens’ Victory Over the Chargers
The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers battled it out on Monday Night Football with a lot at stake, as both teams entered the highly anticipated matchup with seven wins each, the Ravens at 7-4 and the Chargers at 7-3. A win for either side would improve their playoff chances with six weeks left in the regular season. The Ravens were coming off a disappointing performance against their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, a week prior, where penalties and turnovers were major concerns, leading to the Ravens' top-ranked offense having its worst showing in Week 11. On the other side, the Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, entered tonight's Harbaugh Bowl on a four-game win streak, looking for a signature win against one of the AFC's top teams, the Ravens. In the end, Ravens' coach John Harbaugh improved to 3-0 against his younger brother, Jim, as the Ravens secured a primetime victory, improving to 8-4 ahead of their massive matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles next week. Here are three of the biggest takeaways from the Ravens' latest victory.
Derrick Henry and Justice Hill Shine Under the Lights
Coming into the game, the running back position was one of the most talked-about factors likely to determine who would come out on top. For the Chargers, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, both former Ravens, were looking to perform well against their former team, as both mentioned that there was extra motivation heading into the game. However, with Dobbins leaving the game in the first half due to a knee injury and Edwards being contained by the Ravens' run defense, it was the Ravens' star backs, led by Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, who had the last laugh and put on a show under the lights. After being limited last week against the Steelers with just 13 carries for 65 yards, offensive coordinator Todd Monken made sure to involve Henry throughout the game. Henry had his way against the Chargers' defense, surpassing 100 yards for the sixth time this season. Additionally, Justice Hill made his presence felt, as the fifth-year back broke off a game-sealing 51-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to extend the Ravens' lead to 30-16, ultimately proving too much for the Chargers to overcome.
Ravens’ Defense Steps up After Shaky Start
The Ravens' pass defense also had a lot to prove after struggling mightily against pass-heavy offenses through the first 10 weeks of the season. However, in last week's game against the Steelers, first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr found some success, as the Ravens held the Steelers' offense without a touchdown, forcing six field goals. Trade deadline acquisition cornerback Tre'Davious White also had a strong performance in his first game with the team since being traded from the Rams. Heading into tonight’s game against the Chargers, the Ravens and their fans hoped to build on their impressive defensive performance from a week prior and carry that momentum into their matchup with Los Angeles. After the Chargers' first possession, which saw Justin Herbert and the offense easily march down the field for an opening touchdown, Ravens fans were anxious, wondering if the defense would revert to its previous struggles. However, those worries were put to rest as the Ravens' defense held strong for the remainder of the game, allowing just one more touchdown late in the game and holding Herbert to 218 passing yards with no passing touchdowns. If the Ravens' defense can continue to build on its last two outings, it will go a long way toward making the team more complete heading into the stretch run.
Ravens’ Offense Exploits Chargers’ Defense
The Ravens' offense, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, was looking to bounce back after last week's loss to Pittsburgh, which was marred by self-inflicted wounds, including untimely penalties and turnovers. A week later, the Ravens made significant improvements in both areas, avoiding turnovers, and only four of their nine penalties were on the offense. As a result, the Ravens' offense delivered the improved performance they were seeking, scoring 30 or more points for the seventh time this season. In the game, the Ravens' offense picked apart a Chargers' defense that had emerged as a top-tier unit under coordinator Jesse Minter, allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL at 14.5 coming into the matchup. However, the Chargers' defensive success did not carry over to Monday night, as the Ravens scored on five consecutive drives, with Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman each recording touchdown receptions in the win.
