Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) – Baltimore Ravens (8-4): 23-30
The Ravens were not explosive, but they controlled the Chargers without much difficulty this Monday evening. John Harbaugh's team simply applied what it does best: put the game on the ground with Derrick Henry (24 races, 140 yards), then let Lamar Jackson (16/22, 177 yards, 2 TDs – 8 races, 15 yards, 1 TD) plant a few banderillas to finish off the opponent.
Too short in attack, unable to respond once led, Justin Herbert (21/36, 218 yards) and his teammates were simply not strong and complete enough to compete. And here is John Harbaugh who now leads three victories to zero in his clashes with his little brother Jim.
The Chargers stopped in their momentum
Everything started rather well for the Chargers in a first possession notably led by JK Dobbins (6 races, 40 yards) and capped by a touchdown on the ground from Herbert. Problem, Dobbins left during the second quarter because of a knee injury. From there, things got very complicated for the Californians, completely unbalanced in their play calling, with only five carries in the second half and not enough quality receivers to go the distance. Ladd McConkey (6 rec, 83 yards) found himself alone, while Quentin Johnston made multiple errors.
With four punts and three field goals, the attack stalled until Baltimore came back, then escaped.
Derrick Henry carries the Ravens
Trailing 10-0 after the first quarter, the Ravens started thanks to some big runs from Derrick Henry. But it's Lamar Jackson who scores on the ground at the end of the series (10-7). The quarterback then found Rashod Bateman (2 rec, 43 yards, 1 TD) on a 40-yard bomb to put his team in front just before the break (13-14).
Returning from the locker room, Baltimore continues to get their hands on the ball and roll out. At the foot first to get back in front (13-17). Then with two consecutive touchdowns to kill the game. The first for Mark Andrews (5 rec, 44 yards, 1 TD), the second for Justice Hill (4 races, 55 yards, 1 TD) on a murderous 51-yard run which puts an exclamation point on the clear domination of visitors.
The Chargers' second touchdown came too late, and the Ravens recovered the onside kick to finish the job.
A logical success, with a team at the top of the table which has shown that it can impose its law by relying on its identity and its stars. While the Chargers have measured the distance they still have to go to be able to compete.
