Chargers get run over by Derrick Henry and the Ravens: Instant analysis of Week 12 loss

Jim Harbaugh remains winless against his brother, John, as the Chargers lost to the Ravens on Monday night.

Jim Harbaugh remains winless against his brother, John, as the Chargers fell to the Ravens on Monday night.

Here’s our recap of Los Angeles’ 30-23 loss.

It was over when…

Justice Hill ran for a 51-yard touchdown, which extended the Ravens’ lead to 14 points.

Notable number

Chargers allowed 212 rushing yards. It was the first time a Jim Harbaugh-coached NFL team allowed over 200 rushing yards.

Stars of the game

  1. RB JK Dobbins: Before leaving the game with a knee injury, Dobbins had six carries for 40 yards (6.7 YPC).
  2. WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey continued to impress, catching all six of his targets for 83 yards.

Quick hits

  • The Chargers’ offense got off to a great start. They scored on their first possession. However, that would be the only time they found the end zone until their garbage-time touchdown in the final minute of the game.
  • J.K. Dobbins provided the offensive spark. Dobbins rushed for 40 yards on six carries. It looked like he was bound for a revenge game against his former team. That was until he left with a knee injury and did not return.
  • The Ravens’ defense, which ranked dead last against the pass entering today, made it difficult for Justin Herbert. Herbert finished 21 of 36 passing for 218 yards and zero touchdowns. He was sacked four times.
  • Herbert did not benefit from Quentin Johnston’s four dropped passes, including one on a crosser that would have resulted in a big gain on 3rd-and-6 when they were only trailing by seven points. Instead, the Chargers punted the ball away, and the Ravens scored, essentially putting the game away.
  • The Chargers’ second-half offense continues to be a problem. Without the garbage-time touchdown, they would have only managed three points in the second half.
  • Jesse Minter’s defense was humbled by the Ravens’ rushing attack. They had no answer for Derrick Henry, who rushed for 140 yards. Hill ran free for a 51-yard touchdown. Denzel Perryman’s absence was felt in this game.
  • The Chargers had a good game plan against Lamar Jackson on the ground, as he was limited to 15 yards on eight carries.
  • Not having Cam Hart on the field was a big blow to the defense in coverage. Hart was injured in Saturday’s practice, which is why he was ruled out of the game.
  • The Chargers failed to stop any of the Ravens’ three fourth-down attempts, including one from Baltimore’s own 16-yard line.
  • After not giving up more than 20 points in their first nine games, the Chargers have given up 27 points and now 30.

What’s next?

The Chargers travel to face the Falcons this upcoming Sunday, Dec. 1, at 10:00 am PT.

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Ravens in Week 12

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Baltimore in Week 12.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens in the second “HarBowl.”

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

Jim meets his brother, John, for the third time, looking to beat him for once and get revenge for Super Bowl 47. Justin Herbert has a favorable matchup against the league’s worst passing defense. But it will come down to whether the Chargers can limit Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry from lighting up the scoreboard like they’re used to. Baltimore scores a few touchdowns, but Herbert’s dominance continues en route to Los Angeles’ fifth consecutive victory. Chargers 27, Ravens 24

Alex K:

Baltimore has struggled on the road this season, but they’re still the league’s top offense. With Denzel Perryman (groin) out and Cam Hart (concussion) questionable, the Ravens may be able to move the ball against a strong Chargers defense. But Justin Herbert has been on a tear outside a rocky second half last week, and Baltimore is one of the league’s worst pass defenses. Chargers 31, Ravens 30

Chargers Week 12 estimated injury report: Ladd McConkey listed among non participants

The Chargers released their first injury report before Monday night’s game against the Ravens.

The Chargers released their first injury report before Monday night’s game against the Ravens. However, the team did not hold a practice, making this an estimated report if they had taken the practice field.

Per the report, four players would have been held out: Wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder), linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle) and safety AJ Finley (ankle).

Safety Derwin James, Jr. (groin), edge defender Khalil Mack (groin), edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), edge defender Bud Dupree (foot) and guard Trey Pipkins III (ankle) were all listed as limited.

Cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) was estimated to be a full participant.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Ravens?

Find out who experts are picking between the Chargers and Ravens.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 3-point underdogs to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 of the 2024 regular season. The over/under is 51 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 51 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 30-27 win for the Chargers, with a total of 57 points. So, if I were putting money based on my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts give a slight nod to Baltimore.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Ravens
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Ravens
Mike Clay (ESPN) Ravens
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Ravens
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Chargers
NFL.com Staff Ravens (4-1)
Bleacher Report Ravens

Monday’s game will begin at 5:15 p.m. PT and be televised on ESPN.

5 Ravens players to watch in Week 12 vs. Chargers

The Ravens pose several problems for the Chargers in Week 12, led by their dominant rushing attack.

With four straight victories, the Chargers are now set for a huge primetime matchup against the Ravens. Baltimore is coming off a close loss to their division rival, the Steelers, so they’ll be coming in fired up.

Here are some players to watch from Baltimore’s side of the ball on Monday evening:

WR Zay Flowers

Flowers is the Ravens’ best wideout and most dangerous pass catcher. His 727 receiving yards rank fifth, and he’s particularly potent after the catch. In that aspect, he ranks 10th in the NFL, with 362 yards coming after the catch. The Chargers secondary will need to keep tabs on him at all times, as he could pose them with some serious problems.

C Tyler Linderbaum

Linderbaum has developed into one of the best centers in all of football. According to Pro Football Focus, he dominates opposing defensive lines and has an elite 83.2 overall grade this year. If the interior part of the Chargers’ defensive line allows him to dominate, it may be a long night, particularly in the run game. The Ravens are second in the NFL in rushing with 177.3 yards per contest, and Linderbaum is a big reason for that.

DT Nnamdi Madubuike

Madubuike has a similar effect on the defensive line as Linderbaum does on the offensive line. He’s quietly one of the most underrated defensive lineman in football. His $98 million contract extension in March has proved its worth thus far, as he has racked up 5.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and 26 total tackles. Center Bradley Bozeman is the weakness of the Chargers’ offensive line, and they may be exposed on Monday against Madubuike.

EDGE Odafe Oweh

Oweh, a former first-round pick out of Penn State, is coming off a stellar performance. He tied his career high with 2.5 sacks against the Steelers in Week 11, as he was disruptive all game long. In 2024, he’s up to 7.0 sacks, already the most he’s had in a season. The Chargers’ elite offensive tackle duo must keep Oweh away (get it?) from Justin Herbert.

S Kyle Hamilton

No one understood how he fell to the Ravens at No. 14 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He was an All-Pro honoree in 2023 and seems well on his way to another appearance this season. His 81 total tackles already match his career high, and he’s added two sacks, seven pass deflections, a forced fumble, and three tackles for loss. Herbert must always monitor Hamilton on the backend.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 12 opponent: Ravens

Here are some important things to know about the Ravens ahead of the Week 12 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are at home to face the Ravens in primetime on Monday, Nov. 25, at 5:15 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 12 bout, here are a few key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Ravens are 7-4 on the season, with their most recent game being a loss to the Steelers.

Harbowl II

Jim and John Harbaugh will meet for the second time. Harbowl I occurred in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers 34-31.

Running up the scoreboard

The Ravens have been a problem to opposing defenses this season. Baltimore is averaging the second-most points in the NFL (30.4).

Lamar is legit

One of the main reasons the Ravens’ offense is impactful is Lamar Jackson’s play. Jackson has thrown for 2,876 yards and 25 touchdowns with three interceptions. He ranks first in EPA/play and success rate. Along with being a prolific passer, Jackson is lethal with his legs. He’s carried the ball 95 times for 584 yards and two scores.

All hail King Henry

The Ravens’ acquisition of Derrick Henry this past offseason has paid dividends. The former Titan has run wild this season, leading the league in yards (1,185), rushing touchdowns (13), and 20+ yard rushing plays (13). Between Jackson and Henry, Baltimore is averaging a whopping 177.3 yards per game on the ground.

Uneven defense

The Ravens have been stout against the run, allowing just 77.5 yards per game, which ranks No. 2 in the league. However, Baltimore has been torched through the air. They’ve given up the most passes (39.5) and passing yards per game (284.5).

Look out for…

Zay Flowers. Flowers, the second-year wide receiver, has established himself as Jackson’s top target. He has the fifth-most receiving yards (727) and is nearly always bound to make a big play.

Report: Chargers hiring Ravens player evaluation and analytics manager Corey Krawiec

Corey Krawiec was vital to the Ravens’ success over the past decade.

The Chargers are hiring Ravens player evaluation and analytics manager Corey Krawiec, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

Krawiec had been with Baltimore since 2013 in a role in which he supported the team’s college scouting, pro scouting, and salary cap departments with data analysis and research.

Krawiec was vital to the Ravens’ success over the past decade.

Joe Hortiz is off to a strong start in his role as Chargers general manager by bringing in Krawiec, who he’s very familiar with, having worked with him in Baltimore.

The Harbaugh Bowl: Revisiting Super Bowl XLVII

Will the Chargers be the team to get Jim another shot at winning a ring? 

With Jim Harbaugh back in the NFL, one of the most exciting matchups next season will be when he faces his brother as the Chargers will host the Ravens at SoFi Stadium.

John was asked about the faceoff between the two and said, “My brother Jim and I] are looking forward to all of it. I’m just very happy for him. [I’m] proud of him [and] excited for him.”

Ahead of their matchup next season, let’s revisit the last time Jim and John Harbaugh faced each other: Super Bowl XLVII.

The Ravens faced the San Francisco 49ers at the Superdome in 2013. Super Bowl 47 was memorable for a myriad of reasons. 

The halftime show featured an iconic performance from Beyonce. There was a power outage that put America’s biggest sporting event on hold for over thirty minutes. And it was the first time in Super Bowl history that brothers coached against each other. 

Super Bowl 47 earned two notable nicknames, the “Blackout Bowl” and the “Harbaugh Bowl.”

The Ravens, led by quarterback Joe Flacco at the time, opened with a strong first half with a 21-6 lead by halftime. The 49ers responded in the second half with 17 unanswered points. San Francisco trailed 34-29 at the two-minute warning, but a turnover on downs cost them the game. 

The Ravens won by the score of 34-31.

Super Bowl 47 is John’s only Super Bowl victory and Jim’s only Super Bowl appearance. 

Will the Chargers be the team to get Jim another shot at winning a ring?