Tag: los angeles chargers

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.

Jim Harbaugh dropped an unexpectedly hysterical Black Eyed Peas reference in presser

We’ve got a feeling you’ll like this video.

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has a big prime-time game coming up next Monday against his brother, John Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens.

When talking about playing a prime-time game, Jim Harbaugh made a very unexpected reference to the song “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas.

“Tonight’s gonna be a good night,” Harbaugh said about why he likes prime-time games, which is directly lifted from the 2009 Black Eyed Peas song.

When asked if he’s a Black Eyed Peas fan, Harbaugh said with a smile, “Who isn’t, right?”

While Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel might be the funniest coach in the NFL, Harbaugh’s quips like this are absolutely hysterical.

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Chargers fortify the offense in latest two round mock draft

Browns Wire editor and NFL Draft expert Cory Kinnan gave the Chargers two offensive prospects in a mock draft released on Tuesday.

Riding a four game win streak after a nail-biting win over the Bengals on Sunday Night Football, the Chargers have a while before they need to think about the 2025 NFL Draft.

Nonetheless, there are some glaring holes on the current roster, ones that Browns Wire editor and NFL Draft expert Cory Kinnan tried to fill for Los Angeles in his latest mock draft, published on the Daft on Draft Substack.

Round 1, Pick 25: Ohio State G Donovan Jackson

From Kinnan:

The Los Angeles Chargers have built a mean identity. They are a gritty team but need another mauler along the interior of their offensive line. Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson will fortify that for the Chargers, who are starting Trey Pipkins at right guard. Jim Harbaugh wants to beat up the team across from him down by down, and Jackson helps that cause.

Pipkins hasn’t been the most glaring issue for the interior of the Chargers offensive line, but his performance also hasn’t been good enough to warrant him going into next season as an unquestioned starter. With $6.75 million of potential cap savings if Pipkins is released this offseason, Los Angeles may be more inclined to move on if a mauler of Jackson’s caliber is available.

Round 2, Pick 57: Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr.

With Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland off the board by the time the Chargers pick at 25 in Kinnan’s mock, a tight end wasn’t a viable pick in the first round. Texas tight end Gunnar Helm comes off the board 12 picks before LA comes up, which leaves the Chargers with Fannin, a supercharged receiving option who has lit up Power 4 teams like Texas A&M and Penn State for the Falcons this season. Los Angeles needs a primary receiver at that spot – while Will Dissly’s career highs as a receiver have been a pleasant surprise, the Chargers need a more reliable weapon for Justin Herbert over the middle.

Chargers players explain why 2024 team ‘feels different’

Fans can feel the difference this season, and the players admit the same.

The Chargers nearly let one get away from them in Week 11 against the Bengals. Unlike in recent similar situations, the Chargers persevered and pulled out a victory this time around.

With Jim Harbaugh leading the team, this game felt different. The Bengals erased a 21-point deficit, but Los Angeles’ defense made a few crucial stops while the offense scored a game-winning touchdown.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley put in another stellar performance with a team-high 11 tackles on Sunday. After the game, he admitted that this year’s team feels different.

“This is a different team. This is not what the Chargers have been or what the fans here are used to… And the best part about it was that we rallied together.”

In previous years, the Chargers have lost several of these close, one-score contests. Not this time around, though.

Los Angeles improved to 7-3 with their fourth straight win and are in a great spot for the postseason. Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who is in his fourth year with the team, echoed a very similar sentiment.

“Resiliency. Poise. Mental toughness. That’s the culture around here now,” Slater said after the primetime victory.

This isn’t a team that is still run by incompetent coaching. Instead, the Chargers now have one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL led by Harbaugh.

Fans can feel the difference this season, and the players admit the same.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 11

Even after allowing 27 points, the Chargers still have the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL.

The Chargers improved to 7-3 after beating the Bengals in Week 11.

Justin Herbert was lights out in the first half until he wasn’t. He and the rest of the offense stalled in the second half before engineering a game-winning drive. The defense allowed more than 20 points for the first time this season.

With Week 12 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 22.0 ppg 18th
Passing offense 204.8 ypg 19th
Rushing offense 121.6 ypg 12th
Total offense 326.4 ypg 18th
3rd down conversions 38.81% 15th
Red zone scoring 53.85% 21st
Sacks allowed 26 19th
Turnovers 5 T-1st

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 14.5 ppg 1st
Passing defense 206.6 ypg 12th
Rushing defense 110.5 ypg 11th
Total defense 317.1 ypg 11th
3rd down conversions 32.33% 2nd
Red zone defense 40.91% 2nd
Sacks 34 T-4th
Takeaways 13 13th

 

Chargers continue to climb in NFL power rankings after Week 11 win over Bengals

The Chargers received high praise from NFL analysts after their primetime win.

The Chargers improved to 7-3 after defeating the Bengals last Sunday night.

After Week 11, let’s see where Los Angeles stands in NFL power rankings:

USA Today: 11 (Previous: 13)

“Sunday night saw their best offensive performance of the season … and worst showing on defense. But teammates pick one another up and vanquishing Cincy gives the Bolts a near-ironclad grip on a wild-card berth.”

NFL: 9 (Previous: 10)

“The Chargers made as wide a swing as was imaginable on Sunday night, looking like a dark-horse Super Bowl team in the first half, then nearly coughing up what would have been an inexcusable loss — one that would have also significantly damaged their playoff hopes. After opening the game scorching hot, Justin Herbert froze over pretty fast, going 5-for-18 passing at one point in the second half and missing two big throws to Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey. The QB’s early fourth-quarter fumble (Herbert’s first turnover since Week 2) led to the Bengals tying things up, and it looked like Cincinnati was going to walk out of there with a win. But Herbert hit McConkey for 28 and 27 yards in the final minute, and the Chargers escaped a game that had a playoff-like atmosphere. The competition only gets tougher from here on out, too, so they’d better be prepared for more of these types of battles.”

ESPN: 9 (Previous: 11)

Preseason hot seat: WR Quentin Johnston
Current temperature of hot seat: Cold

“After struggling with drops as a rookie, there were questions coming into this season about whether Johnston was an NFL-caliber wideout. He has silenced any doubt this season, with a team-high six receiving touchdowns. In L.A.’s win over Cincinnati, he became the first Charger since 2021 to have a receiving touchdown in three straight games. “Honestly, if nobody else believed in me, I still had full confidence in myself,” Johnston said. “It was just a matter of going out and proving it.”

CBS Sports: 9 (Previous: 9)

“Jim Harbaugh has this team playing good football. The defense got a little exposed against the Bengals, but they are better than that.”

Sports Illustrated: 8 (Previous: 9)

“The Chargers got the absolute best out of the Bengals not only offensively but defensively too. Justin Herbert threw a league high 27.8% of his throws into tight coverage on Sunday night against a very good—for one week at least—Bengals defense. Herbert also dealt with a paltry average wideout separation rating, which was more than a yard below the league leader from Sunday.”

Bleacher Report: 10 (Previous: 10)

“These Chargers are different. These Chargers didn’t find themselves Chargering late in the fourth quarter. The Bengals almost pulled off the biggest second-half comeback in franchise history. But Herbert, McConkey, and Dobbins didn’t let it happen thanks to a strong game-winning drive with less than a minute remaining. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is changing the attitude in the Chargers locker room. This squad earned its 7-3 record. It’ll be a difficult out for the rest of the season.”

Rookie Ladd McConkey proving to be the top receiver for Chargers

Rookie Ladd McConkey proving to be the top receiver for the resurgent Los Angeles Chargers

There was a lot of flack that came from the new regime of Jim Harbaugh for the Los Angeles Chargers when he opted to forego one of the elite pass-catching options in the 2024 NFL Draft and instead went with an offensive lineman. To offset their losses at the receiver position, the Chargers instead decided to invest in the position at the top of the second round with the selection of former Georgia Bulldog Ladd McConkey, and that investment is paying off in a big way.

McConkey had himself a day in an offensive shootout against the Cincinnati Bengals, hauling in 6 catches for 123 yards and being the most consistent explosive threat within the Chargers’ passing game. McConkey looked every bit the explosive route technician we saw in college, and as he starts to connect with quarterback Justin Herbert he will become that much more productive.

 

Given McConkey’s production as of late it’s possible he could leap frog all the other rookie receivers and be the league’s top rookie pass catcher should he keep up his current pace. McConkey has quickly transitioned into the NFL game and given what he is showing in just his first season, McConkey is going to be a force for a long time.

Game Balls: 5 standouts in Chargers’ Week 11 primetime victory

Once again, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was dominant in the team’s fourth consecutive victory.

The Chargers won their fourth straight game with a narrow victory in primetime on Sunday Night Football. The Bolts may not have won this game in the past, but it’s starting to feel like a new era with Jim Harbaugh.

Without further ado, here are the standouts from the Chargers’ impressive victory in Week 11.

QB Justin Herbert

Herbert was slinging the rock early on before cooling off in the second half. He finished the contest with 297 passing yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly, he was able to continuously escape the pocket and pick up first downs with his legs. Herbert finished with five carries and a season-high 65 rushing yards on the night.

WR Ladd McConkey

The rookie wideout racked up a career-high 123 receiving yards and tied his best mark of six catches. As Herbert continues to play better, so does McConkey. He’s become the clear No. 1 in an offense that desperately needed it earlier in the season. Without him, the Chargers would not have won this contest.

OT Joe Alt

This rookie class continues to perform, led by Alt and McConkey. Alt was phenomenal all night, and Herbert was sacked twice against the Bengals’ front. The rookie offensive tackle may be a candidate to make the AFC’s Pro Bowl squad.

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

With Khalil Mack out of the lineup, Tuipulotu continued his recent excellence. Against a vulnerable Bengals offensive line, he racked up 1.5 sacks, five total tackles, and four quarterback hits. All seven of his sacks on the season have now come in the last four weeks. Tuipulotu is tied for 11th in the NFL in bringing down the quarterback.

EDGE Joey Bosa

This was a vintage performance from Bosa and a reminder of how good he is when healthy. While he didn’t officially register a sack, he was after Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow all night long. Bosa finished with eight pressures and three quarterback hits on the evening. This Chargers pass rush has been exceptional recently, and that was on full display again on Sunday.

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after win over Bengals?

The Chargers are in great position to play beyond the regular season.

The Chargers beat the Bengals on Sunday, picking up their fourth consecutive victory. They improved to 7-3, and their chances of playing beyond the regular season.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 91% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win and the Ravens’ loss to the Steelers on Sunday, L.A. moved up to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 12:

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Chargers (7-3)

3. Broncos (6-5)

4. Raiders (2-8)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Bills (9-2)

3. Steelers (8-2)

4. Texans (6-4)

5. Chargers (7-3)

6. Ravens (7-4)

7. Broncos (6-5)

8. Colts (5-6)

9. Dolphins (4-6)

10. Bengals (4-7)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Ravens
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Chargers

Ladd McConkey’s dominant rookie campaign continues: ‘He’s a baller’

Ladd McConkey has been one of the league’s top rookie wide receivers.

The Chargers and Bengals were tied at 27 apiece and 45 seconds left in the game, and Los Angeles needed someone to step up on offense, which had stalled throughout the second half.

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey rose to the occasion.

McConkey reeled in two passes for 55 yards that set up J.K. Dobbins’ go-ahead touchdown run.

“When we needed an answer, Ladd made some big catches and we moved the ball,” quarterback Justin Herbert said.

The first reception went for 28 yards. McConkey was covered by Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, and the former Georgia product climbed the ladder and made a great catch near the right sideline.

Two plays later, McConkey ran an excellent corner route to make himself open near the left sideline, and Herbert delivered a strike for a gain of 27 yards. Dobbins then sealed the deal.

McConkey finished the game with six catches for 123 yards, which is a career-high and the most by a Chargers rookie since Keenan Allen.

The connection between McConkey and Herbert has continued to strengthen week after week, and the numbers speak for themselves.

McConkey is up to a team-high 43 receptions and 615 yards, both of which are second-most among all rookie wide receivers.

“He’s a dude,” running back J.K. Dobbins said. “He’s a baller. He’s a playmaker.”

People were writing off the Chargers’ wide receiver room because of the lack of top-end talent, but McConkey has provided the much-needed boost and has grown into a role that he can be counted on in crunch time.