Game Recap: Ravens Defeat Chargers on 'Monday Night Football'
In the third HarBowl, John Harbaugh got the best of his younger brother, Jim, once again as the Ravens beat the Chargers, 30-23, on "Monday Night Football."
Baltimore trailed 10-0 early, but aggressive running by Derrick Henry and play-calling from John Harbaugh helped the Ravens (8-4) put together five consecutive scoring drives in an impressive primetime win over Los Angeles (7-4).
Here's how it happened:
Turning Point
At their own 16-yard line trailing by three, John Harbaugh had one of the gutsiest calls of his career. On fourth-and-1, Harbaugh dialed up a sneak with Mark Andrews, and the tight end pushed past the line to gain.
"I just felt like we could make it. No guts, no glory, right?" Harbaugh told ESPN reporter Lisa Salters at halftime.
The call came right after the two-minute warning, and the Ravens marched down the field, taking the lead on a long Rashod Bateman touchdown catch. Not only did the play give Baltimore momentum, but it was also a historically aggressive play call.
Harbaugh went for it on fourth down two more times, and the Ravens converted both – including one from their own 39-yard line – as Baltimore dominated the second half.
Top Play
Bateman's defender was flagged for pass interference, but it didn't even matter.
With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Lamar Jackson threw a bomb to Bateman in the end zone. The fourth-year wide receiver adjusted on the left sideline before hauling in the 40-yard touchdown to put the Ravens up, 14-10.
While Bateman's catch gave Baltimore the lead, Justice Hill iced the game, going 51 yards on third-and-2. The run, a career-high for Hill, came with less than eight minutes remaining and put the Ravens ahead, 30-16.
Stock Watch
RB Derrick Henry
On Baltimore's first scoring drive, Henry had runs of 19, 14, and 11 yards before Jackson punched it in from 10 yards out. Henry was held out of the end zone for the first time this season, but he piled up 140 yards on 24 carries.
WR Rashod Bateman
Bateman didn't come down with a potentially difficult deep touchdown catch earlier in the game, but he made up for it. His 40-yard touchdown brought the Ravens back from a 10-0 deficit and came one play after drawing a 12-yard pass interference penalty.
CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins laid a big hit on Jalen Reagor on third-and-5, knocking the ball incomplete to force a Chargers punt. On the ensuing Ravens possession, Justin Herbert took a deep shot to the end zone, but Wiggins had tight coverage, and the Chargers eventually settled for a field goal. Wiggins finished with six solo tackles and had one of his best games as a pro.
QB Lamar Jackson
Jackson started the game 1-of-5 passing, but he finished 16-of-22 for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson continued his Monday night dominance as the Ravens bounced back from a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Up Next
The Ravens host the Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. The Eagles have won seven straight led by the NFL's leading rusher, Saquon Barkley, who had more than 300 yards from scrimmage in Week 12 and drew praise from Henry. Baltimore has a big test before its Week 14 bye.
