Ravens vs. Chargers: 3 MVPs, 7 Winners and 2 Losers

The MVPs, Winners and Losers from Week 12 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Baltimore Ravens will leave the West Coast with a win after bulldozing through the Los Angeles Chargers’ top-ranked scoring defense in a 30-23 victory. Let’s get to MVP, winners and losers

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MVPs: John Harbaugh, Todd Monken, Zach Orr

The Baltimore Ravens coaching staff deserves enormous credit for their “Monday Night Football” win over the Chargers.

Head Coach John Harbaugh was aggressive. They went for it on fourth down three times, and were successful on all three, including a 4th & 1 from their own 17-yard line. His decision to be aggressive put the Ravens up at the half, 14-13. The game plan was effective and the team appeared to be more disciplined. The stats don’t look it, what with nine penalties for 102 yards, but there were a fair few that were widely questioned.

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken called an excellent game. He stuck to simplicity, running the football while activating the pass game and exploiting the Chargers’ personnel.

The biggest indicator was running back Justice Hill’s 51-yard touchdown where he gashed the left side on 3rd & 2, attacking the Chargers’ aggression at the line and lighter personnel.

For a second straight week, the Ravens’ defense has rallied and strung together better performances. The decision to bench safety Marcus Williams and cut Eddie Jackson has shown to be the correct decision as explosive plays have been far and few between. Add in the fact the Ravens were without inside linebacker Roquan Smith against one of the better rushing offenses in the league and it becomes all the more impressive. We may be seeing the breakout of Orr and the Ravens’ defense, and not a moment too soon.

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Winners

Lamar Jackson: A most casual 177 passing yards and two touchdowns paired with 15 rushing yards and a touchdown for Jackson. His accuracy and decision-making were a concern early, but by game’s end, he out-dueled Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert while facing the stingiest scoring defense in the NFL.

Justice Hill: He’s earned his paychecks with pass-protection blocks and spelling the Ravens’ top running back, but tonight got his own highlight reel run as he gashed the Chargers’ defense for a 51-yard score.

Rashod Bateman: The breakout is real. After surpassing his rookie season receiving yards total last week, Bateman delivered his greatest reception as a Raven yet: a 40-yard snag in the end zone while being draped on by a defender.

Derrick Henry: For the first time in his Ravens’ career, he ends without a touchdown. However, he pummeled the Chargers’ defense to the tune of 24 carries for 140 yards, including multiple 10+ yard carries. He also added another stiff-arm highlight as he dumped two defenders to convert on 3rd & 1.

Mark Andrews: Multiple grabs to convert on third down and a fourth down conversion with the tight end direct snap tush-push. And, add in the blatantly obvious touchdown that had to be argued against an officiating crew to be awarded for good measure.

Pass rush: The Ravens defense didn’t let Herbert get comfortable with numerous pressures and four sacks. Orr gave many different defenders opportunities to get on the stat sheet and Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Brandon Stephens and Josh Tupou got one apiece. Seven in all tallied a quarterback hit.

Malik Harrison: His limitations were visible in coverage and the Chargers brought it right to him in the first quarter. But after adjustments, Harrison became a physical presence and kept downhill to slow the Chargers’ rushing attack. He answered the call with Roquan Smith out.

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Losers

Penalties: The Ravens entered as the most penalized team in football and they will finish that way with nine flags for 102 yards. As stated earlier, some were debatable. But, there were still errors that stalled the Ravens. They’re the only team that can stop them. Tonight was more proof of it.

Marcus Williams: There’s no bigger indictment on Williams than the Ravens’ defensive performance the past two weeks. They’ve been a far superior pass defense, allowed fewer explosive plays and are getting off the field on third down more. For a team that has a strong affinity for three-safety usage, they’ve moved to using cornerbacks Tre’Davious White, Brandon Stephens and Jalyn Armour-Davis instead.