"Ravens vs. Chargers on Monday Night Football: Key Takeaways from Baltimore's 30-23 Victory"

 "Baltimore Ravens 30, Los Angeles Chargers 23: Final Score"

Full Box Score

Rewatch: Ravens vs. Chargers on NFL+

Read: Ravens, Chargers Flip-Flop in AFC Playoff Picture After Monday

Read: Bolts’ Dobbins Exits Game vs. Former Team with Knee Injury

Read: John Harbaugh's Gutsy Fourth-Down Call: Turning Point in Ravens' Win

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Ravens Dominate with Running Game in Emphatic Win

When the Ravens are firing on all cylinders, it starts with their powerful ground game. This was evident once again in Monday night’s victory, with Derrick Henry wreaking havoc on the Chargers' defense, which had been ranked 10th in the NFL for run defense. Henry powered Baltimore’s opening touchdown drive with multiple big runs (19, 14, 11 yards) and capped it off with 140 yards on 24 carries. Lamar Jackson benefited from the strong run game, with plenty of time to pick apart the Chargers' defense, while Henry continued to shine in a role that suits him perfectly.

Dobbins’ Injury Derails Chargers' Offense

J.K. Dobbins was primed for a revenge game against his former team but left after just 19 offensive snaps due to a knee injury. Before going down, Dobbins had gained 40 yards on six carries, but his absence left the Chargers’ offense one-dimensional. Without a viable run threat, Justin Herbert was forced to carry the load, and the Chargers’ offensive balance crumbled. The Ravens took control of the game’s time of possession in the second half, while the Chargers’ offense struggled to find rhythm, especially without Dobbins.

Chargers Need Help at Wide Receiver

As the game wore on, the Chargers were forced to air it out, but it became painfully clear that they lack a true deep threat. Herbert's long passes to Josh Palmer were unsuccessful, and rookie Quentin Johnston dropped several key passes, including a third-down opportunity that could have kept the game within reach. Ladd McConkey was the only reliable target, but that wasn’t enough. With no running game and limited receiving threats, the Chargers’ offense floundered, and their inability to make explosive plays hurt them in the final minutes.

Chargers’ Defense Collapses Against Ravens’ Attack

Los Angeles entered the game with a strong defensive reputation, but the Ravens’ running game exposed vulnerabilities. Derrick Henry’s dominance up front allowed Lamar Jackson to take a backseat in the passing game, attempting just 22 passes while still leading his team to 30 points. The Chargers couldn’t stop the run, and their defense couldn’t hold up in key moments, allowing the Ravens to pull away. Despite a strong start to the season, the Chargers showed they’re still not quite ready to compete with the AFC’s elite teams.

Ravens Continue to Prove Their Contender Status

This game was billed as a key matchup between two AFC contenders, but the Ravens quickly proved they were the better team. They controlled the game through the ground game, Jackson’s playmaking, and clutch performances from Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. The defense also stepped up in the second half, limiting the Chargers to just three points and sacking Herbert three times. Though the Ravens had some penalty issues (nine accepted penalties), they executed when it mattered most. This victory sets them up well for a crucial final stretch, beginning with a matchup against the surging Eagles on Sunday.

Next Gen Stats Insight from Ravens-Chargers

Lamar Jackson’s 40-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman traveled 57.4 yards in the air, marking Jackson’s second-longest completion of the season and his second pass over 50 yards of air distance. All four of Jackson’s longest completions this season have been targeted at Bateman.

NFL Research

Derrick Henry’s 140-yard performance marked his sixth game of 100+ rushing yards in 2024, tied for the second-most such games in the NFL this season. It was also his 20th career game with 140+ rushing yards, tying Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson for the seventh-most in NFL history.