MNF: Ravens, Chargers, John, Jim
Hicks Harbaugh Pick: John's Ravens bounce back with win over Jim's Chargers.
Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley blew up the world of pro football in the Eagles’ 37-20 win Sunday night over the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles’ star back rushed for a career- and NFL season-best 255 yards in leading his team to its sixth straight win. In firm command of the NFC East, the Eagles seem to be on a collision course with the Detroit Lions for a meeting in the NFC Championship (though the Vikings and Packers might have something to say on the matter).
The SNF game also capped off a wild Sunday of NFL football, highlighted by the absurd Dallas-Commanders outcome that had a fourth quarter for the ages — but dangerous for the aged.
What can Monday’s night game between the Baltimore Ravens (7-4) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) do for an encore? Well if it’s anything like the last time the Harbargh brothers went against each other, then NFL fans will have a lot to be thankful for heading into the holiday week.
That meeting, you may remember, was Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, following the 2012 season, when older brother John’s Baltimore Ravens endured a power outage and a furious San Francisco second-half rally to hold off Jim and the 49ers, 34-31.
Now Jim Harbaugh, fresh off a CFB national championship, is working wonders with the L.A. Chargers, a team that in recent years was blessed with playmaking talent but found an inordinate number of ways to lose games in heartbreaking fashion. The pass-happy, leaky defenses of those recent teams has been replaced by a squad hard-nosed in the Jim Harbaugh mold, driven by a somewhat improved running game, the league’s toughest defense to score against and a roster of coaches and execs poached from his big brother’s team.
That's right, little brother getting big brother’s still serviceable hand-me-downs.
It took him a few weeks, but Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert seems to locking in to an offensive approach that demands less of him than in years past. He has thrown seven TDs in the last four games, (13 overall on the season) and shows a growing confidence in young receivers Quentin Johnson and Ladd McConkey, the latter coming off a 123-yard day in the 34-27 win over Cincinnati. (McConkey is questionable with a shoulder injury.)
More importantly, Herbert has thrown just one pick this entire season, all the way back in Week 2, and avoiding turnovers can not be discounted when looking for reasons as to why San Diego allows the fewest points in the NFL.
This week, Herbert and the L.A. passing game face a surprisingly vulnerable Ravens pass defense, ranked last the NFL. Busted coverages and a lack of consistent pressure have hurt the Baltimore defense all year, and taking on a quarterback such as Herbert, who has maximized ball protection, does not bode well for defense that has managed just seven interceptions. Don’t be surprised if Chargers signal-caller has his most productive game of the season Monday night.
As interesting as that side of the ball might be, the marquee matchup of this game is the powerful and dynamic Baltimore offense against the Chargers’ stingy defense. As noted earlier, the Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense — and by a full two points per game — despite the fact that they are not in the top 10 in either passing or rushing yards allowed.
The Chargers are top 10 in sacks, even though their celebrated edge rushers, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, have been dealing with injuries and account for just seven of the team’s 34 sacks. Bosa, who suffered an injured hip early in the season, saw his minutes increase in recent weeks, as he has played his way back into the lineup. Reports are that the injury may not be fully healed, as he was limited in practice on Friday. Meanwhile, Mack continues to battle a groin issue and is questionable for the Monday nighter.
The Chargers also boast the NFL’s No. 2 red-zone defense. But guess what? Baltimore’s offense the league’s best in that much-contested territory, converting such opportunities into TDs at a ridiculous 78 percent rate.
L.A. cornerback Kristian Fulton and safety Derwin James lead one of league’s top secondaries. But not only must this group contend with covering tight end Mark Andrews and Baltimore’s budding star wideout Zay Flowers on Monday, they also need to keep an eye peeled for Lamar Jackson and his running. Likewise, Bosa and Mack, need to maintain discipline with their rush lanes. Being slowed by their respective injuries might, oddly enough, benefit the two Chargers ends in terms of keeping Jackson in the pocket.
When the Ravens win, their running game dominates. RB Derrick Henry leads the NFL in rushing, and he, along with Jackson, will be the focus of a solid Chargers run defense. But L.A. has not faced a ground game with as much thump as the Ravens, who will wear down the Chargers’ defense to steal a key road win.
And older bro John ups his record against Jim to 3-0.
PICK: Baltimore 27, L.A. Chargers 23
Key matchups
WR Zay Flowers (BAL) vs. CB Kristian Fulton (LAR)
NB Marlon Humphrey (BAL) vs. WR Ladd McConkey (LAR)
T Ronnie Stanley (BAL) vs. Edge rusher Khalil Mack (LAR)
