John Harbaugh’s Ravens run over Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers in the latest fraternal battle

On By Littum

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) scores a rushing touchdown past Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Elijah Molden (22) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sol)

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) put away a 51-yard touchdown run against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Jim Harbaugh still hasn’t beaten his big brother.

The third HarBowl between John Harbaugh and his brother Jim went to John again. The Baltimore Ravens fell behind by 10 points early, but then overwhelmed the Los Angeles Chargers the rest of the way. The Ravens went on to a 30-23 win, with Lamar Jackson throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another.

The Harbaughs coached against each other twice when Jim was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and John won both meetings, including Super Bowl XLVII. Monday’s result wasn’t because John outcoached Jim, although John had some strong decisions, including going for it on a key fourth down from his own 16-yard line. The mismatch was more due to John Harbaugh having a much better roster to work with. The Ravens have some deficiencies, especially on defense, but they are still significantly ahead of the Chargers

Give Jim Harbaugh some time. He is doing well in his first season back in the NFL. The Chargers are 7-4 even with the loss and will likely clinch a wild card playoff berth. And maybe soon he can get another rematch against his brother and maybe win against him.

One of the bolder coaching decisions of the NFL season paid off big for the Ravens late in the first half.

At their own 16-yard line, the Ravens acted like they were going to go for it just before the two-minute warning, trying to draw the Chargers offside. It didn’t work, so it looked like they would strike after the two-minute warning. But the offense got on the field, tight end Mark Andrews took a snap and snuck it in front for the first down. That gave the Ravens’ offense some life, and the drive ended with Rashod Bateman’s 40-yard touchdown catch. That gave the Ravens a 14-10 halftime lead after trailing 10-0 early in the game.

The Chargers executed a very nice 24-second drive to end the half and picked up 36 yards to set up a 52-yard field goal as the second quarter expired. The Chargers trailed 14-13 at halftime.

The defense kept every offense out of the end zone in the third quarter. The Ravens lead was 17-16 entering the fourth quarter. It was a well-coached match between two good teams. As expected.

The Ravens extended their lead early in the fourth quarter with a nice leaping touchdown catch in the end zone by tight end Mark Andrews.

The Chargers might have answered, but there was a violent drop by 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston on a third-and-6. Johnston could have screwed up for a huge gain, but it went right through his hands and the Chargers punted.

It wasn’t a long Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry run that broke it up after that. It was Justice Hill who took a third-down handoff to the outside and found a seam for a 51-yard score. The Ravens led 30-16 after the big play and it would be very difficult for the Chargers to come back from it. A last-minute LA touchdown made the score look closer.

The Ravens have been an offensive machine in most games this season. The win moves the Ravens to 8-4, just behind the 8-3 Steelers for first place in the AFC North. At their best, the Ravens are a Super Bowl contender with MVP candidate Lamar Jackson leading the way. The Ravens are also superbly coached. So are the chargers. Jim Harbaugh just needs a little more time to get his team to the same position John has his.

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  • The Ravens secured a 30-23 victory

    This one is over. The Chargers failed to recover the onside kick and the Ravens take over with 43 seconds left. They can run out the clock on a decisive 30-23 victory.

    This was a nail biter through the first half, but the Ravens imposed their will in the second. Aggression from Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and execution of Baltimore’s running game resulted in three successful fourth down conversions on three attempts. The turnovers ultimately resulted in two Ravens touchdowns.

    John Harbaugh improves to 3-0 in games against his brother Jim. The Ravens improve to 8-4, while the Chargers fall to 7-4. Both teams remain on the right side of the AFC playoff picture.

  • Chargers stay alive with late touchdown

    The chargers are still in this. A pair of pass interference penalties kept a drive alive that ended with a Gus Edwards touchdown run. The score cut Baltimore’s lead to 30-23 with 46 seconds left. This one will come down to an onside kick.

  • It’s not over yet

    The Chargers came up with a stop and forced the Ravens to punt with 3:08 left in regulation. But they need a miracle, trailing 30-16 with one timeout remaining.

  • Pass interference flag intercepted to end Chargers drive

    Officials initially flagged this play for pass interference on the Chargers’ failed third-and-18 attempt. But they took up the flag after consultation. Was it the right no-call?

  • Wheels fall off for chargers

    The Ravens continue to dominate the second half. A 3rd-and-18 deep ball by Justin Herbert hits the turf and the Chargers are forced to punt after gaining seven yards on three plays. Another sack shorted out the drive.

    Baltimore has control of the ball and a 30-16 lead with 6:31 left.

  • Also check out these Derrick Henry Stiff Arms

    Derrick Henry helped set up the Hill touchdown with some classic Derrick Henry stiff arms.

  • Ravens in control, take 30-16 lead on Justice Hill run

    The second half continues to be all Ravens. Baltimore opened the game on a 51-yard touchdown run by Justice Hill. The Ravens ran a move that confused the Chargers defense and Hill rumbled down the left sideline to score.

    The career-long run by Hill extends Baltimore’s lead to 30-16 with 7:24 left.

  • Chargers punt after Quentin Johnston dropped on 3rd down

    Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston had a third-and-6 catch in his hands and open field in front of him for a potential big gain. But he couldn’t stand it. Johnston dropped the pass from Justin Herbert and the Chargers were forced to punt thanks to the critical fumble at a crucial time in the game.

    Baltimore takes possession with a 23-16 lead and 10:45 left.

  • JK Dobbins is out

    Chargers running back JK Dobbins has now been ruled out with a knee injury. It’s Gus Edwards as the bell ringer the rest of the way to Los Angeles.

  • Ravens pay 4th-down gambles with TD

    The Ravens have now converted three fourth-down conversions into two touchdowns. Baltimore went for it twice on fourth-and-1 and converted each time on their final drive, capping it off with a touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews in the back of the end zone.

    A two-point conversion fails and the Ravens extend their lead to 23-16 with 12:32 left in regulation. John Harbaugh is playing aggressively against his brother, and it’s paying off.

  • Ravens now 3 for 3 on 4th down

    Baltimore started the fourth quarter by going after it again on fourth-and-1 after converting twice on two previous attempts, including earlier in the same drive. So why not go for it again?

    Derrick Henry converts again with a 2-yard run to the Chargers’ 23-yard line.

  • Another 4th down conversion by the Ravens

    The Ravens went for it again on fourth-and-1, this time from their own 39. There was no doubt about this one. Derrick Henry rumbled 27 yards to pick up the first down and then some.

  • Cameron Dicker good again from 52 yards

    The Ravens and Chargers have traded field goals to start the second half. The Chargers answered Baltimore’s opening field-goal drive with a 10-play, 36-yard drive that ended with a 52-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker, his third field goal of the night and his second from 52 yards.

    Baltimore leads 17-16 with 4:08 left in the third quarter.

  • JK Dobbins still in the locker room, questionable with knee injury

    Chargers running back JK Dobbins has yet to join his teammates on the sideline after halftime, according to ESPN. Dobbins is officially questionable with a knee injury. Gus Edwards would take over the lead role if Dobbins cannot return.

  • Justin Tucker is good from 45 yards

    Justin Tucker has been uncharacteristically shaky this season with six missed field goals and one missed extra point. But he is true from 45 yards on Baltimore’s first drive of the second half (10 plays, 43 yards) to extend the Ravens’ lead to 17-13.

    Lamar Jackson completed passes on third-and-9 and third-and-10 to keep the field-goal drive alive.

  • The 2nd half is underway

    The Ravens start the second half with the ball and a 14-13 lead.

  • Ravens 14, Chargers 13: Key 1st half stats

    A well-played half by both teams sends the game into halftime with the Ravens leading 14-13. Here are the key stats for the first half:

    Justin Herbert: 13 of 18 for 129 yards; 3 carries for 17 yards and 1 touchdown; 0 turnover
    Lamar Jackson: 5 of 9 for 89 yards and 1 touchdown; 3 carries for 14 yards and 1 touchdown; 0 turnover

    JK Dobbins: 6 carries for 40 yards
    Derrick Henry: 9 carries for 66 yards

    Ladd McConkey: 3 catches for 41 yards
    Rashod Bateman: 1 catch for 40 yards and 1 touchdown

    Chargers Total Yards: 202 at 5.9 yards per carry. game
    Ravens total yards: 176 at 7.7 yards per carry. game

    Charger’s First Downs: 11
    Ravens first downs: 10

    Total combined revenue: 0

  • Chargers respond with FG before halftime

    John Harbaugh’s gamble did not go unanswered. The Chargers responded to Baltimore’s stunning touchdown drive with a four-play 22-yard drive in the final 24 seconds of the first half. Cameron Dicker pays off with a 52-yard field goal to cut Baltimore’s lead to 14-13 at halftime.

    So far, HarBowl is living up to its billing. Gutsy, aggressive play and strong execution from both teams.

  • Ravens gamble pays off in lead before halftime

    A big play pays off big for the Ravens. Instead of punting, Baltimore went for it and got it on fourth-and-1 from its own 16-yard line after the first half’s 2-minute warning. Five plays later, Lamar Jackson hit Rashod Bateman in a tight window for a 40-yard touchdown to take a 14–10 lead for Baltimore.

    John Harbaugh’s gamble pays off big against his little brother.

  • Ravens go for it inside their own 20

    The Ravens made a big roll, picking up a first down on fourth-and-1 from their own 16 at the 2-minute mark. A direct snap to tight end Mark Andrews results in a 2-yard gain and a first down, and the Ravens don’t give the ball back to the Chargers.