Ravens topple Chargers in Harbaugh brothers reunion

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh remained undefeated in the NFL’s historic sibling rivalry, beating his brother Jim’s Los Angeles Chargers 30-23. He held the upper hand over Jim with some gutsy calls and another dominant effort by quarterback Lamar Jackson on Monday night.

John Harbaugh improved to 3-0 against his younger brother, in part because Baltimore was 3-for-3 on fourth-down conversions — all extending drives that resulted in touchdowns. This marked the first time that John and Jim had met as opposing head coaches since Super Bowl XLVII 11 years ago.

Jackson totaled three scores, ran for one touchdown and threw touchdown passes of 40 and 6 yards. In nine “Monday Night Football” games, Jackson has recorded 22 touchdown passes and no interceptions – the most consecutive touchdown passes without an interception in “Monday Night Football” history.

The Ravens (8-4) moved within a half game of the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) for first place in the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

Promising trend: Running back Derrick Henry continues to show that Baltimore has success feeding him the ball. The Ravens are now 9-1 when Henry gets 15 or more carries. Henry gained 140 yards on 24 carries to become the second player to record over 100 yards rushing against the Chargers. But this marked the first time in 12 games that Henry failed to reach the end zone. He was just shy of tying Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson, Jerry Rice and John Riggins for the third-longest single-season touchdown streak in NFL history.

Notable Stats: The Ravens came through on a big gamble with 2 minutes left in the first half when tight end Mark Andrews took a direct snap and pushed forward to convert a fourth-and-1 at Baltimore’s 16-yard line. According to ESPN Research, no team had converted a fourth down this deep in their own territory in the first half since the Rams in 2012, who did so on a fake punt. Four plays later, Jackson went deep and connected with Rashod Bateman for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens their first lead at 14–10. The 2012 Rams made that conversion against Jim Harbaugh’s San Francisco 49ers.

Describe the game in two words: Never panic. Trailing 10-0 early in the second quarter, Jackson led Baltimore to scores on five straight drives, reaching the end zone four times. This was against a Chargers defense that ranked No. 1 in fewest points allowed (14.5) and had not allowed a team to score 30 points this season. The Ravens’ four wins after trailing by 10 this season are the most by any team in a full season since 2000. — Jamison Hensley

Next game: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)

Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)

As the Chargers jumped out to a 7-3 start this season, their inexperienced receiving corps became something of an afterthought. Maligned rookie first-round receiver Quentin Johnston appeared to have found his footing, leading the team with six touchdowns. Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey emerged as Justin Herbert’s top target and one of the league’s top rookies. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer had been a consistent safety valve for Herbert, making big catches on key cuts.

But on Monday night, that changed. With the Chargers down seven and at their 34-yard line, Herbert found a wide open Johnston who ran across the field, but Johnston dropped the ball.

On the next drive, Ravens running back Justice Hill scored a 51-yard touchdown which effectively ended the game. It was a finish that last season’s Chargers had become accustomed to but had been absent through the first 10 games of this season.

Disturbing trend: The Chargers continue to struggle to score in the second half. They entered Monday night averaging 8.2 points in the second half, third lowest in the NFL. Those struggles continued as the Ravens outscored them 16–3 in the second half before a late score by running back Gus Edwards with 46 seconds left. “It’s just something we’re chasing,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman has said of second-half plays.

Hole in game plan: Stops the run. The Chargers gave up 212 rushing yards, the most they have given up in a game this season. It was the first time in Jim Harbaugh’s NFL head coaching career that his team has given up 200 rushing yards in a game.

Prediction for next week: Edwards has his first 100 plus yard rushing game. Running back JK Dobbins has been the star of the Chargers backfield this season, but left Monday’s game with a left knee injury. If Dobbins misses time, it paves the way for Edwards to bring the bulk of the Chargers against the Atlanta Falcons. — Kris Rhim

Next game: at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)