It’s the week we’ve been waiting for! Los Angeles Chargers vs Baltimore Ravens; John Harbaugh vs Jim Harbaugh, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards vs their former team. This is going to be a good one for Monday night prime time. Here are how the Los Angeles Chargers can pull out another win to add to their streak:
1. Improve the Receiver Coverage
Last week I talked about the need for double receiver coverage in the deep part of the field as Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins got a 42-yard touchdown with cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor in coverage. This week, a similar thing happened on a deep shot to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, where he hauled in a pass for a 42-yard touchdown during the third quarter, this time with Taylor as well as cornerback Elijah Molden in coverage.
Clearly, the Chargers still need help in this deep part of the field and with receiver coverage in general, and this is where cornerbacks Cam Hart if he’s out of concussion protocol, and Kristian Fulton, as well as safeties Alohi Gilman and Derwin James Jr. can really be of use. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is a deep threat that the Chargers need to make sure is covered while also watching out for other Ravens weapons like tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews and wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
Because every game shouldn’t feel like Groundhog Day with busted coverage.
2. Keep Airing the Ball Out
According to Fox Sports, the Ravens rank second in rushing defense and last in passing defense, so though running back Dobbins has been that guy this season, in this game the Chargers may have to lean more toward the pass, which works as their receiving core has been performing well.
Tight end Will Dissly has become not only the blocker the Chargers needed but also the third receiver option, while Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey have displayed offensive heroics throughout the season.
Quarterback Justin Herbert’s passing may have not been as accurate in the second half on Sunday but he was golden during the first. And if he can keep that up throughout the game, the Chargers should be okay, even with the likes of high-powered Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey in coverage. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is also one to watch here.
3. Don’t Let Derrick Henry Break Through
Though Bengals running back Chase Brown only had 86 rushing yards, he had four first downs, including one particular run where he broke some tackles, rushing up the middle and out to the sideline, for a 27-yard gain to get inside the 20 during the third quarter.
Ravens running back Henry has been having a great year and is one of the reasons that the Ravens rank second in rushing offense, so the Chargers have to do a good job of shutting him down. Linebacker Daiyan Henley, despite not being able to tackle Brown during that 27-yard run, has been an absolute monster this season, especially in the run defense department, so having him as well as safety James on Henry is key. It’s just one of those games where it can get really out of hand if Henry is having a good day.
4. Contain Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is another reason the Ravens are doing so well in rushing offense as he currently has the second most rushing yards of the team behind Henry (584). The Chargers need to dial up the pass rush on Jackson and make sure this is a multi-sack game.
Outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu has emerged once again this season as one of those pass rushers to count on with two sacks on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during this last matchup, while defensive lineman Poona Ford is on pace to have a career-high in sacks if he can get another this next game. Since outside linebacker Joey Bosa has been back from injury, he’s making his presence known, so he’ll be a big help for this matchup as will outside linebacker Khalil Mack if he’s healthy enough to play. The Chargers have the pieces to really make Jackson’s life miserable, so let’s just hope everyone is healthy enough to keep executing.
5. Chargers Offensive Line Remains Strong
Despite the Ravens having a good rushing defense, with players like Ravens safety Hamilton excelling in this area, we may still see some Herbert scrambles, because, besides a fumble against the Bengals, the extra yardage he can gain on the run has been a gamechanger for the Chargers. And with all the passing he’s been doing plus the scrambling, having that offensive line continue holding up will be key.
The line has been doing well in the last couple of weeks as Herbert only suffered one sack against the Bengals on Sunday and few quarterback pressures. The whole crew deserves a shoutout but especially right tackle Joe Alt, right guard Trey Pipkins III, players like running back Dobbins, and left tackle Rashawn Slater. And though the one sack on Herbert was attributed to left guard Zion Johnson‘s lack of coverage, he and center Bradley Bozeman have stepped up, so it’ll be crucial that this line keeps up the momentum, even against a passing defense that has been a little lackluster.