After suffering a tough loss in Pittsburgh last week, the Baltimore Ravens head west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. The two clubs are solidly entrenched in the AFC playoff picture, but a win Monday will go a long way toward helping to stay there with a head-to-head tiebreaker in hand. The electric Ravens offense was slowed some last week in an 18-16 loss to the Steelers, with Derrick Henry held to just 65 yards and Lamar Jackson having his worst passing day of the season. They may be able to get back on track against a Chargers defense that allowed 452 yards to the Bengals last week — much of that as part of a second-half comeback that fell just short.
Los Angeles is looking to build off that close win, in which they blew a 21-point lead only to score a late touchdown and survive. Justin Herbert threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns last week, while rookie receiver Ladd McConkey had his second 100-yard game in the NFL and could figure to be a top target again this week. Star pass rusher Khalil Mack, who missed last week’s game with a groin injury, was listed as questionable heading into Week 12.
Also, with Jim Harbaugh back on an NFL sideline this year, he’ll meet his brother John for the first time on opposing sidelines since the Ravens beat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, Calif.
TV Channel: ESPN, ESPN2 (ManningCast)
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Live9 updates
Chargers punt after drive stalls
The Chargers did not score on their second drive. They converted a third-and-13 deep in their own territory, but punted after failing to convert on third-and-5 before reaching midfield.
Penalty stalls Ravens’ opening drive
The Ravens were driving on their opening possession before a penalty stalled it out. A leg whip called on fullback Patrick Ricard negated a 17-yard gain to the Chargers’ 43-yard line. Instead of first-and-10 in Chargers territory, the Ravens faced first-and-25 in their own, and they didn’t gain another first down before punting.
The penalty was borderline at best:
Chargers strike first with precision opening drive
Jim Harbaugh couldn’t have asked for a better start. The Chargers ran a nine-play, 70-yard drive on their first possession that ended with a Justin Herbert touchdown run on a scramble on second-and-goal. Seven runs, two passes and no third downs, and the Chargers have an early 7-0 lead.
Game on: Chargers have the ball first
The Chargers received the opening kickoff, and will start the game on offense after a touchback. “Monday Night Football” is underway.
John Harbaugh on coaching against Jim
Ravens coach John Harbaugh spoke with ESPN about coaching against his brother.
“He’s a great coach, he’s a great man, a great leader. And he’s got a great football team. So that makes it complicated.”
Jim Harbaugh: ‘I wouldn’t let [John] win a football game
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed coaching against his brother John in a sideline interview with ESPN just before kickoff:
“I love my brother,” Harbaugh said. “I’d lay down my life for my brother. But I wouldn’t let him win a football game. And he wouldn’t want it that way.”
Harbaugh brothers meet pregame
It’s all hugs between John and Jim Harbaugh for their pregame meeting during warmups.
Chargers inactives are in
Chargers inactives are in with no surprises of note.
Ravens inactives: Roquan Smith is out vs. Chargers
Ravens inactives are in, and Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Ravens will take on a rejuvenated Chargers offense without their leading tackler.
