The Baltimore Ravens’ defense so dominated the Los Angeles Chargers in their 20-10 road win in Week 12 that it sent quarterback Justin Herbert in a time machine to his second career start in Week 3 of the 2020 season. On Sunday night, Los Angeles committed four turnovers – an interception and a lost fumble by Herbert, as well as lost fumbles by Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler. That gave the Chargers their first four-turnover game since Herbert’s second start, a 21-16 home loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens sit atop the AFC standings at 9-3 heading into Week 13.
The four turnovers occurred over a period of five drives spread over the second, third and fourth quarters. Los Angeles received lost fumble (by Allen), lost fumble (by Ekeler), interception, punt and lost fumble (by Herbert on a strip sack). However, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens only scored three points on four turnovers.
The Chargers took an early lead on their first drive of the night, but the possession stalled deep in Ravens territory after an apparent late out-of-bounds strike against Justin Herbert was disallowed and instead tight end Gerald Everett was stopped in retaliation against a defender Baltimore. After Cameron Dicker’s field goal, the Chargers managed just 38 yards of offense on 14 plays over the remainder of the first half.
Baltimore picked up a decent number of yards in the first half and Lamar Jackson threw the ball relatively efficiently (12 of 18 for 115 yards and a touchdown), but the Ravens also only managed to score once on their first three possessions. At the end of a strong drive, Jackson found rookie wideout Zay Flowers from three yards out in the back of the end zone, giving the team its first lead of the night. The 2019 NFL MVP finished the game with 177 passing yards and a touchdown on 18 of 32 passes while also rushing for 39 yards on 11 carries.
Then, after an Allen fumble late in the second quarter, the Ravens got back on the board. The fumble gave them great field position, and although the drive didn’t go very far, Justin Tucker was able to add to Baltimore’s tally from 42 yards out. The Chargers had another chance to score a game-winning score, but Ekeler failed on a checkdown. Another Tucker field goal, this one 48 minutes into the game, was the only score in the third quarter. That kick extended Baltimore’s lead to 13-3 with 10:53 remaining in the third quarter.
Herbert opened the scoring in the final frame with a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gerald Everett, capping a seven-play, 60-yard march to the end zone. Suddenly, Los Angeles was within three minutes with just 8:32 left in the game. Then something else happened that the NFL world almost never sees: Tucker missed his first 50-yard field goal of 2023 when he missed wide left on a 44-yard attempt with 2:57 left in the game game. That miss opened the door for Herbert and the Chargers to at least tie the game and force overtime.
After getting to the Ravens’ 46, the Chargers couldn’t go any further. A hard hit from Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen dislodged a pass from Ekeler’s arms and forced an incompletion, and a blitz from cornerback Arthur Maulet on fourth-and-six was enough for Maulet to slam Herbert as he released the football, causing it to bounce harmless to the SoFi Stadium turf. Herbert finished the game with 217 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception on 29 of 44 passes while leading the Chargers with 47 rushing yards on four carries.
Flowers put the exclamation point on Baltimore’s win, scoring a shotgun handoff 37 yards for a touchdown that gave the Ravens a 20-10 lead with 1:36 left. Flowers, who had 62 total yards from scrimmage (25 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches as well as the 37-yard rushing touchdown), was responsible for both Ravens touchdowns on “Sunday Night Football.”
Why the Ravens won
Any team that wins the turnover battle 4-0 is sure to emerge victorious. That’s exactly what happened. Jackson played turnover-free football, and that was pretty much all Baltimore needed from him tonight. It was more than enough that Flowers became the first Ravens rookie to score a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game.
Why the Chargers lost
The Chargers did what they are most known for: They came up just short. Los Angeles had a chance to tie the game or take the lead after a rare missed field goal by Tucker gave them the ball with just under three minutes left, but Herbert was unable to connect with his receivers as he needed it most. That pretty much sums up the Chargers’ season.
Turning point
Maulet’s lightning attack and Herbert’s goal on fourth and sixth, just after the two-minute warning, nearly erased the victory. He also made Herbert’s only interception early in the fourth quarter, but that play officially turned the game in the Ravens’ favor.
Game play
The most explosive score of the night was Flowers’ 37-yard rushing touchdown that sealed Baltimore’s victory. In a game largely lacking in offense, Flowers shined brightly, accounting for both of the Ravens’ touchdowns.
What’s next
The AFC North-leading 9-3 Ravens return home for their Week 13 bye. The 4-7 Chargers take a cross-country road trip in Week 13, traveling to New England to play the 2-9 Patriots.