Instead of a shootout between star QBs, Ravens run over Chargers, push win streak to five
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens hosted the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in a matchup featuring two of the AFC’s hottest teams, and two of the NFL’s brightest young stars in quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert.
On paper, the game had the makings of a highly entertaining shootout. Instead, Baltimore dominated in all phases, dealing its guests a stunning 34-6 blowout.
The Ravens extended their win streak to five games and at 5-1, added to their lead in the AFC North. Meanwhile, the Chargers saw their three-game win streak snapped and their lead in the AFC West diminished.
For once, the Ravens didn’t need a superhuman performance from Jackson to earn a victory. A game after delivering a 400-yard passing performance to direct a comeback win over Indianapolis, the quarterback passed for a modest 167 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions (one of his own doing as he threw the ball right to linebacker Kyzir White over the middle, and a second when wide receiver Rashod Bateman dropped a pass and White made a diving catch a midfield).
Jackson also rushed for 51 yards on eight carries. With the game in hand, he didn’t even play the final 2 1/2 minutes, turning things over to backup Tyler Huntley.
Baltimore was fueled by a punishing and diverse rushing attack. In addition to Jackson's 51 yards, Devonta Freeman added 53 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, Latavius Murray added 44 yards and a touchdown on nine carries and Le'Veon Bell rushed for a touchdown and 17 yards on 17 attempts. In all, Baltimore racked up 187 rushing yards -- the team’s second-highest total of the season -- while finishing with 327 total yards on offense.
Meanwhile, the Ravens' defense flustered Herbert and the Chargers early and often. A week after scoring 47 points in a win over Cleveland, Los Angeles managed just one touchdown -- a one-yard toss from Herbert to tight end Jared Cook -- and kicker Tristan Vizcaino missed the extra-point attempt, ending the drive in a fizzle.
The Chargers converted just 3-of-12 third-down attempts and failed on two fourth-down attempts while averaging just 3.9 yards per play. Herbert completed 22-of-39 passes for 195 yards, a touchdown and interception. The Chargers managed only 26 rushing yards.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens run over Chargers, 34-6, push winning streak to five games
