Here’s how the Ravens (8-4) graded out at every position after beating the Chargers (7-4), 30-23, on Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California:
Quarterbacks
There was nothing magical about Lamar Jackson’s performance, but he managed the game well and made plays several times when pressured. Jackson completed 16 of 22 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He started slowly and overthrew some receivers early, but overall he controlled the tempo of the game. Jackson finished with a passer rating of 126.5 and also had a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Grade: C+
Running backs
As expected, the Ravens pounded the Chargers with running back Derrick Henry, who had 140 yards on 24 carries. Henry was successful with several cutback runs, and he was also strong running off tackle on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Backup Justice Hill added 55 yards on four carries, with most of those coming on a back-breaking 51-yard touchdown run around the left end in the fourth quarter. Grade: BOffensive line
The Chargers were expected to challenge offensive tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten off the edge with outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, but they caused few problems. When they did get pressure, Jackson avoided it well. Right guard Daniel Faalele did a nice job of pulling and getting seal blocks, but left guard Patrick Mekari is still drawing too many penalties. It’s unlikely the Ravens will make any changes with Mekari, but those holding penalties are becoming more costly and will hurt in the postseason. The Ravens had 212 rushing yards. Grade: B
Receivers
The Ravens didn’t need much from this group, but they did get a couple of big plays from tight end Mark Andrews. He had five catches for 44 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter. Rashod Bateman also had a 40-yard touchdown reception in the second. That catch showed great concentration by Bateman, who was closely covered by Kristian Fulton but the cornerback failed to turn and make a play on the ball and was called for pass interference. Slot receiver Zay Flowers had five catches for 62 yards. Overall, it’s usually a good day for the Ravens when their receivers don’t have to dominate and control the flow of the game. Grade: C
Defensive line
It would have been interesting to see what the Chargers would have done if running back J.K. Dobbins played the second half, but he left the game late in the first with a knee injury after rushing for 40 yards on six carries. The Chargers had success running at the Ravens with Dobbins, but they became too one-dimensional after he exited. Once the Ravens took the lead, they simply overpowered the Chargers’ offensive line, which was guilty of several holding penalties. Los Angeles finished with only 83 rushing yards. Defensive tackle Travis Jones finished with three tackles. Grade: B
Linebackers
The Ravens got a strong game from Malik Harrison, who was filling in for injured starting inside linebacker Roquan Smith. Harrison started slow but became more dominant after the first quarter. He finished with 13 tackles, including one for a loss. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh were starting to get consistent pressure on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The Ravens finished with four sacks and seven pressures, and Oweh and Van Noy had one sack each. Grade: B+
Secondary
It’s tough to figure this group out. While it has held its own for two straight weeks, both opponents, the Chargers and the Steelers, are lacking talent at the wide receiver position. The Chargers dropped several passes Monday night, but cornerback Marlon Humphrey played well in coverage despite missing some tackles early. Overall, there has been improvement from the back end, but the Chargers attacked down the middle of the field early. As usual, safety Kyle Hamilton had a strong game and fellow safety Ar’Darius Washington keeps getting better. He finished with four tackles while cornerback Nate Wiggins had six and knocked down two passes. It will be interesting to see how much this group progresses. The Ravens, though, are good at holding. Grade: C+
Special teams
When the offense struggled on their first two possessions of the game, punter Jordon Stout bailed them out. He finished the game by averaging 54.3 yards on three punts, including a 62-yarder. Kicker Justin Tucker made a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter, but the Ravens, including running back Keaton Mitchell, still seem confused about when to return kickoffs. They need to improve their coverage units, too, after allowing one kickoff return of 46 yards and a punt return of 19 yards. Grade: C
Coaching
Good call by coach John Harbaugh to gamble on fourth down late in the second quarter at his own 16. Harbaugh won on all three fourth-down attempts, but it was more of a statement about the Chargers and how soft they are on defense than the Ravens’ explosive offense. Offensively, the Ravens were balanced and the defense was more aggressive and gave the Chargers several new looks. Baltimore was far from dominant, but it controlled the pace of the game after the first quarter. Grade: B
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