Monday night’s Chargers vs. Ravens matchup has all the makings of an instant classic. NFL coaching titans Jim and John Harbaugh are facing off for the first time since Super Bowl XLVII. After losing to his brother on the biggest stage,
Jim left the NFL to coach his alma mater, the Michigan Wolverines. After a long rebuild and a National Championship later, Jim is back in the NFL, this time attempting to break the curse that was placed on the Chargers years ago. Now, he faces his biggest test, against his older brother once more. This is the closest the NFL world has gotten to a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII.
When Jim left the 49ers, many of his best players left that same offseason. For that reason, any time the Niners and Ravens faced off after that, it was like a different team. Now, Jim has his name written all over the Chargers. They’re running the ball half of the time, former Niner NaVorro Bowman is coaching the linebackers, and many are comparing Justin Herbert’s play this year to prime Colin Kaepernick. Of course, there are many differences between Jim’s Chargers and his 49ers, but this will still be a classic HarBowl nonetheless.
The Chargers are filled with former Ravens. Most notably, this RB room was poached from Baltimore last year, with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards being longtime teammates under John Harbaugh. Center Bradley Bozeman began his career in Baltimore, and TE Hayden Hurst will watch from the sidelines as the Chargers take on the team that drafted him. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman spent time with the Ravens after Jim left the 49ers, and DC Jesse Minter was on the defensive staff before Jim brought him to Ann Arbor. These Chargers have Ravens roots all over the place and will play the Ravens as if they’re a division opponent.
The first matchup to bring up is the quarterbacks. While they’re never on the field at the same time, Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson are two of the best quarterbacks in the world. They’re both playing MVP-caliber football, even if Lamar will run away with the award. The QBs’ play will ultimately decide this game. Both can make big plays in the air or on the ground now that Justin Herbert has opened up his legs. With how strong they have both been, 10 and 8 will be the biggest factors in this game, whether for better or for worse.
Justin Herbert needs to power his offense to a strong outing against a mediocre Ravens defensive unit. JK Dobbins and the run game will have trouble getting it going against the Baltimore frontline, so Herbert will likely air it to his weapons. Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have been playing their best football all season, so expect them to get a few big plays down the stretch. TE Will Dissly has also had a career year and has been Herbert’s go-to when he needs a few yards.
The most important part of the passing game on Monday is the Ravens’ secondary. Baltimore’s secondary has been one of the worst units in the league, which could be the key to LA’s success. Kyle Hamilton has been elite, but outside of him and Marlin Humphrey, there’s nobody back there to stop the Chargers’ pass-catchers. The only X-Factor to watch is former Bills CB Tre’Davious White. White just got to Baltimore a month ago and hasn’t played much. However, when he has gotten in, he’s been productive. White will be the most important player to watch for Baltimore, as the Chargers don’t have much film on him this season.
The Baltimore offense will be the best group the Chargers have faced yet. The Chargers arguably have the top defense in the league, and they face their biggest challenge of the season with the Ravens. Lamar Jackson is a threat in all senses of the word. More importantly, Derrick Henry will make a big play or two at some point in this game. Teair Tart and Poona Ford have played great this season, but they haven’t gone up against the league’s leading rusher yet. It’s possible that this isn’t the case, but it feels like the Chargers’ run defense is a group waiting to have a bad game against a guy like Derrick Henry. Even if Derrick Henry has a good game, it doesn’t mean the Chargers will lose. Lamar’s receivers will be up against some great corners all night.
Kristian Fulton, Cam Hart (who is questionable), and Tarheeb Still have been great every time they’ve stepped on the field. It’ll be interesting to see who gets what matchup. The biggest question mark on this Ravens offense is deadline acquisition Diontae Johnson. The former Panther only got into the offense last week, so no one truly knows how he will do with more practices under his belt. This game will be a shootout and these teams have everything necessary for one of the best games of the year.