Baltimore Ravens (7-4) are set to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) this coming Monday at 8:15 p.m. EST, which will be broadcast live on ESPN/ABC. Currently, BetMGM has the Ravens favored by three points in the matchup, with Baltimore holding a record of 5-5-1 against the spread compared to the Chargers’ 7-3. Historically, the Ravens have the upper hand in their series against the Chargers, leading 9-5, and they last met on November 26, 2023, when Baltimore emerged victorious with a score of 20-10.
In their previous matches, the Ravens experienced a narrow defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, finishing 18-16. Conversely, the Chargers came away with a win, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-27. Analyzing their performance this season, the Ravens’ offense ranks exceptionally, sitting first overall, second in rushing, and third in passing and scoring, while their defense is ranked third overall but has faced struggles against the run, sitting at 26. The Chargers find themselves in the middle of the pack offensively, ranking 18th overall, but have a stronger defense at 11th.
A player to watch for the Ravens is kicker Justin Tucker, who faced criticism after missing two field goals last week. He has missed a total of six field goal attempts this season and has notably struggled on kicks over 50 yards. For the Chargers, rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is a standout after registering 123 yards on six receptions against Cincinnati, making crucial plays that contributed to the Chargers’ win.
A key matchup to keep an eye on will be between Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins and the Ravens’ run defense. Dobbins, previously showing promise in Baltimore before injuries set him back, is now thriving in Los Angeles with 726 yards and eight touchdowns in just ten games. With the Ravens’ defense averaging only 77.5 rushing yards allowed per game, maintaining strong tackling and getting off the field will be crucial to counteract Dobbins’ momentum.
In terms of injuries, the Ravens could face significant challenges. Linebacker Roquan Smith is dealing with a hamstring injury, having exited last week’s match, while safety Kyle Hamilton is managing an ankle issue, though he did play against the Steelers. The Chargers, meanwhile, might miss outside linebacker Khalil Mack due to a groin injury, which would significantly lessen their ability to manage the dynamic Ravens offense.
The Ravens have enjoyed a successful run recently, winning four consecutive regular-season games against the Chargers. However, Los Angeles previously knocked Baltimore out in the AFC wild-card round in January 2019. Baltimore recorded a dominant 34-6 victory in its first visit to SoFi Stadium in October 2021.
In player statistics, Ravens running back Derrick Henry leads the league with 1,185 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns, while his rushing prowess has played a crucial role in the Ravens’ offensive strategy. Quarterback Lamar Jackson will be looking to extend his “Monday Night Football” success, sporting a 6-2 record with 20 touchdown passes and no interceptions. Dobbins has also found his groove with multiple touchdowns in two of his last three games.
On the Chargers’ side, linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu has been making a name for himself, recently notching 1.5 sacks against the Bengals and has maintained impressive consistency in his past few matches. Despite high expectations, the Chargers’ defense allowed 27 points to Cincinnati last week, their highest of the season. Quarterback Justin Herbert has shown resilience, with only one interception this season, though the team hasn’t secured a turnover in their last two outings.
For fantasy players, Herbert’s recent performances suggest he is worth starting as he’s been throwing multiple touchdown passes consistently in recent weeks. With the Ravens allowing a hefty number of passing touchdowns, Herbert could be poised to add to his tally in a high-scoring matchup.