los angeles chargers' reasons for optimism vs. Ravens...

The Chargers return to primetime on Sunday night against the Ravens, pitting two teams going in opposite directions in the AFC playoff race.

Here are four reasons to be optimistic about Los Angeles getting themselves back in the hunt.

Despite two straight losses to the Lions and Packers, Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense has continued to simmer. Herbert has arguably had two of his best games of the season in the past two weeks, setting up a heavyweight duel between him and Lamar Jackson, one of the league’s MVP favorites.

What’s been most impressive about this stretch from Herbert is how he’s done it without getting much help from his surroundings.

Austin Ekeler had his most effective day of the season last week but fumbled a red zone opportunity. Keenan Allen is dealing with an AC joint sprain and dropped a touchdown.

Gerald Everett has been in and out of the lineup. Preseason WR4 Quentin Johnston has been thrust into the WR2 role. Nevertheless, Herbert has persisted, keeping the Chargers in games they have no business competing in.

The national media will have you believe that Herbert doesn’t have what it takes to be a winner in this league. But watch the games, and you’ll see a quarterback playing as high of a level as anybody in the NFL over the past few weeks. That alone could keep Los Angeles afloat on Sunday.

Few teams in the league have dealt with as many injuries as the Chargers in recent years. But one of those teams is the Ravens, who led the league in number of players on injured reserve a season ago and are dealing with several key injuries heading into Sunday’s contest.

Baltimore has been without left tackle Ronnie Stanley and cornerback Marlon Humphrey for multiple weeks, forcing Patrick Mekari and Ronald Darby into more prominent roles. Stanley appears to be on track to return this week after logging a full practice on Thursday, but Humphrey’s status is more questionable.

The Ravens also lost Mark Andrews to an ankle injury last week, with John Harbaugh calling the injury likely season-ending. Four of Baltimore’s top five receivers are also on this week’s injury report:

Rashod Bateman has been limited with a foot issue, Odell Beckham Jr. picked up a shoulder injury last week, Zay Flowers did not practice Thursday with a hip injury, and Devin Duvernay is dealing with a knee problem.

Los Angeles is dealing with many injuries in their own right, but Baltimore missing multiple contributors on Sunday could push the needle more in the Chargers’ direction.