The Ravens survived 20-10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
Late in the fourth quarter, Ravens rookie wideout Zay Flowers took an end around 37-yards to the house for the game-sealing touchdown.
The Ravens produced 197 rushing yards against the Chargers, who dropped to 4-7 on the season. Los Angeles has now lost three straight games.
Baltimore was led by its defense. The Ravens defense had four takeaways on the night, including three forced fumbles.
Zay Flowers: Flowers, the Ravens’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, had his best game as a pro so far. Flowers — who entered Sunday night’s game with one touchdown — scored both of Baltimore’s touchdowns.
His second score, a 37-yard touchdown run on an end-around play, sealed the victory. Afterward, Flowers mimicked a soccer penalty kick — with Odell Beckham Jr. playing the role of goalkeeper — as his celebration.
Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, had a vintage performance in his best game with the Ravens. Clowney was involved in causing two fumbles, including one on a strip sack that he recovered.
In all, the Ravens defense forced four turnovers, three fumbles and an interception.
In the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Boise State used a hook-and-ladder play and Statue of Liberty play to upset Oklahoma. Moore, the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, played quarterback at Boise State from 2008-2011, and captured some of that era of Boise State’s extemporaneous spirit during the third quarter.
Keenan Allen caught a short pass from Justin Herbert, and then lateralled the ball to Austin Ekeler for a 17-yard gain. It was a rare moment of merriment from an otherwise lackluster and forgettable Chargers performance Sunday night.
With the win, the Ravens enter their bye week with the best record in the conference (9-3), sitting a half game ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins. Baltimore will return to action on Dec.
10 fresh from a week off and ready for a five-game push against worthy opponents with for home-field advantage in the playoffs as the goal. Four of the Ravens’ last five oppoents — the Jaguars, 49ers, Dolphins and Steelers — would be in the playoffs if the season ended today (which it doesn’t).
No NFL team does painful defeats like the Chargers, so much so it’s their brand. Something bad seemingly always happens to this team, typically at the most inopportune time.
Enter Sunday’s game as further evidence. After cutting into the Ravens’ lead with a touchdown — and gifted an extremely rare Justin Tucker missed field goal inside 50 yards — the Chargers Chargered.
They couldn’t muster a game-tying field goal. Instead, Justin Herbert got called for intentional grounding on fourth-and-6. Shortly thereafter, Zay Flowers scored the touchdown that put the game away.
: With yet another painful defeat, one has to wonder just how much longer Staley will be the Chargers’ head coach. The Chargers fell to 4-7 on the season, sit in last place in the AFC West and are well out of playoff contention. — Jim Reineking
