Monday Night Football Week 12

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NFL Futures: Monday Night Football Week 12

Monday Night Football brings a highly anticipated AFC showdown as the Jon Harbaugh-led Baltimore Ravens visit Southern California to face the Jim Harbaugh-led Los Angeles Chargers. 

The Ravens, sitting at 7-4, look to rebound after a narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, while the 7-3 Chargers aim to build on their dramatic win over the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM EST, with both teams eyeing critical victories in the playoff race. This game is also generating buzz in NFL Futures markets as both teams vie for top playoff seeds.

Baltimore Ravens Look to Rebound

The Ravens fell to 7-4 after a hard-fought 18-16 loss to the Steelers. Baltimore’s defense held Pittsburgh to six field goals and allowed zero touchdowns, but costly mistakes sealed their fate. The team committed three turnovers and 12 penalties, undermining their chances in a physical AFC North battle.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher, was limited to 65 yards but notched his league-leading 15th touchdown. Baltimore’s offense finished with 329 total yards, but critical penalties and miscues in the red zone proved costly.

The Ravens boast the NFL’s top-ranked offense, leading the league in rushing and ranking third in passing. They are also first in red zone efficiency and have allowed the third-fewest sacks this season. 

Defensively, Baltimore excels against the run, ranking first in the league, but their pass defense struggles, ranking last. They are fifth in quarterback pressures but rank last in penalties, a significant area for improvement.

Key injuries for the Ravens include cornerback Arthur Maulet, linebacker Roquan Smith, and safety Eddie Jackson, all listed as questionable. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce is out.

Chargers Riding Momentum into Prime Time

The Chargers improved to 7-3 after an impressive 34-27 victory over the Bengals, a game that solidified their position as playoff contenders. After jumping to a 24-6 halftime lead, the Chargers overcame a Bengals rally and sealed the win with a late touchdown run by J.K. Dobbins.

Justin Herbert led the Chargers with 297 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 65 rushing yards. While Herbert started strong, completing 9 of 10 passes early, the offense struggled in the second half before coming through in clutch moments. 

The Chargers totaled 435 yards of offense but converted just three of 11 third-down attempts. Defensively, Los Angeles allowed 452 yards but limited Cincinnati to two touchdowns in four red zone trips.

The Chargers rank 18th in both total offense and scoring offense, with their run game lagging at 20th. They are 11th in total defense and lead the league in scoring defense, allowing the fewest points per game. 

Despite their defensive accolades, the Chargers rank 23rd against the run and 12th against the pass. They are second in red zone defense and fourth in penalties, showcasing discipline in critical situations.

Los Angeles faces injury concerns, with linebacker Khalil Mack, linebacker Denzel Perryman, and cornerback Cam Hart questionable for Monday. Cornerback Deane Leonard and linebacker Junior Colson have already been ruled out.

Prediction

This matchup pits two talented teams against each other, with Jon Harbaugh holding a 2-0 record against his brother Jim in head-to-head meetings. The Ravens bring the NFL’s most potent offense, led by Jackson and Henry, and should exploit the Chargers’ 20th-ranked run defense. 

After being contained by the Steelers, expect a strong rebound from both Jackson and Henry, particularly against a defense vulnerable to mobile quarterbacks and dominant running backs.

Los Angeles, while excellent defensively in scoring and the red zone, may struggle to contain Baltimore’s top-ranked red zone offense. Herbert will face significant pressure from a Ravens defense that ranks fifth in quarterback pressures. With the Chargers unable to rely on their run game against Baltimore’s top-ranked rushing defense, the pressure on Herbert could lead to costly mistakes.

The Ravens have the tools to control the tempo on offense and limit Herbert’s effectiveness on defense. Baltimore is poised to bounce back from last week’s loss and solidify their playoff positioning.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens -2.5