Why Ravens enter bye week as AFC's most dangerous team
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Baltimore Ravens found themselves in familiar territory Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Clinging to a slim fourth-quarter lead, the Ravens defense had an opportunity to make a game-sealing stop. Baltimore had fourth-quarter leads against the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns before squandering all three contests.
Experience sometimes can be the best teacher.
On fourth-and-6 with 1:57 in the fourth quarter, the Chargers were down 13-10. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert audibled at the line of scrimmage before receiving the ball in shotgun. Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet came blitzing around the edge unblocked and forced Herbert into an errant desperation throw that was eventually called intentional grounding. The Chargers turned the ball over on downs in what was theoretically the game-deciding play. Baltimore’s offense took over possession and scored a touchdown three plays later for good measure to lift the Ravens to a 20-10 win.
No late-game collapse.
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"This is a good showing where we are at as a team," Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. "How good we are. Also 9-3, those three loses we feel like we could’ve won easily."
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The Ravens used past late-game blunders as motivation when faced in a similar situation Sunday night. The Ravens are now riding a two-game winning streak and are atop of the AFC at 9-3 entering a Week 13 bye.
"We wanted to get the win just so we can get out and have a good bye (week)," Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen said. "We just got to build on that. When we get those chances in the fourth quarter, make those stops."
Sunday night’s game, though, was an illustration that the Ravens are currently the best team in the AFC and not just by virtue of owning the conference’s top record.
The Ravens can beat their opponents in a variety of ways.
There’s passing. Dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson is on pace to have a single-season career-high in passing yards. Even without standout tight end Mark Andrews, the Ravens can fill his void with wide receivers Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham, Rashod Bateman and tight end Isaiah Likely.
Baltimore has an established rushing attack. The Ravens amassed 197 rushing yards against the Chargers in a game in which Jackson became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 5,000 career rushing yards.
And Justin Tucker is the best kicker in football (although he uncharacteristically missed a 44-yard field goal Sunday night).
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However, it’s the Ravens defense that undoubtedly makes Baltimore the most dangerous team to knock the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs off the AFC’s throne. Baltimore’s defense forced four takeaways versus the Chargers and held Herbert to his third lowest passing yards output of the season. The Ravens rank top two in both total defense and points allowed, and have a league-best 47 sacks entering their bye.
"I think we’re becoming what we’re capable of becoming, but it’s not over yet," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We have a lot of work to do. Guys are going to get a little time (off), a little spirit, a little mind, a little body (rest), take care of their families, and then get back next Monday, and we'll be ready to come out of the gates for the final part of the season."
The Ravens have five games remaining in the regular season and control their own destiny at the top of AFC. Even without their star tight end, they are the most complete team in football. Their ability to win in a variety of ways and rebound from what previously ailed them might just be what propels them. It’s precisely why they currently have the top record in the conference.
"Getting to the Super Bowl is the goal, but we’re just going to take it a week at a time. That’s all we can do," Jackson said. "We can’t worry about the No.1 seed or anything like that. It's the NFL, anything can happen any given Sunday, Thursday, whenever you play, Monday. We just have to keep focusing (and) keep trying to win these games because it’s a tough league."
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.