NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Cowboys, including CB Trevon Diggs, are starting to break out – Jones & Tafur
8. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Previous rank: 10
Week 5 result: Beat the Colts, 31-25
Breakout player: Lamar Jackson? Can we say that? On Monday night, Jackson became the first player in NFL history with 400 passing yards and an 85 percent completion percentage in a game. The former MVP had 499 of the Ravens’ 523 yards of offense, and nothing against Josh Allen, but Jackson should be getting more MVP consideration because his defense hasn’t put up two shutouts.
Should the Ravens Be Concerned About Running Game? – Todd Karpovich
The running attack has still been efficient but it’s not having the same production as the previous years.
Baltimore is ranked fourth in the NFL with 148.8 yards per game, which is still impressive.
Opposing teams are determined to stop the Ravens from running the ball and are stacking the box with extra defenders. However, Jackson has taken advantage of this strategy and made plays downfield.
The Ravens are simply going to take what their opponents give them.
“Like I’ve said, it’s not a narrative that we’re thinking about,” Harbaugh said about beating teams through the air. “We’re trying to win the next game whatever way we can. We didn’t doubt that we could throw the ball. We didn’t doubt any of our guys’ ability to make plays in the passing game. We’re just trying to be as good as we can be from one week to the next. We have to get better next week; these guys know it. We have to keep improving.”
Chargers’ Justin Herbert vs. Ravens’ Lamar Jackson: What to know about QB duel in Week 6 – Gavino Borquez
Two young superstar signal-callers who have been terrors are both coming off career-high passing performances and thrilling victories.
Over his last three games, Herbert has been on fire under center for Los Angeles. Herbert has gone 77-of-119 passing for 901 yards with 12 total touchdowns and no interceptions.
Herbert will be going up against a shaky defense that has allowed 296.4 passing yards per game (28th). Meanwhile, Jackson will be tested against the seventh-best pass defense (214.4 yards per game).
However, the Chargers have given up 157.6 rushing yards per game (32nd), where Jackson could beat up the team.
Whichever quarterback comes on top this weekend will not only put their team atop the AFC but help their chances of being named league MVP.
Chargers vs. Ravens Week 6: By The Numbers – Michael Peterson
Chargers Offense
Total yards per game: 411.4
Points per game: 28.4
Passing yards per game: 303.0
Rushing yards per game: 108.4
Top Performers
Passing: QB Justin Herbert – 1,576 yards, 13 touchdowns
Rushing yards: RB Austin Ekeler – 349
Rushing touchdowns: RB Austin Ekeler – 4
Receiving yards: WR Mike Williams – 471
Receptions: WR Keenan Allen – 34
Receiving touchdowns: WR Mike Williams – 6
Chargers Defense
Total yards allowed per game: 371.8
Points allowed per game: 23.2
Passing yards allowed per game: 214.2
Rushing yards allowed per game: 157.6
Top Performers
Tackles: S Derwin James – 43
Tackles for loss: LB Drue Tranquill – 3
Sacks: EDGE Joey Bosa – 2.5
Passes Defended: CB Asante Samuel Jr. – 5
Interceptions: CB Asante Samuel Jr. – 2
Forced fumbles: CB Tevaughn Campbell – 2
Fumble recoveries: CB Michael Davis – 2
NFL picks, predictions against spread Week 6: Cowboys solve Patriots; Packers drop Bears; Steelers smash Seahawks – Vinnie Iyer
Chargers at Ravens (-3.5, 50.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Chargers are feeling it offensively around Justin Herbert and have good makeup to win the road under Brandon Staley. But as good as they can be defending the pass at times, they’re not meant to handle run-heavy attacks, especially ones involving Lamar Jackson, who also is back to pushing the ball downfield with accuracy. Baltimore will have more success rendering Los Angeles one-dimensional. These two AFC contenders will play a classic, much like the Chargers did with another North team last week.
Pick: Ravens win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread.
NFL Week 6 picks: Chargers upset Ravens in shootout, Browns hand Cardinals first loss, Cowboys cruise – Pete Prisco
Los Angeles Chargers (+3) at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens rallied to beat the Colts in spectacular fashion Monday night as Lamar Jackson lit them up through the air. Justin Herbert has also been putting up big numbers. This will be fun to watch. The Chargers are awful against the run, so does this get the Ravens back running it again? It might. I think both offenses can have their way. It’s a shootout won by the Chargers.
Pick: Chargers 41, Ravens 38