Two of the AFC's top teams collide on Monday night in Los Angeles as the Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore (7-4), led by superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson and dominant rusher Derrick Henry, began the season strong but have since split the last four games. It will face a red-hot Los Angeles squad who has won five of its last six games including a thriller last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Who will come out on top of a crucial game for both franchises? Stay with NBC News all night for the latest from SoFi Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers
Date: Monday, Nov. 25
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
How to watch: ESPN or stream on ESPN+
Baltimore’s defense vulnerable after halftime
For as quickly as Baltimore’s offense can score, its defense can give up damaging plays, too. The Ravens are allowing 15.2 points per second half this season, and only the Raiders allow more. Baltimore ranks among the league’s 10 worst defenses in most passing-related categories, from yards allowed per attempt (7.2), per completion (11.0) and dead last in first downs allowed by passes (14.8).
Run-focused transformation
In broad strokes, this has been the year of the running back in the NFL. The Ravens and the Chargers are two teams that have used the run to change their offenses. Baltimore’s 177.3 rushing yards per game rank second-most in the NFL behind Philadelphia, a Ravens average that increases when on the road to 187.7. Last season, prior to Derrick Henry’s arrival, Baltimore averaged about 21 fewer yards per game despite averaging slightly more rushing attempts.
There was no surprise that Jim Harbaugh would instill a running priority in his first season in Los Angeles. After averaging 96.6 yards on the ground last season, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have seen their offense average 121.6 this season.
Where both teams sit in the standings
How the Ravens sit in the standings
Baltimore (7-4) enters tonight second in the AFC North, one game behind 8-3 Pittsburgh, which won their head-to-head matchup. Until those teams meet again in Week 16, the Ravens have to keep pace in the standings.
Pittsburgh: 8-3
Baltimore: 7-4
Cincinnati: 4-7
Cleveland: 3-8
How the Chargers sit in the standings
Staying in the AFC, but in the west, the Chargers are a distant second in their division at 7-3. The NFL rates the Chargers probability of making the playoffs at 90%, and 97% with a win tonight.
Kansas City: 10-1
Chargers: 7-3
Denver: 7-5
Las Vegas: 2-9
Ravens coming off brutal loss
The Ravens lost 18-16 at the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11… despite not allowing a touchdown (allowed 6 field goals). Baltimore scored a touchdown with 1:06 left in regulation but failed on the two-point conversion attempt to tie game.
It was their fourth loss this season, the same total they had all of last year.
Chargers on fire as of late
The Chargers are coming off a thriller in Week 12 when they beat the Bengals 34-27. L.A. led 27-6 in the third quarter before nearly blowing the game (it was tied 27-27 in fourth quarter).
RB J.K. Dobbins scored the game-winning 29-yd touchdown with 0:18 left in regulation
The Chargers have won four straight games and five of the last six since starting 2-2 and returning from a Week 5 bye.
Roquan Smith unlikely to face Chargers
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Ravens’ All-Pro linebacker, questionable for tonight’s game due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to play. He did not practice this week and did not take part in the team's Saturday walk-through.
Brothers squaring off
This is the third time that brothers John and Jim Harbaugh will coach against each other, and the first since meeting in Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 season. John and the Ravens are 2-0 against his little brother Jim (both losses were while Jim was head coach of the 49ers).