Ravens vs. Chargers score: Baltimore rushes for three touchdowns and over 175 yards in statement win

The Ravens run offense returned with a vengeance in the dominant victory

BALTIMORE -- A banner day for older running backs took place at M&T Bank Stadium with Latavius Murray, Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman each scoring a rushing touchdown, as the Baltimore Ravens used their powerful running game in a statement victory over the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon. 

The Ravens dominated from their first possession on and never relented, rushing for more than 175 yards in the blowout win. In what was supposed to be a shootout between two of the league's top young quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson got the better of Justin Herbert -- even as the Ravens didn't have to rely on his arm this week.  

Baltimore took control of the game on its first drive, which was orchestrated by Murray. He rushed two times for 22 yards and caught two passes on that drive. Baltimore finished with 62 rushing yards on that first drive -- which set the tone of the game -- and it was capped by Murray's 14-yard touchdown run. The Ravens went 92 yards up the field on their second drive, finished off by a Bell 3-yard score -- his first as a Raven and first touchdown since Week 15 of last season. 

Freeman's touchdown came on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 9-yard run that put Baltimore up 34-6 and in total command of the battle between two division leaders in the AFC. The Ravens' other touchdown came from the arm of Jackson, who found Mark Andrews for a 9-yard strike on Baltimore's opening possession of the second half. Jackson has 42 straight games with a passing or rushing touchdown -- the fifth longest streak in NFL history. The drive signified a long day for the Chargers defense and a dominant afternoon for the Ravens offensive line.  

The only sign of life from the Chargers came from an ill-advised throw from Jackson that resulted in an interception. His lone blemish when the game was still within reach set the Chargers up for their lone touchdown of the game. Kyzir White picked off Jackson -- one play after DeShon Elliott intercepted Herbert -- and Herbert found Jared Cook for a 1-yard pass touchdown two plays later to cut Baltimore's lead to 17-6 late in the second quarter. Herbert set up the touchdown by finding Mike Williams for a big gain, but Williams was injured on the play. Williams did return in time for the start of the second half. 

Jackson finished 19 of 27 for 167 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also had eight carries for 51 yards. Herbert finished 22 of 39 for 195 yards and a touchdown with an interception. 

Here are our takeaways from Baltimore's statement win:

Why the Ravens won

This felt like an old school Baltimore victory -- a dominant run game and excellent defensive performance. Baltimore pounded Los Angeles on the ground, rushing for 187 yards on 38 carries (4.9 yards per carry) as the Ravens were led by veteran running backs Murray, Freeman, and Bell. All three scored a touchdown, and the Ravens' rushing attack didn't miss a beat even when Murray left the game with an ankle injury -- which Harbaugh said wasn't overly serious. Freeman didn't look like the Pro Bowl running back from a few years ago, but it's clear he can be effective in this offense if called upon to be the workhorse (he finished with nine carries for 53 yards).

Baltimore's defense allowed just six points to an explosive Los Angeles offense, holding the Chargers to just 182 passing yards -- a quarter of which came when the game was out of hand. Herbert was off his spot all afternoon, specifically due to DeShon Elliott, who finished with a sack and an interception. The Chargers finished with just 3.9 yards per play and were scoreless on their first five possessions. Total dominance by Baltimore's defense.

Why the Chargers lost

Name the mistake, the Chargers made it. From Brandon Staley to Justin Herbert to the rest of the team, Los Angeles was run out of the building by Baltimore -- quite the surprise considering how good the Chargers looked through five games. Staley inexplicably went for it on fourth down twice in his own territory, which led to six Ravens points (and could have been more). Herbert missed Mike Williams on a deep post on the first drive of the game that set the tone for his day and the Chargers defensive line just couldn't stop the run at any point.

Los Angeles will want to remember this one for how poor it played, but the Chargers just had a bad game against a team that focused on not having a let down after a thrilling win six days earlier. Herbert will be better after arguably the worst game of his career and Staley should improve after being too aggressive -- which has helped him early in the year prior to Sunday. The Chargers are still a good team, but picked a bad day to play poorly. 

Turning point

The Chargers were down 14-0 when Brandon Staley had a head scratching decision to go for it on fourth down on the Chargers' own 39 with 9:13 left in the second quarter. Staley was trying to inject life in his offense and show faith in his struggling quarterback, but was burnt by a Justin Herbert pass to Mike Williams that went incomplete due to a high throw. 

Staley was fortunate the Ravens went three-and-out, but Justin Tucker still made him pay for the decision by hitting a 52-yard field goal to put Baltimore up 17-0 midway through the second quarter. The Chargers were able to cut the lead to 17-6, but those three points given on a coaching decision were critical heading into halftime. 

Los Angeles may have been falling out of the game, but Staley took them out completely by gambling to create momentum. This week, it didn't work. 

Play of the game

A holding penalty on the Ravens' second possession forced Baltimore into a first-and-20 situation in a 7-0 game. Leave it to Lamar Jackson to get it all back on the first play, rushing for 22 yards to get the raucous Ravens fans on their feet. The run was brilliant from Jackson, who waited for his blockers before taking off down the right sideline and getting the first down. 

Jackson found Mark Andrews for 21 yards on the next play before Le'Veon Bell punched the ball in from two yards out to put the Ravens up 14-0. Jackson's run set up what would be a dominant afternoon for the Ravens. 

The quote

"If I break a record, it happens. We want something else." -- Lamar Jackson on setting numerous records in his short NFL career. 

Jackson broke Dan Marino's record for the most wins by a starting quarterback prior to the age of 25, admitting that "it's pretty cool." The Ravens quarterback won't get carried away with all the marks he's setting, nor will he relent on the Ravens being the best team in the AFC.

"We're good with what we have. We don't need that extra stuff." 

Up next

The Ravens (5-1) play their third consecutive game at M&T Bank Stadium next Sunday as they host the Bengals (4-2) while the Chargers (4-2)  have a bye week before returning to play the Patriots at home on Sunday, Oct. 31. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:55 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Some pushing and shoving after that final first down run by the Ravens. Chargers were just beaten down today. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:49 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

This one has been over for a while, but the Ravens have 175 yards on the ground and have completely dominated the Chargers up front. We're in garbage time now as Baltimore is up 34-6 with 3 minutes left. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson is set to put this game away. 3rd-and-10 pass complete to mark Andrews and teh ravesn are in the red zoen again. 

After 3, Ravens 27, Chargers 6

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:14 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Latavius Murray injured for the Ravens. He walks off limping.

Le'Veon Bell in the game. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

4 catches for 4 first downs for Rashod Bateman. Been a huge ally for Lamar today. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:09 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Justin Herbert and the Chargers go 3-and-out. Herbert is only 12 for 25 today. He just looks off, but this Ravens defense is really shutting down the Chargers receivers. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:04 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Justin Tucker kicks a 39-yard FG as the Ravens go 3-and-out. 

 Still two 4th down attempts in his own territory by Brandon Staley has given BAL 6 points. Ravens up 27-6.

[Oct 17, 2021 at 3:00 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Brandon Staley is going for a 4th-and-1 -- on his OWN 19! 

The Chargers threw the ball. And it was incomplete. There's 5:55 left in third quarter. LA down 24-6.

[Oct 17, 2021 at 2:55 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson was 3-for-3 for 24 yards and a TD on that drive.

Two to Bateman, TD to Andrews. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 2:52 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson fires a strike to Mark Andrews for the TD.

That is Jackson's 42nd straight game with a passing or rushing TD, the 5th longest streak in NFL history.

Ravens up 24-6. 

[Oct 17, 2021 at 2:49 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Rashod Bateman is becoming a reliable weapon for the Ravens already. 

 3 catches, 3 first downs. Lamar likes him.

[Oct 17, 2021 at 2:43 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Rashod Batmen has two career catches. Both for first downs. He gets the Ravens drive moving as BAL is at the LA 45.