Sophomore slump, they said. He’s just a running back, they said.
Neither of these quarterbacks listened.
Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson lead their respective 4-1 teams into Sunday’s matchup in Baltimore, both looking to prove that their team owns the AFC. Herbert’s Chargers have overcome the Chiefs and Browns in a brutal opening stretch of games, while Jackon’s Ravens have gone down to the wire with the Lions, Chiefs and Colts, but have found a way to come out on top. Both teams sit in the top 10 in points per game, setting up a potential shootout between two of the game’s young, premiere quarterbacks.
Justin Herbert burst on the scene as a rookie a year ago, replacing Chargers legend Phillip Rivers after he left for the Colts in 2020. The 6th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oregon had scouts raving about his arm talent and maturity as a signal caller, but had questions about his ability to read defenses and avoid throwing interceptions. He responded by winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and throwing 31 touchdown passes to just 10 interceptions, and he has not slowed down in his sophomore season.
Herbert currently ranks fourth in passing yards (1,576) and is tied with Dak Prescott for third in passing touchdowns (13), proving himself to be one of the AFC’s elite overall quarterbacks. He has benefited well from the health of his skill players this season, with Austin Ekeler and Mike Willaims playing in every game, as well as continuing to rely on veteran Keenan Allen. Herbert has also been blessed with rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater on the offensive line, giving the quarterback ample time to make plays. The Charger’s offense looks as good as any offense in league, especially after putting up 47 points on a highly-regarded Browns defense, and a Ravens defense coming off a game in which they gave up 22 points in the first half the Indianapolis Colts should look appetizing for Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
However, the signal caller on the other side poses an equally tough challenge for the Chargers defense.
Lamar Jackson is having a historic season for a quarterback. He ranks fifth in the league in passing yard (1,519) and eighth in rushing yards (341) – the first time in NFL
history a quarterback is top 10 in both stats. Normally thought of as a rush first quarterback, Jackson has been far from that this season and showed it in historic fashion in the Ravens comeback win against the Colts. Jackson threw for 442 with an 86 completion percentage – the highest percentage by a quarterback in NFL history when throwing for at least 400 yards. Despite the injuries to their running backs, Jackson has kept the Ravens atop the AFC North, utilizing receiving threats Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews to slice up opposing defenses. Tha Chargers defense led by Joey Bosa has been stout before last weeks’ 42-point effort by the Browns and should give wreak havoc on a Ravens’ offensive still without starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley, but with Jackon’s ability to avoid pressure with his legs and make throws on the run, it’s going to be up to Chargers secondary to lock on receivers and prevent big plays.
So, who is going to come out on top? I believe the Chargers will be playing in their second straight shoot-out against Lamar Jackon and both quarterbacks are going to give NFL fans a show. However, I trust in the talented Chargers secondary made up of Derwin James, Chris Harris Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. to limit Jackson through the air and potentially come up with a big turnover late to bring a talented Los Angeles Chargers team to 5-1.
Prediction: LA Chargers over Baltimore Ravens 34-31
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