Ravens vs. Chargers: One thing to watch from each offensive position group in Week 12

The Ravens (8-3) have won five of their past six games and are set to travel to the West Coast for an intriguing battle with the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) on NBC’s Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. ET
kickoff).

Baltimore currently owns the AFC’s top record and No. 1 playoff seed, while the Los Angeles Chargers are trying to avoid falling entirely out of playoff contention after a 23-20 loss to the Packers in Week 11.

With John Harbaugh’s team set to return to practice, we’re looking at one thing to watch from each Ravens position group in Week 12.

QB

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson loves the bright lights, and the Ravens star quarterback has a 13-4 record as a starter in primetime games. Jackson owns a 101.5 rating in these contests, throwing 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Jackson has also rushed for 1,236 yards and 7 touchdowns in primetime.

RB

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Gus Edwards ranks No. 2 in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (10), registering at least one rushing score in five straight games. His nine rushing touchdowns since Week 7 (past five games) are the NFL’s most, and we’ll be watching to see if Edwards can log two more scores against the Chargers 12th ranked run defense.

Edwards (five games) can become the third Raven in franchise history to record a rushing touchdown in six straight games, joining Willis McGahee (seven in 2007) and J.K. Dobbins (six from 2020-21).

WR

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a first down catch against DJ Turner II #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Chargers are 31st against the pass and with Mark Andrews out of the lineup, Sunday could provide the backdrop for a huge receiving performance from Ravens wide receivers.

Los Angeles (Chargers) is 31st in pass defense, and with at least 100 receiving yards in Week 12, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. can become the first Baltimore wideout with consecutive 100-yard receiving outings since Mike Wallace in 2016.

TE

(Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

Mark Andrews had ankle surgery on Tuesday, and we’ll be watching to see if Isaiah Likely or Charlie Kolar can add some punch to the Baltimore passing attack.

Likely has nine catches on 12 targets, for 89 yards, but his breakout games last season all came in Andrews’ absence.

OL

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

Lammar Jackson was sacked three times in the win over the Bengals as Patrick Mekari, filling in for injured left tackle Ronnie Stanley, struggled early with Trey Hendrickson’s quickness off the edge. The Chargers’ will be without Joey Bosa, and we’ll be watching to see if Baltimore can dominate up front with the return of right tackle Morgan Moses, who missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury.