BALTIMORE — Chargers coach Brandon Staley doesn’t view fourth-down attempts from his side of the field as reckless if the situation warrants it.
Staley’s team was in desperate need of momentum, justifying why he decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Chargers’ 19-yard line in the third quarter Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Chargers knew they wouldn’t continue their perfect rate for converting fourth downs, but Staley needed to give his star quarterback Justin Herbert a fighting chance.
Herbert threw a poor pass to rookie wide receiver Josh Palmer on the fourth-and-1 play. It was one of many poor passes from Herbert during the Chargers’ ugly 34-6 loss to Ravens.
The fourth-down magic wearing off wasn’t surprising. A blowout game between two teams who entered Sunday with 4-1 records was the real surprise.
Herbert’s shaky throw to Palmer essentially ended the game with the Chargers trailing 24-6. The Chargers’ offense struggled to move the chains and their defense had no answers for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his rushing attack. The Chargers started the game with a 17-0 deficit.
Herbert went 22 of 39 for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jackson finished 19 of 27 for 167 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Nearly three years ago, the Chargers’ defense smothered a then-rookie Jackson to end the Ravens’ season in the wild-card round of the postseason. The Ravens returned the favor Sunday by making Herbert look ordinary after a sensational start to his second NFL season.
With a 14-0 deficit, Staley decided to go for it on fourth-and-3 from his 39-yard line, but the Chargers’ offense was stopped on fourth down for the first time this season. Herbert’s pass was too high for wide receiver Mike Williams, who was well covered by Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey.
The Chargers entered the game 7 of 7 on fourth downs, not including a failed fake punt against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. The Ravens turned the turnover on downs into a 52-yard field goal from Justin Tucker to extend their advantage 17-0 with 7:03 in the second quarter.
The Ravens’ rushing attack and completions to tight end Mark Andrews were the recipe to a 24-6 advantage to start the second half. Jackson connected with Andrews for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 7:21 in the third quarter. Baltimore recorded five first downs on the scoring drive.
Jackson provided the Chargers with some momentum after he threw an interception straight to linebacker Kyzir White. The Chargers responded with a two-play touchdown drive to trim the deficit 17-6 with 4:04 in the second quarter, but kicker Tristan Vizcaino missed his fifth extra-point attempt of the season.
Herbert got the scoring drive started with a 26-yard completion to Williams and ended it with a 1-yard pass to tight end Jared Cook.
The Chargers’ rushing defense had another poor start after allowing the Ravens to gain 62 rushing yards on their opening drive. Latavius Murray recorded a 14-yard rushing touchdown, Devonta Freeman had a 16-yard run and wide receiver Devin Duvernay contributed an 11-yard run on the opening drive that gave the Ravens a 7-0 advantage.
Le’Veon Bell, the former All-Pro running back for Pittsburgh, contributed to the Ravens’ rushing attack in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown to put the Ravens ahead 14-0. Jackson got the drive going with a 22-yard run and lengthy throws to Andrews.
The Chargers entered halftime with a 17-6 deficit and only 20 rushing yards compared to the Ravens’ 115.
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