Rare multi-FG game for Justin Tucker

The Ravens pulled away to beat the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. The Athletic’s NFL experts and insiders break it all down.

Jeff Zrebiec, Daniel Popper and The Athletic NFL Staff

November 26, 2023 at 11:52 PM EST

Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images

Rare multi-FG game for Justin Tucker

The Ravens extend their lead on a 48-yard Justin Tucker field goal, his second of the game.

This is Tucker’s fifth multi-FG game this season, tied for 18th in the NFL. Tucker tied for the NFL lead with 12 such games in 2022.

Ravens go up 13-3

A Justin Tucker field goal from 48 yards out is good.

Chargers don’t score first-half TD for first time in a long time

The Chargers didn’t score a touchdown in the first half, snapping a streak of 48 straight games with a first-half touchdown. That had been an NFL record, according to the NBC broadcast.

Chargers defense keeping them in game, down 10-3 at half

(Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)

Thus far, Brandon Staley’s defense has kept the Chargers in the game. The offense gifted the Ravens back-to-back possessions starting in opposing territory to close the half. The first came off a Keenan Allen fumble. The Chargers defense held the Ravens to a field goal. The second came off an Austin Ekeler fumble, his second in as many games. The Chargers defense then forced a turnover on downs. The defense also forced a turnover on downs earlier in the quarter when safety Alohi Gilman and linebacker Kenneth Murray combined for a fourth-and-1 run stuff on running back Gus Edwards. The two turnovers derailed the Chargers offense in the second quarter.

Prior to those possessions, the pass protection was struggling to hold up. The Chargers had just five first downs in the fist half. On the other side of the ball, the Chargers’ pass rush has been getting home on Lamar Jackson. Khalil Mack continued his resurgent season with two sacks, including a sack fumble on the Ravens’ final drive of the half. Mack is up to 13 sacks on the season, just two shy of the career high he set in his second pro season in 2015.

What you missed in the first half on Sunday Night Football

(Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)

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Ravens head into half up 10-3

The Ravens force their second straight fumble as the Chargers were heading downfield late in the second quarter. The linebacker duo of Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith hit Austin Ekeler following a short completion and jarred the ball loose. Baltimore recovered at the Chargers’ 47 but failed to turn it into points before the half.

Correction: Khalil Mack has 13 sacks in 11 games

Make that 13 sacks now for Khalil Mack, the second-highest single-season total for his career. The seven-time Pro Bowler is arguably having his best season since winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.

Second straight Chargers possession ends in a fumble

The turnover bug is biting the Chargers hard right now. After a Keenan Allen fumble turned into a Ravens field goal, the Chargers’ hopes of some last-minute points in the second quarter ended with an Austin Ekeler fumble.

The Chargers have just 107 yards in the first half along with the two turnovers.

Khalil Mack has 12 sacks in 11 games

Khalil Mack has 12 sacks this season for the Chargers in 11 games after taking down Lamar Jackson late in the second quarter. This was already his first time reaching double-digits since 2018 — his first season with the Chicago Bears when he had 12 1/2. His career high is 15, which he set during his second NFL season in 2015 with the Oakland Raiders. This latest sack gives him 96 1/2 for his career.

Chargers give it right back

After getting a fourth-and-1 stop, the Chargers gave it right back to the Ravens two plays later on a fumble by WR Keenan Allen.

Los Angeles entered the night with an NFL-low eight turnovers this season.

#NotImpressed

Lamar Jackson didn’t appear impressed with Zay Flowers’ touchdown celebration.

Is history repeating itself?

Shades of Cowboys game offensively for Chargers here early. They can’t run it. The Ravens are pinning their ears back up front and getting after Justin Herbert, even on early downs. Kellen Moore must find a way to get Baltimore’s defensive front off balance.

Ravens take 7-3 lead

The Ravens get on the board for the first time tonight following a 12-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard score by Zay Flowers — the rookie’s second touchdown of the season. Lamar Jackson is expected to spread the ball around more without Mark Andrews on the field. Five different players have caught passes in this first half.

Baltimore has a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.

What you missed in the first quarter on Sunday Night Football

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Missed calls are hurting the Chargers

The Chargers have already twice been hurt by apparent missed calls by the officials. Along with the missed late-hit penalty on their first offensive possession, NBC rules analyst Terry McAuley said the Ravens should have been flagged for kick catch interference after their opening drive punt.

The Chargers lead 3-0, but the first missed call denied them a first-and-goal opportunity and the second led to them starting their second drive from their own 11-yard line and, after picking up one first down, they were forced to punt.

Cris Collinsworth not in booth for NBC, Jason Garrett filling in

NBC game analyst Cris Collinsworth is not working tonight’s Ravens-Chargers game after he was on the call for NBC’s Thanksgiving broadcast of 49ers-Seahawks in Seattle.

Per Sporting News, Collinsworth elected to spend the rest of the weekend with his family.

Last season, Collinsworth sat out NBC’s Thanksgiving broadcast (Patriots at Vikings) and worked that weekend’s Sunday Night Football game (Saints at 49ers).

Collinsworth is expected to be back in the booth for next week’s Sunday Night Football game between the Chiefs and Packers in Green Bay.

Chargers grab early 3-0 lead

Chargers had to settle for a field goal, but they jump ahead 3-0.

Los Angeles has scored first in nine of their 11 games this season, tied for the second most in the NFL.

The bad news? The Chargers are 4-4 in games they’ve scored first this season, tied for the second-most such losses in the NFL.

No flag after Justin Herbert appears to be hit late out of bounds

Justin Herbert was hit late on a scramble out of bounds. The Chargers offense line was not pleased. They sprinted over, led by Will Clapp. A skirmish ensued and flags fly. And they do not even call a late hit. That is an interesting call. Only called the personal foul on Jamaree Salyer. Instead of a third-and-4 from the 6-yard line — or a first down with an unnecessary roughness penalty — the Chargers are stuck with a third-and-19. Herbert was pressured on that play and had to throw it away as the Chargers settle for a Cameron Dicker field goal.

Considering how officials have been calling hits on the QB league-wide this season, I don’t know how that was not a penalty. Lots of players have complained about inconsistency in how roughing the passer is officiated. Another example there.

Ravens and Chargers both start games fast

No team has started games faster than the Ravens this season… but the Chargers aren’t far behind.

Entering tonight’s matchup, Baltimore has an NFL-best plus-67 scoring margin in the first quarter and Los Angeles is plus-34, fourth best in the NFL.

The Ravens have allowed a league-low 19 first-quarter points and the Chargers have allowed 34, tied for fourth fewest.

Baltimore has scored 86 first-quarter points, second most in the NFL. Los Angeles has scored 68, tied for fifth most.