Baltimore Ravens Show Championship Caliber in 'Complementary' Win Over Chargers

The Baltimore Ravens didn't have a banner night offensively on Sunday, but with this defense, that's not always needed.

It wasn't a storybook offensive performance for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, but sometimes, that's not required.

The Ravens put up enough offense to compliment their smothering defense on Sunday in a 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and they laid claim to the AFC's top seed in the process. 

Earlier this season, Sports Illustrated tabbed FanNation's NFL writers to give bold predictions for each team in the year's second half. I was given the task of discussing Baltimore, and I projected that the Ravens would reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2012.

Why? Games like tonight.

Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) and safety Marcus Williams (32) block a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Guyton (15) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like a broken record at times, but everyone knows what quarterback Lamar Jackson is capable of. He eclipsed 5,000 career rushing yards on Sunday night, and his electric talent is a huge factor in this team's success.

But what about in his more "pedestrian" games? He put up 177 passing yards and a score on Sunday night, and while that certainly isn't bad, it isn't the stuff of legend.

That's where this Baltimore defense shows its teeth. That side of the ball held the Chargers to just 10 points and 279 total yards, sacking quarterback Justin Herbert three times for 24 yards.

Los Angeles struggled to produce anything of substance offensively on Sunday night, and that's the largest reason the Ravens won.

Again, Lamar's performance wasn't bad, but it's nearly impossible to throw for 350-plus yards and multiple scores each week in the NFL. The competition is just too solid.

Ravens Smother Chargers; Claim AFC's Top Seed - For Now

What is possible, however, is a complementary style of football where, even when the scoreboard isn't lit up, you still win the game. The Ravens look the part of one of the most complete teams in the NFL, let alone the AFC, and that's because they have a winning recipe of elite offense and elite defense.

When one side of the ball doesn't have an incredible night, that's usually okay. There's still a good chance to win anyway, and that's what happened against the Chargers.