Jan 6, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) reacts after sacking Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (not pictured) during the third quarter ain a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Jay Rigdon on

For most of today’s wild card game between the Chargers and Ravens, Los Angeles was in complete control, to the point that the biggest drama for the first three quarters featured Tony Romo sort of swearing on the air.

After a field goal put the Chargers up 23-3 with 9:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, though, the Ravens came to life. That was partially because the Chargers backed off the pressure they’d used to keep Lamar Jackson in check all day, to the point that Baltimore fans booed Jackson coming onto the field for the ensuing drive over Joe Flacco, who spent the game with worse body language than anything Jay Cutler displayed on the sidelines.

Jackson, though, took the Ravens right down the field for their first touchdown of the game, via this 31-yard pass to Michael Crabtree:

After a defensive stop, the Ravens again went down the field, with Jackson extending the drive via a ridiculous series of escapes on one play:

That drive culminated with another Crabtree touchdown, on a do-or-die 4th and 6:

The Ravens elected to kick deep instead of going for an onside kick, which was odd; given the clock and Baltimore’s two timeouts, they needed a three-and-out regardless. They did get that stop, but the ensuing drive ended quickly:

And that was that, as the Chargers move on to play the Patriots next week in Foxboro. Jackson looked much better late, which is good news for the offseason storyline machine. The Chargers have a chance to win next week, and it will be interesting to watch the 37-year-old Rivers take on 41-year-old Tom Brady.

It ended up being a fun game, even if the first fifty minutes weren’t much to watch.

About Jay Rigdon

Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.

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