The week comes to an end tonight with one of the best games on the Week 12 slate. John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens come to Los Angeles to battle Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. It has big implications in the AFC playoff landscape, and I’ll have a full preview of the game below. But first, let’s consider some things we learned in the rest of Week 12.

The Lions are great

The Detroit Lions have won eight straight games and sit at 10-1, tied for the best record in the NFL. They have the best record in the NFC and look like a juggernaut cruising toward a top seed in the playoffs. For a team that was a bad half away from the Super Bowl last January, this looks like a march to destiny. There are still six games left in the regular season, but the Lions look like a team on a mission and the best team in the NFL.

The Commanders are struggling

The Washington Commanders got off to a hot start, going 7-2 and taking the league by storm. The team has now lost three straight, slipping to 7-5 and on the cusp of falling out of the playoff picture. The NFC is loaded and competitive, with a swath of teams grouped at five to seven wins. The Commanders’ early cushion is gone, and they need a strong closing stretch to remain in the playoff chase as Jayden Daniels sees his early lead in the Rookie of the Year race quickly evaporate.

The Texans are in a funk

The Houston Texans were a great story in 2023, making the playoffs after a woeful 2022 campaign. This season, they came in as the favorites. The Texans aimed for the playoffs, but it was about making a run toward a Super Bowl. At 7-5 they still have a decent lead in their division, but they’re a fourth seed at best right now. Their offense and defense are out of sync as they pile up losses and poor performances. They need to get it corrected if they hope to make a run in the playoffs.

And now, on to Monday’s game.

Baltimore Ravens (7-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

Monday’s battle not only pits brother against brother, but it also features two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Coming into the game, the Chargers sit as the No. 5 seed and the Ravens sit as the No. 6 seed. This game will have major implications as the team’s make their run down the stretch toward the post-season.

For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson is a QB1, and Derrick Henry is an RB1. Those two are the engine that drives the Ravens, and both should be weekly starts. In the passing game, Zay Flowers is the most consistent target. He’s a WR2 for me. Mark Andrews has been picking up his production and is a TE2 with upside. Justice Hill is a flex consideration, as is Isaiah Likely. Diontae Johnson should be on the bench until we see something in Baltimore.

For the Chargers, Justin Herbert has been hot of late. He’s a low-end QB1 for me as well. In the backfield, J.K. Dobbins is an RB2 for me and Gus Edwards is a flex play. In the passing game, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have picked it up. McConkey is a WR2, while Johnston is a WR3 for me. Will Dissly is a TE2 with some upside.

I’m taking the Ravens in this one.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.