Former Ravens coach at the center of AFC rival’s offensive collapse

It’s a good time to be a Baltimore Ravens fan. With offensive coordinator Todd Monken calling the shots, Baltimore’s offense has become one of the most explosive in the NFL. Lamar Jackson is thriving, playing the best football of his career. Anyone else remember when the Ravens' offense was about as dynamic as a paper airplane in a wind tunnel?

Gone are the days of predictable, run-only game plans. Now, the Ravens boast a balanced attack that can beat you through the air, on the ground, or both—whatever they're feeling that day.

At the center of it all is Jackson, who looks more like an MVP than ever before. His 3,290 passing yards and 29 touchdowns through 13 games speak for themselves, but it’s not just the numbers. Jackson’s poise in the pocket, his play in the red zone, and his ability to spread the ball around have made Baltimore’s passing game a true threat. Add in Derrick Henry’s bruising runs and Justice Hill’s versatility, and this offense is a full-on nightmare for opposing defenses.

Contrast that with the Ravens’ recent past under Greg Roman, where the passing game was an afterthought. Roman’s schemes, which relied heavily on the run, stifled Jackson’s growth as a passer and kept the offense one-dimensional. Now, Roman is in Los Angeles, and the Chargers are finding out just how limited his approach can be.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Justin Herbert will regress under Greg Roman

The difference between Todd Monken’s offense and Greg Roman’s is night and day. Under Roman, the Ravens were overly reliant on the run, and their passing game felt more like a backup plan. Monken has flipped the script. Baltimore’s offense leads the NFL in total yards per game (422.5) and yards per play (6.8), with Jackson delivering strikes all over the field.

The Ravens’ commitment to balance is a key reason for their success. Derrick Henry is averaging a league-runner-up 5.9 yards per carry, while Justice Hill has added a dynamic element with his speed and versatility in the pass. It's not just an improvement—it’s a transformation.

While Baltimore flourishes, Roman’s new offense in Los Angeles is sputtering. Despite inheriting Justin Herbert—widely regarded as one of the league’s best pure passers—Roman has turned the Chargers into a bottom-tier offense. They rank 24th in total yards and 19th in rushing yards, despite being a "rushing guru."

Herbert’s numbers are particularly alarming. The quarterback who once lit up defenses is now averaging a career-low 212.6 passing yards per game with just 14 touchdowns in 13 starts. Roman’s predictable run-heavy schemes have stifled Herbert’s ability to make plays, and the Chargers’ offense has become painfully easy to defend.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are thriving without Roman, proving that their struggles under his watch weren’t about the players—they were about the system. Todd Monken has unlocked a new level of efficiency and creativity, and Baltimore is reaping the rewards. As for Roman? He’s proving that maybe it wasn’t Lamar who needed to adjust—it was him all along.

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