Former Ravens RB seeks revenge with career highs against Baltimore

J.K. Dobbins, once a rising star for the Baltimore Ravens, is now thriving as the lead back for the Los Angeles Chargers. After an injury-plagued tenure in Baltimore, Dobbins has found his footing in Los Angeles, racking up 726 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in just 10 games this season.

But Dobbins isn’t just looking to pad his stats this week. He’s looking to make a statement. On Monday Night Football, he’ll face his former team, with a chance to set new career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns in front of a national audience.

For the Ravens, containing their former back is critical to their game plan, but for Dobbins, this matchup is personal.

The Ravens drafted Dobbins in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, expecting him to be a cornerstone of their offense for years. Early on, he lived up to the hype, rushing for 805 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie while averaging a dazzling 6.0 yards per carry. But injuries derailed his career in Baltimore.

A torn ACL wiped out his 2021 season, and additional knee issues limited him to just eight games in 2022. The Ravens held out hope, but another Achilles injury in Week 1 of 2023 spelled the end of his tenure in Baltimore. When his rookie contract expired, the team opted to move on, leaving Dobbins to find a fresh start with the Chargers.

This season, Dobbins has proven he’s still a game-changing back.

He’s two touchdowns away from passing his rookie touchdown total of nine and is just 79 rushing yards shy of surpassing his best season mark of 805. His ability to create explosive plays has returned as well, including a 61-yard touchdown run in Week 1. Dobbins has been a model of consistency for Los Angeles, averaging 72.6 rushing yards per game.

Now, with Monday night’s game against Baltimore looming, Dobbins has a chance to rewrite the narrative. Breaking his career highs against the team that drafted him would be a poetic statement for a player who feels he wasn’t able to fully prove himself in Baltimore.

For the Ravens, stopping Dobbins will be a tall order. Led by linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, Baltimore’s top-five run defense has been one of the league’s stingiest, allowing just 84.6 rushing yards per game. However, Dobbins’ physicality and ability to break tackles (he’s recorded 505 rushing yards after contact this season) make him a unique challenge.

Baltimore’s defense is preparing for the task, but Dobbins will be just as motivated. He’s already shown he can shine in big moments, delivering a game-winning touchdown against Cincinnati in Week 11. And while Dobbins has downplayed the emotions of facing his former team, his production this season suggests he’s playing with something to prove.

Monday night offers Dobbins a chance to do just that, with the entire NFL watching. For Baltimore, it’s a shot to show that moving on from their former back was the right call.

Either way, Monday night promises fireworks.