The Los Angeles Chargers seem to have a discipline problem. This season we have already seen Poona Ford, Khalil Mack, and Denzel Perryman fined by the NFL and two more names have been added to the list. The game against the Bengals was a nail-biting affair and the 34-27 win means Jim Harbaugh’s side are 7-3 before heading into the Harbaugh Bowl in Week 12. But the Chargers’ HC has something else to worry about.

In Week 3, Chargers safety Derwin James was handed a one-game suspension without pay after “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,” against the Steelers. However, James was defiant afterward saying he won’t change his physical style of playing. “No, it ain’t going to change s—It’s definitely not going to change nothing. Like I said, I’m just going to go lower. I’m not going to change,” he said and he was not messing around.

On Saturday, against the Bengals, at the 9:40 mark in the 1st quarter, he made a horse collar tackle on the Bengals RB Chase Brown. The NFL found it to unnecessary roughness and fined him $16,883. He needs to be careful as the fine would jump to $22,511 if he repeats it. He wasn’t the only person fined, though.

James’s game is based on physicality and going all in to stop defenders in their tracks. But this style has led to trouble with the league and fines and suspension. His latest punishment is the eighth he has been flagged for unnecessary roughness in his career, which is the joint most in the NFL since 2018, tied with Xavier Woods.

Meanwhile, Otito Ogbonnia, the linebacker of Jim Harbaugh’s team, was also fined $5,915 for a hit on the Bengals QB Joe Burrow. He landed on the signal caller with his full body weight in the 4th quarter. There are lessons to be learned here. Penalties were given in the game as well. But the players were caught in the heat of the game. This is something Harbaugh will have to fix, as these issues have been lingering for some time.

In October, during their Week 4 game against the Chiefs, two of the Chargers’ players were fined. Linebacker Denzel Perryman was fined $66,666 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet. Perryman attempted to make a tackle on Kareem Hunt and he lowered his helmet and made contact with Hunt’s helmet.

In the same game, edge defender Khalil Mack was hit with a $22,511 fine by the NFL for a certain pass rush. Mack was pass-rushing from the outside and came inside, where his helmet made contact with Chiefs center Creed Humphrey. Despite their win over the Bengals,  Jim Harbaugh will be eager to fix the disciplinary issues, especially as it’s time for a showdown between the Harbaugh brothers.

Will Jim Harbaugh win the week 12 Harbaugh Bowl against his elder brother?

The brothers will not take it easy. Instead, it could be much tougher as they understand each other’s mindset. With a 7-4 win-loss record, John Harbaugh’s Ravens are sitting in second position in the AFC North. On the other hand, Jim Harbaugh’s franchise has 7 wins and 3 losses and sits in the second position in the AFC West.

If we talk about the conference, both teams are in the wild cards, with the Chargers placed above the Ravens. The last time they both met was on the big stage of the Super Bowl in 2013. But Jim was with the 49ers then and lost it 31-34. This offers an exciting opportunity for NFL fans to see a rare brother vs brother showdown in the dugout and a chance for Jim to finally get one over his elder brother.

They have met twice before with John’s Ravens beating Jim’s 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. Their only other clash came in 2011, when the Ravens prevailed over the 49ers, 16-6, in Baltimore.

Ahead of their matchup, John praised the Chargers and said, “It’s a tough matchup. They’re a winning football team, very physical, very tough, extremely well-coached football team – no question about it. Jim Harbaugh is one of the best coaches of this generation, no question – I believe that. Even if he weren’t my brother, I would say the same thing.” That’s some brotherly love there. But it would not be the same on the ground.

While the players are ready, both brothers will be on the sidelines, dictating the plays. The 3rd matchup of the Harbaugh Bowl will be an exciting game for sure. Stay tuned for more of such interesting news about your favorite people from the football world.