Seeing familiar faces on the other side is nothing new in a league that can sometimes feel like a merry-go-round of transactions and coaching changes.

However, Monday night's game in Los Angeles will be unique even by the typical NFL standards.

Of course, there's the third historic matchup between brothers John and Jim Harbaugh. But it goes well beyond that with 16 former Ravens now donning powder blue.

From the coaching to the front office with general Manager Joe Hortiz, the Ravens and Chargers are built in the same likeness.

"The culture, the way things are done, how [the Chargers] play, the schemes [are] very similar," John Harbaugh said Wednesday.

"The schemes are, in a lot of ways not exactly the same, but in a lot of ways mirror images – the people coaching [and] a lot of the guys playing. But with that, it's two different football teams. It's two teams squaring off in a really important game, and that's what it's really going to be about."

While John and Jim's bond has more "emotional" significance on Monday's game than actual schematics, the fact that the Chargers have two former Ravens coaches as their offensive and defensive coordinators does have more of an impact.

Greg Roman was the Ravens' offensive coordinator from 2019-2022, the architect of their "revolutionary" and record-setting run-heavy offense with Lamar Jackson. The Ravens know his run scheme like the back of their hand.

Jesse Minter got his first NFL coaching job in Baltimore and was part of building the Ravens' defensive scheme before taking it to Vanderbilt and Michigan as a coordinator, and ultimately to Los Angeles following Jim.

"We know the schemes pretty much, but there will be wrinkles, there will be ideas," John Harbaugh said. "It's going to come down in the end to the players."

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said the Chargers' offense on tape is "somewhat similar" to what he remembers seeing from Roman's unit as a rookie. One big difference is Roman has Justin Herbert now instead of Jackson. Hamilton said Roman has done a good job adapting his offense to suit Herbert and his other players, but it's similar concepts at its core.

"They're playing with the big fullbacks and big tight ends, and it's hard-nosed football. You know where the ball's going, [and] you know what's going to happen – it's just, can you stop it or not," Hamilton said.

"There's some beauty in that. There's some ugliness in that, too – just the way that the game's played, but we're all tough guys. I think there are some similarities there that we're cognizant of, but at the end of the day, I'm sure he's going to have some wrinkles to keep us on our toes."

Jackson Expects Extra Fire From J.K. Dobbins

Beyond the scheme, the Ravens defense will now go against former teammates J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Bradley Bozeman.

Dobbins never got his full opportunity to showcase his talents in Baltimore because of injuries, and the Ravens opted not to bring any three back in free agency. Dobbins even told Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey earlier this season that the Ravens should've brought him back.

Patrick Queen brought some extra fire into last Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, and Jackson expects to see some of the same energy from Dobbins, who is having a resurgent season with 726 rushing yards (10th in the NFL) and eight rushing touchdowns (tied for sixth).

"I know [Dobbins and Edwards] are going to try to get after it. Those guys are going to get after it, but I don't have to try to stop those guys, so I'm not worried about it," Jackson said.

"I'm going to be worried about putting points on the board. But it's going to be great to see those guys. I just don't want them to have good games against us. That's all."

Jackson Credits Roman With Helping His Start

When Jackson won his first MVP in 2019, Roman was the NFL's Assistant Coach of the Year. Their success was intertwined.

Roman helped Jackson build Jackson's NFL foundation, and Todd Monken has put even more on Jackson's plate, allowing him to blossom as a passer.

Now Jackson has two MVPs and is a leading contender for a third. He was asked Wednesday about how he looks back on his time with Roman.

"It was good. We had a lot of success," Jackson said. "I won my first MVP with G-Ro's system. We had a lot of great seasons. I believe it was just short. It was just short; that's all." 

Following a tough day in Pittsburgh, Jackson is looking forward rather than backwards. He wants to get back on track versus the Chargers' top-ranked defense in points allowed per game (14.5). A faster start would go a long way.

Derrick Henry fumbled on the Ravens' second offensive snap in Pittsburgh and the offense scored just once on its first six drives. Even though Baltimore scored 35 points against Cincinnati the week before, the Ravens scored on just one of their first seven drives.

"We're not doing a good job of being consistent," Jackson said. "We have our moments where we go into the game [and] score on the first drive. Then, there's been a couple of weeks we haven't scored on the first drive, and it's just been taking us a little while to get [into] our groove. We have to work on that; that's the biggest thing for us right now."

Hamilton Feels Comfortable With Green Dot and Deep Safety

When Roquan Smith went out with a hamstring injury late in Sunday's game, Hamilton took over the "green dot" communication helmet, worn by the player who relays Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr's play call to his teammates.

While Smith has worn it during games, Hamilton said he's also had it in practice ever since the start of the season and is comfortable if he needs to do so again this weekend.

"I remember they never told me I had the mic in my helmet, so Day 1 of practice, I just heard 'Z.O.' in my ear, and it was a surprise, but I've gotten used to it now," Hamilton said.

"I remember rookie minicamp I came out here, and I had the dot, and that was definitely a lot different than now. My head was spinning, so I didn't really have a chance to get the guys the calls – I kind of feel bad for that. I've grown since then."

Hamilton also had new responsibilities playing more deep safety against the Steelers rather than closer to the line of scrimmage in nickel and dime formations. Harbaugh said that will be the formula moving forward with Hamilton alongside Ar'Darius Washington.

"I've always seen myself as a safety, a versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety," Hamilton said. "If I'm asked to go play safety, I feel like that's not an issue for me to play safety if I'm a safety."

Josh Johnson Has Unique Perspective on the Harbros

While there are several players who have played for both John and Jim Harbaugh, nobody has as much history with the Harbros as Josh Johnson.

Twenty years ago, Johnson was Jim Harbaugh's first quarterback when he was a first-time head coach at the University of San Diego. Johnson still remembers the recruiting visit, when Jim used pencils and ketchup bottles to talk about defensive fronts.

"He wanted to know what I knew and how I saw it. I thought that was great," Johnson said. "You have an NFL quarterback showing you the game and has an appetite for football. I thought I matched that energy."

Johnson had a record-breaking and championship-winning college football career under Jim's tutelage. When San Diego played on the East Coast, Johnson remembers John Harbaugh coming to the games and jumping in on the sideline to coach alongside his brother.

"It's just what they do," Johnson said with a laugh.

Johnson and Jim reunited in the NFL in 2012 and again in 2014 when Jim was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Now Johnson will be on the opposite sideline going against Jim as John's backup quarterback.

Asked to compare how John and Jim approach the job of coaching, Johnson said it's pretty similar.

"It's how can we push everything to the max to be great," Johnson said. "They love football. They have a father who's a coach who loves football. They put the time in and work. They commit to the process of being great."