Coaches typically avoid going for it on fourth-and-1 on their own 16-yard line when trailing 10-7 with just two minutes left in the first half. However, when facing your younger brother as the opposing coach, sometimes it’s necessary to be bold and take risks.
For John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens, this decision turned out to be a big success.
Mark Andrews’ 2-yard gain on a quarterback sneak not only allowed the Ravens to keep their drive alive, but it also led to a touchdown that gave them the lead over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.
This decision became a turning point in the Ravens’ 30-23 win, ensuring that John Harbaugh remains undefeated in three meetings with his younger brother, Jim Harbaugh.
“The downside is you give them the ball at the 16-yard line. That’s the downside. But the upside, or the thought, is I really thought we could get it,” John Harbaugh said. “It led to a 93-yard drive and got us seven points; that was a big turning point in the game.”
Five plays after Andrews’ sneak, Jackson threw a deep ball to Rashod Bateman, who made a contested catch for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens a 14-10 lead just before halftime.
“It was just discussions of what we were going to do, and I think the decision came down to just believing in the guys to go for a big fourth down,” Andrews said. “It was a great play. There was a lot of great plays made on critical downs like that, and it’s a credit to the guys.”
John Harbaugh admitted that playing against his brother influenced the decision.
“I’m not saying we’ll go for it all of the time either, but the overriding thing was who we were playing and the idea that you just have to try to hang on to possessions as long as you can, because they’re so good,” he said.
The Ravens were successful on all three fourth-down attempts. The other two came during a nearly seven-minute drive late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, ending with Andrews catching a 6-yard touchdown pass to extend the Ravens’ lead to 23-16.
The brothers shared a quick hug and handshake at midfield after the game. They had also hugged and talked briefly at midfield during pregame warmups.
This was the first time the Harbaugh brothers faced each other since Super Bowl 47 in 2013, when John’s Ravens defeated Jim’s San Francisco 49ers. The Ravens won that game 34-31 in New Orleans. They also played a regular-season game in 2011, which the Ravens won 16-6.
After leaving San Francisco in 2014, Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach at the University of Michigan. He coached there for nine years and won a national title before being hired by the Chargers.
“It’s just cool to be at this level, to be at the highest level in these competitive environments,” Jim Harbaugh said. “I congratulated him on the victory, and then, love you.”
Though players from both teams tried to downplay the hype around the Harbaugh Bowl, the Ravens were celebrating their win when the game ended.
“I just know our Harbaugh is 3-0,” said linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who played for the Chargers in 2022.
John Harbaugh also mentioned trying not to get caught up in the excitement, stressing that the game was determined by the players.
“It’s an amazing thing to look back to where we are from where we came. We had different paths. We grew up in the same room and have always lived our life side by side, but that’s not what the game is about,” he said. “The game really is about the players, and the players are always going to win the game or lose the game or whatever. I have so much respect for the players. Jim is the same way. We both try to treat our players with great respect, admiration and love, because that’s how we feel about them.”
Their parents, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, were celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary on Monday. They attended the first two games between the brothers but were spending Thanksgiving week in Bradenton, Florida, at their daughter Joanie’s house.
“I called and wished them happy wedding anniversary. I know Jim did the same. Jim and I texted back and forth before the game a little bit,” John said. “When you’re blessed enough to have parents who get along so well, love each other and are married for 63 years it gives you a good idea how it is supposed to work.
“It’s tough. They’re 100% happy and 100% disappointed at the same time. If you can imagine that, that’s how they feel right now.”
