Days later, there are aspects and moments from the Baltimore Ravens‘ collapse vs. the Buffalo Bills that we can’t stop discussing. What if Tyer Loop didn’t miss that extra point? What if Derrick Henry didn’t fumble? What if Baltimore had run their offense rather than trying to kill the clock on their first two plays of their final offensive drive, if that is indeed what they were doing?
Even now, it doesn’t seem very clear. Were the Ravens playing the clock management game, or was the goal always to try to move the chains? Indeed, they wanted to end the game in victory formation, but when Lamar Jackson’s final pass landed in the waiting hands of DeAndre Hopkins short of the marker, a decision needed to be made.
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John Harbaugh and his staff elected to punt. There isn’t a football fan walking who doesn’t know how things turned out.
Since Sunday night’s loss, Harbaugh has been second-guessed. Panic has set in, and some are even asking if Baltimore will ever win the big game. Lamar Jackson offered his explanation for the decision after the match, citing issues with cramps. Still, he also took a huge shot after throwing his final pass, one that created concern on the Ravens’ sideline and, possibly, a change in strategy.
Coach Harbaugh spoke with media members on Monday afternoon. He offered the following, in essence, doubling down on his decision.
“Lamar [Jackson] was coming off the field at that point, I could see that something wasn’t quite right, (but the thoery on a field goal try was) if we get it, we win the game. If we don’t get it, they’re in field goal range. I’m not shying away from putting my defense out there. I trust our defense, and I’m going to trust our defense this year in a lot of big situations because our defense is going to be really, really good.”
Honestly, he isn’t wrong. Most of the NFL’s coaches probably would have made the same decision in his situation—the chances of fourth-down success decrease without Lamar Jackson on the field. There’s knowledge that Baltimore surrenders three points to Buffalo if the attempt fails, and yes, in theory, he was right to trust his defense. Unfortunately, the gamble didn’t pay off, but you’d like to think one of your prized offseason acquisitions, Jaire Alexander, wouldn’t surrender two long throws on the final drive.
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Hindsight is always seen in 20-20 vision. The results weren’t desirable, but Baltimore is still one of the AFC’s best teams. Coach Harbaugh is still under fire, but he understands that’s one of the hazards of being an NFL head coach.
If there are bright sides to this, they are as follows. First, this will make this team better. Second, it’s better to learn these lessons early rather than in January.
Baltimore will learn from this. Remember, they lost heartbreakingly in Week 1 last season. Harbaugh is the second-longest-tenured head coach at football’s highest level. This organization’s stability will carry them. Rest easy. Things will be okay.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: John Harbaugh doubles down on bold Week 1 Ravens fourth-down call