The John Harbaugh/Joe Flacco duo had never lost a game against an NFC opponent in front of their home crowd at M&T Bank Stadium — until today. Aaron Rodgers‘ Green Bay Packers edged Baltimore 19-17, dropping the defending champs to 3-3 and second place in the AFC North behind the Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) after their overtime victory at Buffalo.
Another slow start by Baltimore’s offense forced them to dig out of a 9-0 hole on the third quarter, but a pair of coaching decisions by Harbaugh and company may have been more to blame.
Down by just a field goal, the Ravens put together a nine-play drive from their own 33 yard line and had four more chances to put the ball in the end zone. After failing three times on the right side with Ray Rice, they chose to hand the ball to Bernard Pierce on the left side on 4th and 1 and were stopped on the one yard line. Had the Ravens taken the easy field goal they would have tied the game at three.
Asked Harb about going for TD on 4th & goal- they were stopped w no points. Harb says good decision, no 2nd guess.
— Mark Viviano (@MarkViviano) October 13, 2013
Things got even worse with 20 seconds remaining before halftime. Joe Flacco threw incomplete to Torrey Smith on 1st and 10 from the Baltimore 34, then was strip-sacked on the next play allowing the Packers to kick a 31 yard field goal before the two teams headed to the locker room. Why the Ravens didn’t just take a knee to run out the clock is beyond me.
That’s six easy points that poor coaching decisions cost the Ravens, they lost by three.
I don’t mind the going for it on 4th down its early in the game and you are going against Rodgers. but why run it each time, I would have had Joe roll out, and look for an option to pass. however the play at the end of the 2nd quarter, a knew would have been better then multiple attempts at a prayer.
And why not try the 55yd field in the 1st quarter instead of a punt into the end zone???!!
Harbs is not an Xs and Os kind of coach, he’s more of a game manager. He’s had a lot of talent around him and made the most out of it. Let’s see how he does with a less talented team, it’ll be interesting. Still believe this is a 10-6 playoff team.
Going on fourth was a good decision. However, if feel that they should have gone on a QB sneak on either of the last three downs.
And thus people will soon see that Harbaugh is nothing, nothing but a coach who looked good because of the players and coaches that were around him. Harbaugh couldn’t coach the Cape St. Clair 9-10 year olds.
Gone are the assistant coaches he could blame like Cam Cameron, etc.
Now you will see that Harbaugh is nothing but an over-glorified Special Teams coach.
He’s trying to make an average QB like Flacco into Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers. Not happening. And don’t even try the, but Flacco took us to the Super Bowl crap. Really? You really think it was Flacco and not the intensity of Ray Lewis? or Anquan Boldins acrobatic catches all year?Or the two defensive players that screwed up coverage in the post season and let Jacoby Jones get behind them? Even then, Jones had to stand and wait for the ball to get to him from the supposedly strong armed Flacco who under-threw Jones both times.
Harbaugh throws all game but decides to run 4 straight times at the goal. 3 to the right and 1 to the left. Really? Where is the Peyton Manning bootleg?
And the halftime? Harbaugh is freaking clueless. How about last week right before the half with about 56 seconds left and the Ravens had 3 timeouts left. Harbaugh lets the clock run down on a couple plays then with about 10 seconds left and the Ravens at or near their 46 yard line Harbaugh calls timeout! For what?
Harbaugh and Flacco will be seen for what they are now, an overrated QB and a clueless head coach. Both, who relied on others to make them look good.
Amen Ravens2488. The Ravens gave this knucklehead an extension too. Harbaugh is in way over his head and without the two hall of famers there to keep things in order he will be exposed.
I have said all along Harbaugh will miss his ‘on field’ coaches and prove to all he is below average,,,,,,,,,,the veteran savvy from Lewis , Reed , Boldin , Birk , Pollard brought the ring to the great fans of Baltimore not Harbaugh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ravens 2488 is right on and it’s too bad Steve extended this fraud of a coach before he proved himself,,,,,,,,,,,Now Steve has wasted more good money , as for Flacco , he is above average but needs a very good supporting cast around him , which doesn’t exist,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it’s time for a ‘gut feeling’ from Steve because this coach is incapable of ‘coaching ’em up’,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The spy has spoken…………………
spy – Glad to see you chiming in.
Hey, look, give some serious thought to coming to the cornhole event on 2 November. Me and 2488 promise to at least buy you a beer a piece.
Thanks for the invite,,,,,,,,problem is , it may be a set up so the Intimidator can experiment with his brass knuckles and I usually don’t carry my 357 all the time………….
By the way , I do have a permit to carry as I handle large sums of cash , boy that was a chore getting a permit , you would have thought we lived in Russia,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Some people do think this state is part of China………………Thanks anyway MGW , it was great fun battling wits with you this past baseball season,,take care………..
spy, you don’t have to worry about the Intimidator, me and 2488 can handle our own and we have your back. Plenty of law enforcement type buddies in attendance, as well. 2488 and I were supposed to meet you at North Point a few years ago, but we missed each other. Come on out and meet the crew, you have nothing to worry about, we take care of our own.
I was really just kidding,,,,,,,,,but you don’t need some old geezer intertwining with you younger guys,,,,,,,,,I do appreciate the invite though , hope everyone has a good time playing with each others corn hole…………………..
Spy… What is said on here stays on here… I’m not looking for you outside of here… We’re adults not 12 year olds… Plus I’m not going to no corncob tournament.
Thanks for the words of encouragement ,but this stuff is not my cup of tea,,,,,,,,,,,,, I thought for sure you would be anxious to play with their corn holes but I may have you mixed up with the incher……………..
spy, I think we’re older than you think. Half-century mark- plus for 2488 and me. You don’t have to play the game, just come out and share a beer and meet the crew. You aint doing nothing on Saturday afternoon anyway, that’s not “sandbox” time. Two free beers, at least…2488 and me. Shine up the Corvette and stop making excuses.
Spy, come on out. It’s at a public place. At least for half an hour. I’m not playing cornhole, I’m just coming out for the fun. First two are on MGW and myself. Come on, lets put faces to the messages. Zach will even be there as well. You can spare 1/2 an hour for free beers.
Thanks again guys for the invite , but it’s just not me, plus I don’t drink,,,,,,,,,you guys are more than generous but my weekends are pretty full,,,,,,,I’m really lucky to find time to post any more,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,enjoy the weekend and good luck to the Ravens , they might need it…………….
p.s. to MGW , were you able to see any of the wonderful Aces at work in the playoffs yet ?
I know you don’t think the O’s need one but it sure would be nice…………..
You heard it here first, Orioles to sign an ace this off season, paying the highest ever free agent in O’s history.
Spy, you coming down to see the O’s in Sarasota? We are one man short.
spy, would love the Os to have an Ace. There are none in the 2014 class.
A trade? Price or Scherzer? Great! Who are we trading to get them?
Did you read this article? http://baltimoresportsreport.com/orioles-top-ten-prospects-45326.html
The cupboard is bare, my man.
Keep wishing, and hoping, and dreaming.