Nothing comes easily in the NFL, not even for the elite teams. Play long enough, and you’ll have bad drives and less-than-stellar moments. At some point, the ‘good teams’ will lose to inferior opponents. The Baltimore Ravens got off to a slow start, beginning their 30th anniversary season with a 1-5 record.
That wasn’t what anyone expected, but that’s the hand they were dealt. Still, football doesn’t come with a reset button, so there was no time for any weeping. All the Ravens could do was knuckle up and take things one week (and game) at a time.
The bye week and the ‘all we got is us’ approach seem to be working relatively well. A three-game winning streak has positioned Baltimore with a 4-5 record, and they only trail the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers by a game with eight remaining (and two head-to-head matchups).
Everyone owes John Harbaugh an apology and some consideration for Coach of the Year.
Had you wagered that John Harbaugh’s job would have been called into question during the spring, you may have won a lot of bets. Jerry Glanville said it best, though once upon a time. The NFL stands for ‘Not For Long’. Fans and the media can be fickle. There’s a ‘What have you one for me lately?’ attitude that hovers over professional football.
Following a slow start, the Ravens plummeted from being one of the top teams on everyone’s power rankings to falling out of the top 15 entirely. Many labeled John Harbaugh as a coach on the hot seat. They said his voice in the locker room had grown stale.
Well, how do you like him now? He has taken advantage of the opportunity to reshape his narrative. The Ravens are now the favorites on many sportsbooks to win the AFC North. He has managed injuries. He has managed a demanding schedule. Coach Harbaugh is owed an apology, and while we’re at it, how about some early Coach of the Year consideration?
Yes, two months remain in this season, and anything can happen. Yes, there are more important conversations that need to be addressed, such as winning the next game. There are also other deserving candidates, like Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts) and Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots).
Keep an eye on this Ravens team and its head coach. This may turn out to be a truly special 30th anniversary season after all. The slow start could turn out to be another twist in what ultimately becomes a beautiful story.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Could Ravens’ John Harbaugh enter the Coach of the Year discussion?
