Sunday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers included a curious coaching decision from Baltimore coach John Harbaugh.
Baltimore held a 7-3 lead late in the first half and was well-positioned to build on that lead. Facing a third-and-three, Lamar Jackson dropped back to pass but the pocket collapsed around him. After avoiding the rush of Khalil Mack, Jackson scrambled to his left. As Jackson neared the first down marker, he was met by Los Angeles linebacker, Kenneth Murray. Murray forced Jackson out of bounds, but the quarterback seemed to get the ball ahead of the first down marker.
Only, the officials didn’t agree, marking Jackson just short. Television replays indicated that Jackson did get the ball across and Baltimore likely would have won a challenge. But instead of challenging, the Ravens rushed to the line of scrimmage to go for a 4th-and-1. Baltimore called for a direct snap to Gus Edwards, who was stopped short of the first down marker.
Curious decision from John Harbaugh and the Ravens.
Lamar Jackson is ruled short on a third down. While replays showed that he likely would have won a challenge, the Ravens hurry up and go for it on 4th-and-inches.
And the Chargers stop the Ravens for the turnover on downs. pic.twitter.com/9HnoTYodb7
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 27, 2023
Harbaugh’s decision to not challenge was heavily criticized.
John Harbaugh you need to challenge that btw
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) November 27, 2023
all harbaugh had to do was look at the jumbotron and challenge. couldn’t even do that
— 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘 ☃️🎄 (@AtlanticArctic) November 27, 2023
Sometimes you wonder what goes through coaches head. You got ton of staff, someone has to tell him to challenge or better yet don't go wildcat on 4th down and take ball out of Lamar's hands. https://t.co/hC0ex9YrAj
— Brad Haines (@coachhaines22) November 27, 2023
I cannot believe Harbaugh didn’t challenge that spot
I also cannot believe he called THAT on 4th and inches
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) November 27, 2023
Ravens fans be honest,
Is Harbaugh a good coach?
Because he just missed the easiest challenge win of all time.
— PickensBurgh🫡 (Tino) (@PickensBurgh) November 27, 2023
How are there not guys telling Harbaugh to challenge that?
In 2021 I was screaming at Lafleur to challenge something and he actually listened and we won the challenge.
No one from upstairs called down and he thanked me after. There needs to be a guy for that.
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) November 27, 2023
Replay reviews can certainly be tricky. But this one seemed fairly definitive. Furthermore, NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said that Harbaugh and the Ravens likely would have a challenge.
As he was explaining that Baltimore “probably should have challenged,” the Chargers turned the ball back over to the Ravens on a Keenan Allen fumble.
Terry McAulay confirms that the Ravens likely would have won a challenge.
And as he does it, the Chargers turn the ball back over to the Ravens. pic.twitter.com/ljWvCg2B4U
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 27, 2023
Rushing to the line of scrimmage for a quick snap is usually something the offense does if it thinks it might have benefited from a bad call. There was simply no need to do that here. There was plenty of time for the Ravens to look at the replays and advise the coach to challenge.
[Photo Credit: NBC]
