John Harbaugh on going for two: We were out of corners, tried to win game right there

Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Ravens scored a touchdown with 12 seconds left in Sunday’s game against the Steelers and they only needed an extra point to send the game into overtime, but Ravens head coach John Harbaugh opted to go for two and try for the win in regulation.

Tight end Mark Andrews got open, but Lamar Jackson‘s pass was a bit too far out of his reach and the Steelers won the game 20-19. After the game, Harbaugh said he chose to go for the win because they were “pretty much out of corners” due to injuries and he wanted to try to win the game “right there.”

Chris Westry was inactive and four other corners missed practice time during the week. One of them was Marlon Humphrey, who was ill during the week and picked up an injury during the game. Harbaugh didn’t note the nature of the injury, but said Humphrey is going for an MRI and it “could be a while” before he’s able to play again.

That would be a big blow to the Ravens defense as they work to hold onto the AFC North crown down the stretch.

20 responses to “John Harbaugh on going for two: We were out of corners, tried to win game right there

  1. It was a smart decision by Harbaugh. It was a great play call. It was there. Wide open. Almost made it. They would properly execute that play 9 out of ten times. The Ravens did everything right. Just couldn’t get perfect execution. It happens. Can’t really second guess anything unless you’re not being serious.

  2. I thought the exact same thing. Go for the win because the injury bug is biting again. Had LJ threw a better pass, we would be posting that Harbaugh is a genius.

  3. I was stunned (but happy) they didn’t run it to the outside. If Jackson had taken off as soon as the ball was snapped to him, he would have easily outrun everyone to the endzone because the defense was crashing the middle.

  4. Correct decision, don’t leave your fate to coin toss especially after Ravens defense had looked gassed and given up 17 points including 2 pts conversion in second half.

    TJ Watt was unblocked and made the play that won game. Ravens missed chances to go multiple scores up against this largely unimpressive Steelers offence. It shouldnt have come don’t to final play.

  5. Ravens fans, at what point do you just acknowledge the plain reality: Lamar is just a bad passer and not a good QB? His pick in the red zone was awful, he looks clueless under any pressure, and on the final play he was a nice 3 yards off on a throw he should have made. Forget the “Watt was in his face” comments. Good QBs make those throws. And his 250 yards were a mirage again given he only had 180 yards prior to the final drive when the Steelers went soft. What excuses do you have for his bad play today? Another game of 43 QBR. Can’t wait to hear your spin for the 6th game in a row.

  6. Kind of a strange reason to say to try and win it, there. If you win the coin flip, your defense may never see the field. I wish I had a dollar for every time Romo said for Mr Regular Season Lamar to just throw the ball. He got sacked 12 times and has 5 INTs, the last 3 wks. Teams know he does not make timely decisions under duress.

  7. Lamar is in his 4th year and refuses to learn how to diagnose defenses, understand what to do under pressure, or use a hot route. It’s not his O line’s fault. How much longer can you watch a guy who’s not a rookie think he can just out-scramble everyone when he’s pressured and keep getting sacked and losing yards, and then banging his hand on the ground in frustration? Or throwing bad picks in the red zone?

  8. All QBs throw picks, but for some reason, Lamar cannot throw any. Sure, he has limitations in passing the ball, but he has his legs and you tell me how QBs can consistently bring he team back when they are down like he has done this year. Always the negative stuff with Lamar, even when his team was first place in the conference.

  9. Nite2al: I wonder why we write negative things about Lamar… maybe because he’s been a big negative for the Ravens over the past 6 games in a row? The depth of excuses you provide for him is just mind-boggling. He’s killing your team, not helping them. Picks, missing wide open receivers, and clueless under pressure. And yet you keep telling us he’s great, and how it’s not his fault, all QBs make mistakes. Well, I disagree. Good QBs, let alone great ones, don’t play poorly 6 games in a row and keep making poor decisions and turning the ball over.

  10. I don’t think he’s great but I also don’t think he’s “killing the team”. He’s the reason they’re in some of these games. Seems like some folks have a hard-on to prove to people how bad he is, which I don’t understand.

  11. Non-Ravens fans just want to hear Ravens fans and the media simply acknowledge the truth: Lamar’s ok, not great. He’s not revolutionizing the position. He’s not the MVP. I don’t know why it’s so hard to state the facts. And now we can cue up the “but he’s won a zillion regular season games in only 4 seasons!” diatribe…

  12. I don’t think Lamar is bad, but I don’t think he’s elite either. To be elite you have to do it over and over again without having all the ‘tools’ ie players to do it with. Elite players make those plays over and over again. Elite players rise to it the majority of the time. It seems to me that instead of being a student of the game he’s counting on each time he gets into trouble he runs. NOT a good game plan. I KNOW he can throw the ball.. needs to better learn his position or he’ll be a #2 QB soon enough.

  13. I loved the dumb look on Harbaugh’s face when they lost. Always thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room. One day all of his dumb and selfish decisions will begin to backfire in his face, and I cannot wait for that day.

  14. IronCurtainComing says:
    December 5, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    Nite2al: I wonder why we write negative things about Lamar… maybe because he’s been a big negative for the Ravens over the past 6 games in a row? The depth of excuses you provide for him is just mind-boggling. He’s killing your team, not helping them. Picks, missing wide open receivers, and clueless under pressure. And yet you keep telling us he’s great, and how it’s not his fault, all QBs make mistakes. Well, I disagree. Good QBs, let alone great ones, don’t play poorly 6 games in a row and keep making poor decisions and turning the ball over.
    ________________________________________________________________

    Depth of excuses? I see every QB throw picks, hands down. But no one can do what Lamar does with his legs. Somehow he gets no credit for that. Team is first place in the division late in the season, what more can you ask for? What good QBs are you talking about? All of them have had stinkers this year. Mahomes was a turnover machine a few games ago and Brady threw picks that made no sense. But it’s okay, only Lamar has to live up to huge expectations like Superbowls, but no one else.

  15. For those saying Lamar his bad, then why are you talking about a failed 2-point conversion? In order to even attempt a 2-point conversion, you have to score a touch down. Which he did. Against a very good defense. I’m a Browns fans and would love to have a QB that is as clutch as Lamar is in the 4th quarter.

  16. Great QBs make that throw in their sleep. Heck, average QBs make that throw in their sleep.

    That’s not criticism – that’s just a fact.

  17. It seems to me that Jackson may be getting orders from above to not just take off and run at every opportunity. He’s hanging back and looking for open receivers.

    My guess is that the Ravens want to see some justification for giving him a big contract, which is odd if you think about it. He’s largely the reason for their success for the last four years, but I think they question what his play style will look like in 2-3 years. Will he fizzle out like Cam because he breaks down from all the hits?

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