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Three Times That John Harbaugh Has Turned Ravens Around

By Chris Schisler

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh coaches against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh coaches against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

A Tough Patch In 2009

Of the five straight playoff seasons, 2009 was the Ravens shakiest. Baltimore saw the Ravens go 9-7 in a truly up and down year of football. Things looked their bleakest in a tough patch in their schedule. The Ravens lost three straight games. The first loss was to the New England Patriots. Like the Steelers, the Patriots would become a hurdle the Ravens had to continuously prove they could get over.  Next the Ravens lost a 17-14 heart breaker to the Bengals. Finally the Ravens lost to the Minnesota Vikings. After a 17 point comeback against Brett Favre’s new team, the Ravens saw Steven Hauschka miss the game winning field goal.

The Ravens lost to three really good teams. The Patriots are always contenders. The Bengals always give the Ravens all they can ask for. Minnesota went to the NFC Championship Game that season. There was no shame in these three straight losses by a total of 11 points. It didn’t feel good though and it made making the playoffs hard.

The 2009 Ravens were in a situation similar to that of the current Ravens. After a 3-0 start the Ravens lost three straight. That year the Ravens never really found the magic formula. Every time it looked like they would rattle off some wins they got beaten and humbled. However it was good enough to get in the playoffs. The purple and black put a 33-14 hurting on the Patriots before losing in the divisional round to the Colts. That win against the Patriots was as glorious as any win in Ravens history (excluding the Super Bowls.)

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