Ravens: Vic Fangio’s angry comments are the epitome of hypocrisy

The Baltimore Ravens hurt Vic Fangio’s feelings on Sunday. No, it wasn’t the 23-7 drubbing that his Denver Broncos experienced at the hands of the Ravens nor was it the fact that his starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was knocked out of the game with a concussion.

Fangio was hurt because the Ravens ran a QB sweep with Lamar Jackson for five yards on the final play of the game.

Following an Anthony Averett interception with less than 10 seconds remaining, most assumed that the Ravens would kneel the ball and head into the locker room with a victory.

But head coach John Harbaugh had other plans in mind. Harbaugh wanted to make NFL history — or at least tie it.

The Ravens needed just three yards to reach 100 yards rushing on the day which would have extended their streak of 100-yard rushing days to 43, tying the 1974-1977 Pittsburgh Steelers for the longest streak in league history.

Harbaugh called the Jackson QB sweep and his star quarterback carried the ball along the sideline for five yards, thereby securing the record for Baltimore.

Fangio was visibly livid on the sideline. But perhaps he should have just has upset with his own late-game play calling.

Vic Fangio’s anger toward John Harbaugh and the Ravens is a prime example of hypocrisy

After the game, Fangio was asked about the Ravens’ decision to run on that final play, and, needless to say, he expressed his displeasure.

"“Yeah I thought it was kind of bulls–t but I expected it from them. 37 years in pro ball and I’ve never seen anything like that. But it was to be expected and we expected it. . . . I just know how they operate. That’s just their mode of operation there. Player safety is secondary.”"

On the surface, this take doesn’t seem too egregious. But when additional context is provided, the longtime NFL coach is presented as somewhat of a hypocrite.

Fangio and the Broncos had just called three timeouts on three consecutive plays with under 30 seconds to go while trailing 23-7.

The game was over. The Ravens had already won. Yet, the Broncos were still calling timeouts as they tried (and failed) to score a meaningless, garbage-time touchdown.

Did Fangio care about his player safety then?

The Broncos entered the game with seven starters sidelined. That number grew when starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was knocked out of the game in the second quarter.

Despite this, Fangio, by his own logic, risked the health of his players in an attempt to score a touchdown that meant absolutely nothing.

Vic Fangio did the exact same thing he cried ‘BS’ about after the game. The root of his anger wasn’t in a five-yard run on the last play of the game.

He was angry because his team couldn’t stop it.