Baltimore Ravens’ Head Coach John Harbaugh is facing a ton of backlash after the Ravens blew a 15-point lead to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. Entering Week 2, the pressure remains intense. It is not a make-or-break week by any means, but if the team disappoints yet again, many expect Harbaugh to be on the hot seat.
While Harbaugh is not clear of his fair share of the blame, that loss against Buffalo could be pinned on many different players and coaches. Whether it was the lackluster play from the defense late in the game, offensive miscues, or questionable playcalls, their Week 1 loss was the perfect storm of mistakes that led to the fourth quarter meltdown. With all those moving parts, Baltimore legend Terrell Suggs does not believe Harbaugh should hold most of the blame.
In an interview with Bobby Trosset and Sarah Ellison on their podcast, “The Vault,” Suggs dove into what the mindset of a player is like. After so many disappointing losses in recent years, he still firmly believes Harbaugh is the right man for the job.
“I think very little [blame deserves to be put on Harbaugh]. I think we had a firm understanding as players that when you cross them white lines, nobody can save you. Only you can save you,” Suggs said. “You got to go out there and execute, and as we clearly see, the plan was working…At some point, the players have got to be accountable.”
Terrell Suggs fires back at John Harbaugh critics amid post-loss backlash
The blame on Harbaugh is understandable, and to an extent, it is warranted. In the last several seasons, Baltimore has blown more big leads than they would like to, and has also struggled in the playoffs. There is an increase of pressure to capture a Super Bowl with a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback like Lamar Jackson at the helm, which is likely part of the reason Harbaugh has endured so much blame.
However, Suggs hit the nail on the head with players needing to execute. Whatever the play call or situation may be, players are entrusted to make the right decisions and win every rep. That did not happen against Buffalo.
Against the Browns, Harbaugh has an opportunity to prove everyone wrong with a dominant win over a division rival. It is not like he has much to prove; he is one the winningest head coaches in NFL history, but with so much talk about him being on the hot seat, a strong four-quarter performance will silence all those doubters.