Tag: Jim Harbaugh

Jim, John’s parents will not be in attendance for ‘HarBowl’ on Monday night

When Jim and John Harbaugh go toe-to-toe on Monday, their parents, Jack and Jackie, will not be watching from the stands.

When Jim and John Harbaugh go toe-to-toe on Monday, their parents, Jack and Jackie, will not be watching their sons from the stands at SoFi Stadium.

Instead, they’ll be in Florida to spend time with their daughter, Joani, their son-in-law, former Georgia men’s basketball coach Tom Crean, and their two grandchildren.

That’s also where they plan to celebrate Thanksgiving the following Thursday.

“We are choosing to go down there and celebrate Thanksgiving with them and be able to watch the game with them,” Jack said, per the Ravens official website. “And we’ll have a lot of fun and enjoyment doing that.”

Monday also holds significance because it marks Jack and Jackie’s 63rd wedding anniversary.

“Just go right back to Jackie. She was the head coach of them and still is,” Jack said. “They’ve had me around, but she’s been around them 14, 15, 16 hours a day when they were growing up.

“Back in 1957 in that biology class, I looked down into row number one in that class and four years later we were married. That was the decision that changed my life. … We’re just so blessed that Jackie’s with us and she’s still the head coach of the Harbaugh family.”

The brothers have faced off twice before the primetime matchup, including in Super Bowl XLVII when John’s Ravens defeated Jim’s 49ers in a close battle, with the final score being 34-31.

Harbaugh parents won’t be attending the Harbowl on Monday Night Football

Harbaugh parents will spend Thanksgiving with their daughter Joanie, her husband Tom Crean and their grandchildren

It’s not often that a super-hyped football game has the steak to match the sizzle, but Monday night definitely will.

The next edition of Monday Night Football sees John Harbaugh and the 7-4  Baltimore Ravens visit Jim Harbaugh and the 7-3 Los Angeles Chargers in a game with multi-layered significance.

Yes, the Harbaugh Bowl, or Harbowl, will feature some fierce sibling rivalry, and it will happen just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

But this contest also has major implications for the AFC playoff picture, so it’s a game with a lot of meaning outside all the Harbaugh households.

Unfortunately, the two Harbaugh parents will not be in attendance. While appearing on the Ravens’ official podcast, The Lounge, Jack Harbaugh said Monday night will see him and his wife, Jackie, heading to Florida, where they’ll be visiting their daughter Joanie (as you’ve certainly figured out by now, it’s mandated in this family that everybody has a first name that begins with J).

The Harbaugh parents will spend Thanksgiving with Joanie, her husband, former Georgia, Indiana, and Marquette men’s basketball coach Tom Crean, and their children, Jack and Jackie’s grandchildren.

“We are choosing to go down there and celebrate Thanksgiving with them and be able to watch the game with them,” Jack said.

“And we’ll have a lot of fun and enjoyment doing that.”

Monday night’s game also falls on Jack and Jackie’s 63rd wedding anniversary.

Jim Harbaugh looking to beat brother for first time: ‘Back on a team that has a chance’

After nine seasons of coaching in the college ranks, Jim returned to the NFL and will have another opportunity to beat his brother.

The Chargers and Ravens will meet this Monday night, marking the third time Jim and John Harbaugh will face off against each other.

The last time the two brothers went head-to-head was nearly 12 years ago in Super Bowl XLVII at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA, when Jim was the head coach of the 49ers.

The Ravens, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, opened with a strong first half with a 21-6 lead by halftime. Up 28-6, a power outage put America’s biggest sporting event on hold for over thirty minutes.

Soon after, the 49ers responded in the second half with 17 unanswered points, including a 31-yard touchdown pass by Colin Kaepernick, to make it 28-23. San Francisco trailed 34-29 at the two-minute warning, but a turnover on downs followed by an intentional safety cost them the game. 

Baltimore won by the score of 34-31. Flacco finished with three touchdown passes, and Jacoby Jones returned a kickoff 108 yards for a score.

“That loss was tough, but after some reflection and time, it’s my brother and best friend,” Jim said. “I’m really proud of him and happy for his success. It was earned.”

After nine seasons in the college ranks and leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship, Jim returned to the NFL with another opportunity to beat his brother for the first time.

“Walking off the field at that Super Bowl was like, there will be another day. And then there wasn’t for many years and it looked like I wouldn’t have a chance for another day,” Jim added. “But by the grace of God, I’m back in it and back on a team that has a chance.”

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Ravens?

Find out who experts are picking between the Chargers and Ravens.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 3-point underdogs to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 of the 2024 regular season. The over/under is 51 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 51 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 30-27 win for the Chargers, with a total of 57 points. So, if I were putting money based on my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts give a slight nod to Baltimore.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Ravens
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Ravens
Mike Clay (ESPN) Ravens
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Ravens
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Chargers
NFL.com Staff Ravens (4-1)
Bleacher Report Ravens

Monday’s game will begin at 5:15 p.m. PT and be televised on ESPN.

5 Ravens players to watch in Week 12 vs. Chargers

The Ravens pose several problems for the Chargers in Week 12, led by their dominant rushing attack.

With four straight victories, the Chargers are now set for a huge primetime matchup against the Ravens. Baltimore is coming off a close loss to their division rival, the Steelers, so they’ll be coming in fired up.

Here are some players to watch from Baltimore’s side of the ball on Monday evening:

WR Zay Flowers

Flowers is the Ravens’ best wideout and most dangerous pass catcher. His 727 receiving yards rank fifth, and he’s particularly potent after the catch. In that aspect, he ranks 10th in the NFL, with 362 yards coming after the catch. The Chargers secondary will need to keep tabs on him at all times, as he could pose them with some serious problems.

C Tyler Linderbaum

Linderbaum has developed into one of the best centers in all of football. According to Pro Football Focus, he dominates opposing defensive lines and has an elite 83.2 overall grade this year. If the interior part of the Chargers’ defensive line allows him to dominate, it may be a long night, particularly in the run game. The Ravens are second in the NFL in rushing with 177.3 yards per contest, and Linderbaum is a big reason for that.

DT Nnamdi Madubuike

Madubuike has a similar effect on the defensive line as Linderbaum does on the offensive line. He’s quietly one of the most underrated defensive lineman in football. His $98 million contract extension in March has proved its worth thus far, as he has racked up 5.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and 26 total tackles. Center Bradley Bozeman is the weakness of the Chargers’ offensive line, and they may be exposed on Monday against Madubuike.

EDGE Odafe Oweh

Oweh, a former first-round pick out of Penn State, is coming off a stellar performance. He tied his career high with 2.5 sacks against the Steelers in Week 11, as he was disruptive all game long. In 2024, he’s up to 7.0 sacks, already the most he’s had in a season. The Chargers’ elite offensive tackle duo must keep Oweh away (get it?) from Justin Herbert.

S Kyle Hamilton

No one understood how he fell to the Ravens at No. 14 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He was an All-Pro honoree in 2023 and seems well on his way to another appearance this season. His 81 total tackles already match his career high, and he’s added two sacks, seven pass deflections, a forced fumble, and three tackles for loss. Herbert must always monitor Hamilton on the backend.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 12 opponent: Ravens

Here are some important things to know about the Ravens ahead of the Week 12 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are at home to face the Ravens in primetime on Monday, Nov. 25, at 5:15 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 12 bout, here are a few key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Ravens are 7-4 on the season, with their most recent game being a loss to the Steelers.

Harbowl II

Jim and John Harbaugh will meet for the second time. Harbowl I occurred in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers 34-31.

Running up the scoreboard

The Ravens have been a problem to opposing defenses this season. Baltimore is averaging the second-most points in the NFL (30.4).

Lamar is legit

One of the main reasons the Ravens’ offense is impactful is Lamar Jackson’s play. Jackson has thrown for 2,876 yards and 25 touchdowns with three interceptions. He ranks first in EPA/play and success rate. Along with being a prolific passer, Jackson is lethal with his legs. He’s carried the ball 95 times for 584 yards and two scores.

All hail King Henry

The Ravens’ acquisition of Derrick Henry this past offseason has paid dividends. The former Titan has run wild this season, leading the league in yards (1,185), rushing touchdowns (13), and 20+ yard rushing plays (13). Between Jackson and Henry, Baltimore is averaging a whopping 177.3 yards per game on the ground.

Uneven defense

The Ravens have been stout against the run, allowing just 77.5 yards per game, which ranks No. 2 in the league. However, Baltimore has been torched through the air. They’ve given up the most passes (39.5) and passing yards per game (284.5).

Look out for…

Zay Flowers. Flowers, the second-year wide receiver, has established himself as Jackson’s top target. He has the fifth-most receiving yards (727) and is nearly always bound to make a big play.

Jim Harbaugh dropped an unexpectedly hysterical Black Eyed Peas reference in presser

We’ve got a feeling you’ll like this video.

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has a big prime-time game coming up next Monday against his brother, John Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens.

When talking about playing a prime-time game, Jim Harbaugh made a very unexpected reference to the song “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas.

“Tonight’s gonna be a good night,” Harbaugh said about why he likes prime-time games, which is directly lifted from the 2009 Black Eyed Peas song.

When asked if he’s a Black Eyed Peas fan, Harbaugh said with a smile, “Who isn’t, right?”

While Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel might be the funniest coach in the NFL, Harbaugh’s quips like this are absolutely hysterical.

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Harbaugh Bowl, or “Harbowl” should be a major battle of wits

Every football game is a fierce battle of wits, but it takes on added and deeper level when it’s brother versus brother.

The second-ever Harbaugh Bowl, which we can call the “Harbowl” (as portmanteaus are all the rage these days), will soon be upon us.

Monday night, John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens will be on the opposite side of the country, in Los Angeles, where they’ll take on his brother Jim’s Chargers. 

Harbowl I occurred in Super Bowl XLVII, in 2013 when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s San Francisco 49ers 34-31. Meetings between the Harbaugh siblings are rare, and that’s what makes them all the more special. 

Every football game is a fierce battle of wits, but it takes on an added and deeper level when it’s brother versus brother. Each man probably thinks that he knows all that there is to know about his opponent.

I also realize that the man on the opposite sideline almost certainly feels the same way about him.  It’s somewhat reminiscent of a famous Sir Winston Churchill quote about warfare:

“Always remember, however sure you are that you could easily win, that there would not be a war if the other man did not think he also had a chance.”

And the Harbaugh brothers are two intellectuals who have, in the past, provided articulate public commentary on social matters transcending football.

At 2017 Big Ten Media Day, Jim discussed his plans to take his Michigan Wolverines squad on an upcoming trip to Paris and Normandy. He did so by referencing the Rome trip he took his team on the previous year.

“I think it was A+ on all levels,” Jim Harbaugh told The Sports Bank, regarding his voyage to the eternal city. He added that the trip was also a chance to “make the world your classroom.”

I can’t think of a better endorsement for the concept of travel than that.

As for John, back in September 2020, when NFL players were protesting police brutality and racial injustice in the legal system during the playing of the national anthem, he gave a very passionate take.

“I don’t know how you can criticize someone for being passionate and for believing in something important to them,” Harbaugh said in an interview with NBC Sports.

“They want America to be great, and to realize the ideals we were founded on.”

John Harbaugh seemed to understand the Black Lives Matter movement better than most other NFL head coaches.

These are two thoughtful guys, so we should expect a very heady game.

 

Chargers players explain why 2024 team ‘feels different’

Fans can feel the difference this season, and the players admit the same.

The Chargers nearly let one get away from them in Week 11 against the Bengals. Unlike in recent similar situations, the Chargers persevered and pulled out a victory this time around.

With Jim Harbaugh leading the team, this game felt different. The Bengals erased a 21-point deficit, but Los Angeles’ defense made a few crucial stops while the offense scored a game-winning touchdown.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley put in another stellar performance with a team-high 11 tackles on Sunday. After the game, he admitted that this year’s team feels different.

“This is a different team. This is not what the Chargers have been or what the fans here are used to… And the best part about it was that we rallied together.”

In previous years, the Chargers have lost several of these close, one-score contests. Not this time around, though.

Los Angeles improved to 7-3 with their fourth straight win and are in a great spot for the postseason. Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who is in his fourth year with the team, echoed a very similar sentiment.

“Resiliency. Poise. Mental toughness. That’s the culture around here now,” Slater said after the primetime victory.

This isn’t a team that is still run by incompetent coaching. Instead, the Chargers now have one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL led by Harbaugh.

Fans can feel the difference this season, and the players admit the same.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 11

Even after allowing 27 points, the Chargers still have the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL.

The Chargers improved to 7-3 after beating the Bengals in Week 11.

Justin Herbert was lights out in the first half until he wasn’t. He and the rest of the offense stalled in the second half before engineering a game-winning drive. The defense allowed more than 20 points for the first time this season.

With Week 12 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 22.0 ppg 18th
Passing offense 204.8 ypg 19th
Rushing offense 121.6 ypg 12th
Total offense 326.4 ypg 18th
3rd down conversions 38.81% 15th
Red zone scoring 53.85% 21st
Sacks allowed 26 19th
Turnovers 5 T-1st

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 14.5 ppg 1st
Passing defense 206.6 ypg 12th
Rushing defense 110.5 ypg 11th
Total defense 317.1 ypg 11th
3rd down conversions 32.33% 2nd
Red zone defense 40.91% 2nd
Sacks 34 T-4th
Takeaways 13 13th