John Harbaugh lands a top-four ranking on an impressive list of NFL coaches
John Harbaugh earns a respectable top-four ranking when stacked in a ranking vs. his peers.
Everybody we talk to... Everywhere we go... The vibes are the same... The conversations are similar. Everyone believes it's Super Bowl or bust for the Baltimore Ravens. Everyone is tired of the regular-season magic seemingly running out when their best is needed on the biggest stages.
Things came to a head during the collapse in the AFC Championship Game almost two years ago. Baltimore lost a home game to the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, wrongs were supposed to be righted. They weren't. Instead of finishing the story, the Ravens were ousted by the Buffalo Bills, this time during the Divisional Round.
No one has lost hope, as early indications are the rest of the division still isn't ready to soar with the two-time defending kings of the AFC North. The defense will be improved. The offense is loaded. Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP, is the catalyst for another shot at glory.
One of the game's best coaches will again be asked to conduct the symphony. John Harbaugh does his job just as well, if not better, than anyone, and one of our favorite platforms recently gave him the respect he has rightfully earned.
Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman recently ranked him fourth on a list of the NFL's top ten returning head coaches. Here's some of what he mentioned as his reason for doing so.
"Harbaugh perpetually has Baltimore contending for championships, but has not won a Super Bowl since the 2012 season. The Ravens have endured only two losing seasons since he took over in 2008. Baltimore's consistency is incredibly impressive, considering the team hasn't lost a game by more than one score since Week 18 of 2022, a contest in which their starters didn't even play."
No lies were told there. Here's more:
"At the center of Harbaugh's success is Lamar Jackson's development. Coming off an injury-plagued 2022 season in which he earned just a 72.3 PFF passing grade, Jackson and his team were at a crossroads. Since Todd Monken was brought in to be the Ravens' offensive coordinator in 2023, Jackson has become an unstoppable force, leading the NFL with a 95.1 PFF overall grade. As long as Harbaugh and Jackson are in the building, the Ravens will be AFC contenders."
And, with that, we repeat... It's Super Bowl or bust during the coming NFL campaign. Championship windows close quickly. The Ravens want another one, and they're loaded. They'd be wise not to squander the opportunity.
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