The third edition of the Harbaugh Bowl also goes to the elder brother….John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens triumphed over Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers (30-23) in a match that will only be described as shocking and saddening by many. Because the Chargers lost? No, they’ve already done that in their last four consecutive meetings with the Ravens. This time, what stole the show and fans’ peace was the Chargers’ dilapidated offense and defense in the second half—spearheaded by the team’s wide receiver Quentin Johnston…

The team dropped a pass. They missed a tackle. They owned more than a 7-minute advantage in time of possession in the first half, but finished with nearly a 2-minute disadvantage. And that’s just a few of the many mistakes. The Ravens converted on 53.3% of their third-down tries compared to the Chargers’ 35.7% success rate. And Johnston? Well, he had as CBS Sports describes: “The case of the dropsies.” 

The WR was targeted a total of five times by Justin Herbert throughout the game, but finished with three drops (all of which came in the fourth-quarter), zero catches and zero yards. The backbreaker, though, was the crucial third-and-6 early in the fourth quarter, following which the Ravens pulled off two touchdown drives to take a 30-16 lead with 7 minutes remaining, thus ending their opponent’s chances for a comeback, and breaking their four game winning streak. The Chargers are currently on a 7-4 record.

Jim Harbaugh, however, isn’t letting the heartbreaking loss get to him. In fact, he’s already ready with his new game plan, completely ignoring any critique directed in his WR’s way. In a post-game presser, when the HC was asked about Quentin’s drops, he stuck to being neutral: “I think we all have some things we wish we played, coached better. That’s how I feel. That’s my reaction.” Later, he also added, “We would have liked to have had more points. We just needed a few more conversions…I think everybody pours an incredible amount of effort and everything they have into these games. I was really pleased with our effort, valiant effort, and their side of the ball had valiant effort as well.”

Notably, when a reporter used the word “jarring” to describe Johnston’s drops, the HC said he disagreed with that use of the word.

But Johnston seems to fully realize what he’s done. While he’s improved from his difficult rookie season, catching six touchdown passes among his modest 22 receptions this season, the Chargers will need a bit more than that…“You kind of just learn not to dwell on it too much, and just try to put it past me as much as I can…Obviously I want to have catches back, but I can’t. So I can’t do anything but just learn from it. … I know I’ve got to get better,” the Chargers’ 2023 first-round pick WR said to The Associated Press’ Joe Reedy after the game.

Jim Harbaugh’s team was evidently overpowered in the physical aspect of the game as the Ravens put up 212 rushing yards, led by RB Derrick Henry’s 140. Justice Hill also executed a 51-yard touchdown run that put his team up by 14 points midway through the fourth quarter. Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson threw for 177 yards, two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, pushing his team to a 8-4 record. But if you thought the contest would drive the Harbaugh brothers far from each other, you’re wrong because it’s only brought them closer.

Upon being enquired about the post-game conversation John had with his little brother, he revealed, “I just told [Jim Harbaugh], ‘You’re a great coach, and you have a great team, and I love you.’ And he said, ‘I love you and congratulations.’ It was good.

You kind of live these things close to your heart, and these are just huge battles. [There are] huge battles every week in this league, and going against a team that is this well-coached, by all of their coaches and by my brother, Jim [Harbaugh] – the best coach in the National Football League – what he’s done with that team and how hard they play, and what they did, hats off to them, because they’re going to win a lot more football games this year, and they’re going to be a major factor in the playoffs,” the older brother further added.

Notably, it was the first time a rival team scored 200+ rushing yards against a team head coached by Jim Harbaugh in the NFL.

But yet, the same grace was also carried forward to the locker room…

Justin Herbert blames the entire locker room

The Chargers’ quarterback refused to single out anybody for the team’s loss. “I think that’s the tough part about the NFL. [Quentin Johnston is] a playmaker…He’s done an incredible job all year. You never want to see that. Just like when I throw an interception or when I miss a throw, he’s gonna come up to me and tell me, ‘hey, it’s the next play’. And that’s the way it is,” the QB said.

“Everyone in that locker room is professionals. Q will do a great job. I can give him better placement, better balls. It’s on all of us. It’s not just on him, it’s on me for the way I gotta deliver the ball. I gotta make sure we’re all on the same page. He’s an incredible player and I’m gonna keep throwing him the ball.”

“Keep battling,” he also added later.

Daiyan Henley also talked about his QB’s post-game message to the team: “Stay connected. It’s easy to stay connected after a win, we got to stay connected after we fall short. We know we got a long season and this one game does not define us. We’re trying to go farther than one game.”

That being said, Jim Harbaugh’s team is still in a pretty good spot. With 7 wins and 4 losses, they are 2nd in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs, who are on a 10-1 record currently. The locker room would be ready for the week 13 matchup against the Falcons on December 1. Do you think they’ll be able to bring back their momentum?