NFL – The last game of week 12 of the NFL promised us an exciting duel between John and Jim Harbaugh.
We parted with the two Harbaugh brothers one evening in February 2013 at the New Orleans Superdome in an emotional embrace that concluded Super Bowl XLVII and the 2012 season. That evening, John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens defeated Jim’s San Francisco 49ers in a spectacular game. Since then, the two brothers have never crossed paths in the NFL again… until this week 12 and the final duel between the Ravens and the Chargers.
John brings Jim to his own game
Upon his arrival at the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh announced his desire to implement a decidedly play-oriented game plan to build his offense. To do this, he recruited two former running backs from the Baltimore Ravens, namely Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, to continue this running game and take some of the load off Justin Herbert’s shoulders. A tactic that is paying off since with an average of 118 yards on the ground per game, the Chargers’ offense ranks among the 10 most effective teams in this sector, particularly with a very important JK Dobbins.
But the problem for Jim is that John also has a ground attack capable of breaking down any defense. Since the start of the season, the Chargers have the best defense in terms of points allowed with only 14.5 points per game. Offensive certainties which were shattered under the strikes of Derrick Henry (144 yards on the ground) and under the finishes of Justice Hill or Lamar Jackson, both authors of a rushing touchdown in this match.
The result was clear: For the first time this season, the Chargers allowed at least 30 points in a game and didn’t have enough offensive weapons to respond. As in Super Bowl LVII between the two men, John Harbaugh integrated perfectly into his brother’s defense to achieve far from anecdotal success in the AFC playoff race.
Since the start of his career, during the first three meetings between the two men, John Harbaugh has remained undefeated with three victories and no defeats. But there is no doubt that the two brothers will soon find themselves with Jim’s desire for revenge. A new clash that could take place this year if the Chargers and Ravens faced each other in the playoffs!
Crédit photo : Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
