When Jim Harbaugh met brother John for the postgame handshake following Super Bowl XLVII, he figured he’d get a chance to avenge the setback someday.
Nearly 12 years later, the two Harbaughs will be back on the same field as NFL head coaches when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.
Both teams are in the playoff mix with Baltimore holding a 7-4 record and the Chargers sitting at 7-3.
John Harbaugh has won both NFL matchups against his brother, including the Ravens’ 34-31 win over Jim’s San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl following the 2012 regular season.
The other meeting was on Thanksgiving Day in 2011 when host Baltimore won a 16-6 decision.
Now, the hype train is on overload as the siblings prepare to face one another again.
“It’s a tough matchup,” 62-year-old John Harbaugh said of the contest on Wednesday. “Winning football team. Extremely well-coached football team, no doubt about it. One of the best coaches of our generation. Even if he wasn’t my brother, I’d say that.”
Jim Harbaugh, 60, is back in the NFL after coaching Michigan for nine seasons and winning last season’s national championship. He previously spent four seasons leading the 49ers.
Being part of the college ranks made the wait longer for Jim to face John, who is in his 17th season as coach of the Ravens.
Those memories of being on the wrong side of the Super Bowl outcome took a while to dissipate.
“At the time, that was tough,” Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. “After some time and reflection went by, it’s my brother, it’s my best friend. Really proud of him. Really happy for his success. It was earned.”
Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton said being part of the brotherly rivalry is a unique deal.
“From his perspective, he’s done a good job managing emotions,” Hamilton said of John Harbaugh. “We still have a game to play, but I think everybody understands it’s kind of historic and it’s cool to be part of history.”
Both coaches made remarks suggesting they didn’t want their brotherly battle to overshadow the pivotal AFC contest.
The Ravens are in second place in the AFC North, one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore is 4-4 against AFC foes.
The Chargers are two games behind the first-place Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. Los Angeles is a solid 5-2 against fellow AFC teams.
Baltimore lost 18-16 to the host Steelers last week after winning seven of its previous eight games. The Chargers have won four straight games after notching a 34-27 victory over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Both teams employ quarterbacks having solid campaigns.
Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson of Baltimore ranks second in the NFL in passing yardage (2,876) and touchdown passes (25). He has been intercepted just three times and has rushed for 584 yards and two scores.
Justin Herbert of the Chargers has been intercepted just once. He has thrown for 2,186 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“His talent, the effort that he puts in. Everything that you can say good about a quarterback and then some,” Jim Harbaugh said regarding what he likes about Herbert. “Talent and effort, and then intangibles that are off the charts. Any measurable you can have for a quarterback, tangible or intangible, he possesses at the elite, highest level.”
Ravens star middle linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) missed practice on Thursday. The NFL co-leader in tackles (110) was hurt against the Steelers.
Also sitting out practice for Baltimore were receiver Nelson Agholor (illness), cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf), safety Sanoussi Kane (ankle) and defensive lineman Travis Jones (ankle).
Chargers rookie receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) sat out practice Thursday. He was injured against the Bengals.
Middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle) and safety AJ Finley (ankle) also sat out practice.
The Ravens have won the teams’ past four regular-season meetings, but the host Chargers recorded a 23-17 wild-card victory over Baltimore following the 2018 regular season.
–Field Level Media
