Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Says Analytics Back His Risky Calls Against Chiefs, Some Fans Still Critical
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- After the Ravens had their first loss of the season, some fans are criticizing Coach John Harbaugh's choice to go for three 2-point conversions.
The game ended with the Chiefs winning 33-28 over the Ravens and fans believe those unsuccessful attempts lead to the teams loss.
Baltimore Ravens Lose To Kansas City Chiefs, 33-28
After the Ravens first touchdown, Harbaugh chose to go for two points rather than a field goal. It was unsuccessful. He also made called for a two-point conversion on a 4th down at the 50-yard line versus and punt.
"I keep reading all these articles this morning giving John Harbaugh credit for his analytics approach to the Ravens game at KC, saying all the 2-pt tries gave them 'the best chance to win'," tweeted Terry Taylor. "But if they'd just kicked the 3 XPs, they would have just needed a [field goal] to win late."
I keep reading all these articles this morning giving John Harbaugh credit for his analytics approach to the Ravens game at KC, saying all the 2-pt tries gave them "the best chance to win." But if they'd just kicked the 3 XPs, they would have just needed a FG to win late
— Terry Taylor (@theterrytaylor) September 23, 2019
"Bad day for coaching in the NFL. To Harbaugh and the Ravens going for 2pt conversion three times (you have Tucker)," said Joe Fischer.
Bad day for coaching in the NFL. To Harbaugh and the Ravens going for 2pt conversion three times (you have Tucker), to Bruce Arians taking the delay of game with 9 seconds left and a timeout just to miss a field goal, to whatever the hell Freddie Kitchens was doing last night.
— Joe Fischer III (@JoeFisch3) September 23, 2019
"Harbaugh is too arrogant to admit he was wrong but bet we run against Browns," said Mike Mullenix.
#Ravens Harbaugh and his coaches are in the THIRD game of the year. They know what they did last yr and got close, they wanted to see if they could take advantage of Chiefs secondary. Harbaugh is too arrogant to admit he was wrong but bet we run against Browns. #RavensFlock
— Mike Mullenix (@xinellumekim) September 23, 2019
"Ravens we had a chance to win but unfortunately John Harbaugh's dumb by not taking the extra point decisions cost us the game," said David A. Fuller.
Ravens we had a chance to win but unfortunately John Harbaugh's dumb by not taking the extra point decisions cost us the game. NFL mean Not For Long when you make stupid decisions that will cost you the game
— David A Fuller (@RealDavidFuller) September 23, 2019
It's easy to criticize after the Ravens lost, but Harbaugh said he was just following the analytics.
"There's an understandable outcry of criticism of Harbaugh's decisions to go for 3 2-point conversions, all of which he says were 'supported by analytics'," WJZ Sports Director Mark Viviano tweeted. "Analytics are part of every sport. They offer numerical probability, not a certainty. It's still sports and players gotta play."
There's an understandable outcry of criticism of Harbaugh's decisions to go for 3 2-point conversions, all of which he says were "supported by analytics." Analytics are part of EVERY sport. They offer numerical probability, not certainty. It's still sports & players gotta play.
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) September 22, 2019
When asked about the decisions, this is what Harbaugh said at the post-game press conference:
"All of those were clear analytic decisions to go for ," he said. "We're going to keep playing that way. We don't play scared."
Harbaugh on 3 failed 2 pt conversions in 33-28 defeat at KC:
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) September 22, 2019
"All of those were clear analytic decisions to go for 2...we're going to keep playing that way....we don't play scared."
Ravens (& other NFL teams) have Ivy League educated analysts on staff who crunch numbers & probabilities on when to go for 4th down & when to go for 2. There's that & there's a coaches gut instinct. Not sure what's at play on last decision. @WJZ
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) September 22, 2019
But others supported Harbaugh's decisions, saying he was playing to win against the Chiefs who have an amazing offense.
"I'm going against most of y'all. I like Harbaugh's aggressive decisions to go for two and go for it on fourth down," said one Twitter user.
I'm going against most of y'all. I like Harbaugh's aggressive decisions to go for two and go for it on fourth down. #Ravens
— Bmore Sports Commish (@jpfask) September 23, 2019
"I know I'm in the minority, but I like how aggressive Harbaugh was yesterday. There's no room for fear or being average in the NFL, especially on the road against an elite team. You want something? Go get it. It just didn't work for them this time.," said Towson University's assistant football coach Mike Fast.
I know I'm in the minority, but I like how aggressive Harbaugh was yesterday. There's no room for fear or being average in the NFL, especially on the road against an elite team. You want something? Go get it. It just didn't work for them this time. @Ravens #RavensFlock
— Coach Fast (@MikeFastNFL) September 23, 2019
Happy birthday Harbaugh thanks for the way you led the team and how you strive for excellence!!
— Gaige Minnich (@gaige_minnich) September 23, 2019
@RepBarbie88 Very impressed with the #Ravens yesterday. Love how John Harbaugh played to win. Loved how he handled the presser. 'we're gonna keep doing this.' THAT IS HOW YOU WIN. DONT confuse outcome with strategy. Mad respect for the #Ravens.
— pete.garofalo ❌ (@PGar500) September 23, 2019
So now we want to hear from you. Take our poll below: