Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is crucial for the Baltimore Ravens. A loss would put them at 4-5 and Pittsburgh would have a command on the AFC North at 5-2-1.
But it’s especially important for coach John Harbaugh.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “pressure is mounting” on the Ravens coach to turn the team’s season around. The Ravens have lost three of their last four games and Baltimore hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014.
Per Rapoport:
While a midseason coaching change isn’t expected, it hasn’t been ruled out, either. A particularly disastrous defeat would send the higher-ups into the bye week with some very real questions and time to ponder their future.
Wins need to come or changes will be made.
After last season, owner Steve Bisciotti admitted he thought about firing Harbaugh, but ultimately decided against it. He said he was proud of the Ravens fought back in the last part of the half of the season. Baltimore won five of its last seven games, though missed the playoffs after losing in Week 17 to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bisciotti did not give a “playoffs-or-else mandate” to Harbaugh this season. But it certainly appears to be heading that way.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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