Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh has either forgotten about one of the prevailing criticisms of his team in the recent past, or he never heard it in the first place. The former is probably easier to believe than the latter. There’s also the possibility that he just didn’t want to give the narrative any air, particularly the day after a pulsating 41-38 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
Their third consecutive victory after an 0-2 start allowed the Ravens to wake up Monday morning atop the AFC North. Advertisement So when Harbaugh was asked Monday about the criticism that the Ravens tend to “panic” when they get behind by double digits, he turned the question around. “Maybe we should get credit for the number of times we’ve come back from double-digit deficits,” he said.
Add Sunday’s game to the list. The Ravens faced deficits in the second half of 24-14, 31-21 and 38-28 before scoring the game’s final 13 points over the last 5 1/2 minutes of regulation and the overtime period. Justin Tucker kicked the game-winning 24-yard field goal in OT after his 56-yard make with 95 seconds left in regulation tied the game.
“I’d rather be up by double digits and hold a lead, but it’s good to know you can do it,” Harbaugh said. For the Ravens, this season is always going to be defined by what they do when/if they make the playoffs. Last season’s AFC championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs , along with early playoff exits in three .