When Jim Harbaugh met his brother John for the postgame handshake after Super Bowl XLVII, he figured he’d have a chance to avenge that setback someday. Nearly 12 years later, both 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 playoff contention, with Baltimore holding a 7-4 record and the Chargers holding a 7-3 record. John Harbaugh won both NFL games against his brother, including the Ravens’ 34-31 victory over Jim’s San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl following the 2012 regular season. The other meeting took place on the day of Thanksgiving in 2011, when host Baltimore won a 16-6 decision. Now the hype train is overloaded as the siblings prepare to face off again. “It’s a tough game,” John Harbaugh, 62, said of the competition Wednesday. “A winning football team. An extremely well-coached football team, without a doubt. One of the best coaches of our generation. Even if he wasn’t my brother, I would say that.” Jim Harbaugh, 60, is returning to the NFL after coaching Michigan for nine seasons and winning the national championship last season. He previously spent four seasons as head coach of the 49ers. Being in the college ranks lengthened the wait for Jim to face John, who is in his 17th season as Ravens coach. Those memories of being on the wrong side of the Super Bowl outcome took a while to fade. “At the time, it was tough,” Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. “After some time and reflection, he’s my brother, he’s my best friend. Really proud of him. Really happy for his achievement. It was deserved.” Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton said being part of the sibling rivalry is a unique deal. “From his perspective, he did a good job of managing emotions,” Hamilton said of John Harbaugh. “We still have one more game to play, but I think everyone understands that it’s a little bit historic and it’s cool to be a part of history.” Both coaches made remarks suggesting they didn’t want their brotherly battle to overshadow the crucial AFC competition. 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 Kansas City Chiefs, first in the AFC West. Los Angeles has a solid 5-2 record against other AFC teams. Baltimore lost 18-16 to the Steelers last week after winning seven of its previous eight games. The Chargers have won four straight games after posting a 34-27 victory over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Both teams employ quarterbacks with solid campaigns. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, ranks second in the NFL in passing yardage (2,876) and touchdown passes (25). He was intercepted only three times and had 584 yards and two scores. Justin Herbert of the Chargers has only been intercepted once. He threw for 2,186 yards and 13 touchdowns. “His talent, his effort. Everything good you can say about a quarterback and more,” Jim Harbaugh said of what he likes about Herbert. “Talent and effort and then intangibles that are off the charts. Everything you can have for a quarterback, tangible or intangible, he has it at the highest elite level.” Ravens star middle linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) missed practice Thursday. The NFL’s co-leader in tackles (110) was injured against the Steelers. Receiver Nelson Agholor (illness), cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf), safety Sanoussi Kane (ankle) and defensive lineman Travis Jones (ankle) also participated in practice for Baltimore. Chargers rookie receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) did not attend practice Thursday. He was injured against the Bengals. Middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), cornerback Cam Hart (concussion/ankle) and safety AJ Finley (ankle) also did not participate in practice. The Ravens have won the teams’ last four regular-season meetings, but the host Chargers recorded a 23-17 victory over Baltimore following the 2018 regular season. –Field Level Media
