Ravens’ John Harbaugh On Decision To Go For 2 Instead Of Game

The NFL is investigating the Baltimore Ravens for their decision to go for 2 rather than kick the game-winning field goal. The Ravens lost 25-23 and now face an almost impossible task of making it deep into a playoff hunt without its best player, Joe Flacco.

Marlon Humphrey, who is a cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens has been an important player this season. The team decided to go for 2 instead of game at the end of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens acknowledged injuries influenced his decision to try for a possible game-winning 2-point conversion instead of settling for a tying point-after kick against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Ravens were defeated 20-19 by the Steelers when Lamar Jackson’s 2-point conversion ball went off the extended left hand of tight end Mark Andrews with 12 seconds remaining in regulation.

Harbaugh explained why he opted for two instead of the PAT to force overtime: “Right now, we’re attempting to win the game. At that point, we were pretty well out of options. It was a chance to attempt to win the game right then and then.”

With 1:48 remained in the game, Ravens Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey clutched his left shoulder while attempting to stop Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson for the game-winning 5-yard touchdown. A source informed ESPN that the Ravens believe Humphrey sustained a season-ending injury on the play, matching an NFL Network story.

Harbaugh said Humphrey would get an MRI, but he wouldn’t say what the issue is.

“Marlon might be out for a long,” he said.

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According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the statistics marginally supported Baltimore opting for two points (47.1 percent) over the kick (46.5 percent).

Harbaugh’s decision was supported by Jackson.

Jackson said, “I want to win.” “I wasn’t planning on working overtime anyhow.”

With the Ravens behind 20-13, Jackson finished a 60-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Watkins. Andrews was uncovered in the right flat on the 2-point convert, but Jackson had to step up and modify his pass because Steelers defender T.J. Watt was in his face.

Jackson’s career 2-point conversion percentage is presently 3-of-10 (either rushing or passing). According to ESPN Stats & Information, that’s the second-worst conversion percentage among 40 players with 10-plus 2-point conversion attempts in the last 20 seasons.

“T.J. Watt has a lot of range. He’s a tall man “According to Jackson. “I had to fling myself around him and hope for the best. That is all there is to it. I just ran out of time.”

Andrews acknowledged responsibility for the conversion’s failure.

Andrews stated, “[It] was an excellent play call.” “I sprang out, wide open. Lamar delivered a terrific pass, but I failed to make the catch.”

When down by one point in the fourth quarter, teams have gone 3-for-8 (37.5 percent) on 2-point conversion tries during the last three seasons. Since 2000, they have been in ten of twenty-three (43.4 percent) of these scenarios.

The play call, not the execution, thrilled Harbaugh.

Harbaugh added, “It was a game of inches.” “In ‘Any Given Sunday,’ you watched Al Pacino give a speech. So there you have it. That’s how football works. It’s just a matter of time.”

A Ravens-Steelers game was decided by five points or fewer for the fourth time in five encounters.

Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t shocked by the Ravens’ will to win.

“They play analytics aggressively,” Tomlin added. “They’re predictable from that aspect.”

After allowing Pittsburgh to score on all three of its fourth-quarter possessions, Baltimore lost Humphrey, its top corner. All of the Ravens’ active cornerbacks — Anthony Averett (shoulder/ankle), Tavon Young (illness), and Jimmy Smith (neck/ankle) — missed at least one session last week, so they were already battling with ailments heading into Sunday’s game.

Two starters in the Baltimore secondary have already suffered season-ending injuries: cornerback Marcus Peters (knee) and safety DeShon Elliott (torn biceps/pectoral muscles).

“We’ve had a lot of injuries this season, so we’ve been dealing with stress all season,” Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams said. “So that’s what we’re going to do. The show must go on because it’s a ‘Next Man Up’ mindset.”

Despite the setback, the Ravens (8-4) still have a one-game lead in the AFC North. The Ravens will face the Cleveland Browns (6-6), who are coming off a bye week.

Brooke Pryor of ESPN contributed to this article.

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The “steelers ” is a team that has been struggling to find success in recent years The decision to go for 2 instead of game was made by Ravens’ John Harbaugh.