There are massive stakes on the line in the Steelers-Ravens “Sunday Night Football” game, with the winner taking the AFC North crown and making the playoffs, and the loser being eliminated from playoff contention.
In terms of job security, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said there is more on the line for one of the coaches, though.
“While everybody’s been focused on [Steelers coach] Mike Tomlin, the coach that people really should be focusing in on in that division is the Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh,” Schefter said on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. “That seems to be a situation, right now, that’s up in the air, where both sides will meet and discuss after the season what they want to do and what direction they want to go. He is the second-longest tenured coach in the National Football League — 18 years. And I think there should be more conversation about Harbaugh, less about Tomlin.
“But we’re still leaning safe, right now, on John Harbaugh until those conversations occur, and we’ll see what comes out of them this offseason.”
The Ravens started the year 1-5 but have rallied to put themselves within touching distance of the postseason.
Entering Sunday, Harbaugh owns a 180-112 regular-season record with the Ravens and has gone 13-11 in the playoffs.
Tomlin is unlikely to be fired or asked to leave, Schefter said.
“He’s got one year left on his contract and there’s a feeling from many that he will fulfill what he started,” Schefter said. “He’s the longest-tenured head coach in the National Football League — 19 years. The fans in Pittsburgh were calling for his firing about a month ago, yet he’s on the verge on winning a division.
“And the feeling is that he’ll be back in Pittsburgh for at least another year, though there will be conversations that occur.”
