“Worst challenge coach in history of NFL” – Ravens bizarrely wasting a timeout for a mere 2-yard gain against Bengals has fans attacking John Harbaugh on social media

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called an unnecessary challenge on the first drive in a close win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Worst challenge coach in history of NFL” – Ravens bizarrely wasting a timeout for a mere 2-yard gain against Bengals has fans attacking John Harbaugh on social media

John Harbaugh lost a timeout after a challenge against a Cincinnati Bengals completion (Image via Imago/X/SS)

The Baltimore Ravens welcomed the Cincinnati Bengals, knowing all too well that their opponents were probably hungrier than them owing to their early season struggles. Knowing that they had to keep the game clean to not give their opponents an edge. But one mistake by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh left fans scratching their heads.

The Bengals opened the game with the ball in Joe Burrow‘s hands. He took just eight plays to reach the last few yards on the Ravens’ side of the field. On the first and goal snap at the Ravens’ five-yard line, Burrow threw the ball to tight end Mike Gesicki.

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Gesicki did not have a problem catching the ball while he was tackled before the goal line and brought to the ground. But Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had a problem with it after he saw the ball leave the hands of the tight end while on the ground.

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He felt the ball left the receiver’s hands before he came down. One quick check-in with his staff and he threw the challenge flag. The replay center went over the play a few times to see if Mike Gesicki did not have full control of the ball.

But after seeing that the Cincinnati Bengals star had full control once his knee touched the ground, the call was upheld. This meant Harbaugh had lost the challenge, meaning the Ravens would lose one of their timeouts. What made it more bizarre was that it was that the rest of half still had to play out.

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Fans tear into John Harbaugh for mindlessly wasting a timeout

Where fans were left amazed was that one of the best head coaches in the NFL threw away a timeout in a game of this magnitude, that too that early in the game. Had he not challenged that, they could have preserved it for need later in the half. Add to that, his coaching staff, also not advising him properly, could have ended up being a disaster.

Lamar Jackson rescued the game for the Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson rescued the game for the Baltimore Ravens (Image via NFL/X)

Fans, knowing all this, took to social media to react to the clip of this very challenge call. They believe John Harbaugh did not think it through before throwing in the challenge flag. Check out examples of those comments below.

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The Baltimore Ravens did fall back to the Bengals in the first half. Thankfully, star quarterback Lamar Jackson was at hand to save the day. His four touchdowns and that mad scramble to set up one were instrumental in their 35-34 win.