What's Wright - Best Of - Ravens FIRE John Harbaugh, Top 5 NFL Playoff Storylines + Wild Card Predictions | Nick Wright

Best of the Week time—enjoy it. The Steelers outlasted the Ravens in a wild season finale, but the bigger story is Baltimore’s decade of late‑season gut punches.

For nine of the last ten years it’s been goal‑line breaks, fourth‑and‑forever heartbreaks, one‑seeds squandered, injuries at the worst moments, and season‑swinging turnovers. It’s real scar tissue, and I genuinely feel for Ravens fans.

Lamar was quiet for three quarters, then delivered a blistering fourth with that sandwiched‑hit escape to Zay Flowers and a perfect fourth‑and‑seven to Likely. You can’t pin the loss on him, but you also can’t crown him when the team still fell short.

Harbaugh managed for a longer kick in brutal conditions, likely wary of Derek Henry’s early fumbles, and a rattled rookie kicker had to wear it. Special teams and situational choices matched their season: flashes, then slips.

This wasn’t a great team; they looked eight‑and‑nine all year with up‑and‑down defense, shaky specials, and hot‑cold quarterbacking. Now it’s Harbaugh’s future and Lamar’s contract math, with huge cap hits and a star turning twenty‑nine who wants top dollar.

It’s official: after eighteen seasons and a ring, the Ravens and John Harbaugh split—where do they go now?

They’re talking to Brian Flores, and I loved the idea of Mike McDaniel’s run game with Lamar and Henry, though he may chase a head job. This move wasn’t about Harbaugh’s résumé; the Lamar‑Harbaugh dynamic had hit a wall, and sometimes a lesser coach is still the right fresh voice.

I doubt the next coach is better than Harbaugh, but I get why you can’t run it back.

If not for this past year, Belichick would’ve been fascinating; Harbaugh should wait and see if a set‑QB job opens in Philly, Buffalo, or Green Bay, and I’d even ping Cincinnati about interest. Patience matters when the quarterback box is already checked.

He’ll want more say on the quarterback anyway, since that’s the real hinge.

Baltimore’s changed coordinators, added Henry, spent firsts at receiver, and now changed head coaches; the spotlight shifts to Lamar being awesome and available. Wild stat: over five years, he and Joe Burrow have played the same total games, while Allen and Mahomes have nineteen more.

That shocks me; Burrow’s injuries always felt bigger and longer.

He just turned twenty‑nine and is headed for the biggest deal in the league, so the bar’s high this offseason.

Playoffs are here—what storylines top your list with some big dogs missing?

First, can Josh Allen finally break through; the Bills are flawed but dangerous, and I think the Jags‑Bills winner takes the AFC.

Second, do any year‑two quarterbacks make a run; if Drake, Caleb, or even Bo Nix gets to February, the top‑tier rankings shift.

Third, what if Aaron Rodgers gets hot with Pittsburgh; a deep run would flip their narrative. Fourth, could the Eagles repeat after wobbling; that elevates Hurts and the whole operation.

Fifth, which NFC West power peaks now; I lean Rams with Stafford, but a rested, healthy Seattle at home is live.

Quick gambling note: I finished forty‑four, forty‑four, and two; Demonsa’s teasers carried the season and might get real bankroll next year.

Let’s go head to head—Rams at Carolina, Rams minus ten and a half?

I’ll lay it with the Rams; Carolina’s the weakest playoff team and L.A. won’t sleepwalk.

I’ll grab the points with Carolina.

Chicago hosting Green Bay, Bears plus one?

Chicago at home and healthier; two tight games already, and I prefer the Bears’ current form.

I’m on Chicago too.

Jacksonville versus Buffalo, Bills minus one?

Jags plus the point; they’re more balanced, though a one‑point Bills win wouldn’t shock me.

I’m taking Buffalo; Allen needs this.

Niners at Philly, San Francisco plus four and a half?

Give me San Francisco; Philly’s offense hasn’t convinced me and that number feels rich.

I’m with you.

Chargers at Patriots, L.A. plus four?

I’ll take the points with the Chargers in a cold, low‑scoring game; Drake Maye hasn’t seen a defense like this.

Same side.

Pittsburgh versus Houston, Steelers plus three?

Pittsburgh outright at home on Monday night; Tomlin getting points there is tough to pass.

We’re aligned; only Carolina and Buffalo split us.