Ravens vs. Bengals Week 15 Postgame Press Conferences

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

Welcome to the Ravens Press Pass Podcast. The Ravens took down Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 on Sunday to improve to 7-7 on the season. This was a must-win game for the Ravens as they try to get themselves back to the playoff race. And after the game, we had a chance to hear from head coach John Harbaugh.

John Harbaugh (0:20)

Just really, you did, the guys said it, but really proud of these guys. Really proud of the effort and the way they stick together and the way they played together.

It was our best football game of the year, complimentary football, all three phases, coming off our best week of practice. And we've had good weeks of practice. We've had really good weeks of practice, very intentional weeks of practice. And this was another level. And at this point in time, to see that, that really is what is impressive about these guys. And I told them, I'm so proud of them for that reason. So a great win and appreciate it. Questions you have.

SPEAKER_3 (0:55)

When your defense pitches a shutout like that, when you're watching that defense, what stood out to you?

John Harbaugh (1:02)

Probably, I just think the poise. Like Marlon made a good point in the break before the game. He said, make it about the next play. He said, when you're a defensive back, you have to play that way. You've got to have a short memory. And he kind of implored the whole team to make it about the next play. And I thought we did that. If you look at our offense, I felt like our offense did that. Our offense, first quarter, we were just trying to find our way a little bit. And you've got to be patient. You don't want to be impatient, do something that's going to hurt your team. And they didn't. They were patient. Be patient.

That was the verse from James 5-7, be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. And I think it applied to the game. Certain patients that we played with and kept playing winning football, and that paid off for us.

SPEAKER_4 (1:50)

John, the interception by Kyle Van Nooyden, the handoff to Alohi, was that all influenced by Ed Reed talking to the team on Friday?

John Harbaugh (1:56)

Ah, well, you know, I told Kyle, I said, we used to have this list around here, you know, Ed was on the list. There was a few other players on the list on defense, but not many. It was the list. When I got here, they already had it. Rex had that instilled in the guys. And, you know, if you weren't on the list, you couldn't pitch the ball, you know. So I told Kyle when he came off the field that he was now officially on the list.

SPEAKER_5 (2:15)

John, you mentioned patience. Over this season, Zachor has taken a lot of criticism of the defense, a lot of criticism, but you maintain these guys will be better. Is today the type of example that shows, I won't use the word validation, but sort of what you were anticipating would happen?

John Harbaugh (2:30)

Sure. I mean, yes, probably so. And then even with that, I feel like we've been playing really good defense for many number of weeks. We played good defense last week, played good defense the week before, but coming up with those plays is a difference maker. When you come up with those plays, that's what creates a performance like this, you know. And the guys did that. Zach has been great. The coaches have been great. I think they had a really good coverage plan. Joe Burrow is the best that you're ever going to see in terms of dissecting coverages and knowing where to go with the ball. And I thought we did a really good job in the back end of disguising. And then even when he made his completions, showing up and making tackles and not giving him anything deep down the field. So hats off to Zach, the whole staff. They've done a great job all year.

SPEAKER_6 (3:14)

With that interception, I know you don't know what Joe Burr was thinking, but do you think there is...

John Harbaugh (3:19)

The last one to Kyle?

SPEAKER_6 (3:21)

Well, just like the cumulative effects of hitting the quarterback, leading to a play like that when we're close to someone who's waiting for the ball.

John Harbaugh (3:27)

Definitely, definitely a great point. I mean, you know, T Rob got that pressure, right? I mean, T Rob deserves a lot of credit. He had a couple of two or three pressures out there, I think, and was just running around making plays, very physical. Come back like that after the first game back and then make a difference. But I do believe that the pressure is what causes the opportunity for turnovers. You're right.