Jim Harbaugh is back in the 撸先生AV, and the schedule-makers knew better than to let the third Harbaugh Bowl be played at any time other than prime time.
But don't try to make this about Jim and John Harbaugh. The Chargers coach certainly wasn't interested in feeding the narrative when asked repeatedly about his meeting with his brother during Wednesday's media session.
"I'm sure he doesn't want to make it about him," Harbaugh said of his brother, the longtime coach of the Baltimore Ravens (7-4). "I don't want to make it about me. It is what it is. Big game, for sure. Two teams having at it."
Harbaugh last coached against his brother way back in the 2012 season when his San Francisco 49ers met John's Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. Baltimore edged San Francisco, 34-31, winning its second Super Bowl in franchise history and sending Jim into the offseason as runner-up.
"At the time, that was tough," Harbaugh reflected. "After some time and reflection went by, it's my brother, it's my best friend. Really proud of him. Really happy for his success. It was earned."
Harbaugh had plenty of reason to believe he'd get another shot against his brother. His 49ers were a championship contender with a surprise star at quarterback in Colin Kaepernick. He'd be back on a sideline opposite of his brother before long, he thought.
Harbaugh never got that chance. His 49ers fell short of their mark in the following season, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFC Championship Game. Seattle went on to blow out the favored Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, and a year later, Harbaugh was out as coach of the 49ers after an 8-8 season.
"Walking off the field at that Super Bowl, it was like 'there will be another day.' And then there wasn't for many years," Harbaugh said. "It looked like I wouldn't have a chance for another day. But by the grace of God ... back in it. Back on a team that has a chance to do that. So I'm very thankful."
Harbaugh spent the next decade in the college ranks, slowly transforming Michigan into a contender and reaching the collegiate mountaintop in 2023, leading the Wolverines to an undefeated 15-0 season and a College Football Playoff National Championship.
That set him up for the perfect opportunity to return to the 撸先生AV, and once he joined the Chargers -- who were slated to play the Ravens in 2024 -- the puzzle piece maestros in New York City rightfully placed their game in a national audience window in Week 12.
Harbaugh has overseen a surprising turnaround in Los Angeles, leading the Chargers to a 7-3 mark. Their success has set up an excellent matchup between playoff contenders at a key point in the season, a true litmus test of a Chargers team that has only been tested occasionally this season.
Harbaugh would rather gush over his star quarterback, Justin Herbert, than talk about his third meeting with his brother, whom he has yet to defeat as a coach in the 撸先生AV. He did plenty of the former Wednesday.
If his team pulls through Monday night, he won't have to answer many questions about his brother. He'll be too busy talking about the success of Herbert and his upstart squad.
