No one will be able to persuade John Harbaugh that the Baltimore Ravens’ unprecedented run is meaningless since it came within a non-significant period of the NFL calendar.
The Ravens won their 19th straight preseason game with a 20-3 thrashing of the Carolina Panthers, which unofficially ties an NFL record.
From 1959 through 1962, the Packers under Vince Lombardi won 19 consecutive exhibition games, ending just weeks before Ravens coach John Harbaugh was born.
“All those guys who were a part of it over those years should be proud tonight,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s something only one other club has ever done — the Vince Lombardi Green Bay Packers.”
“I’d say that’s remarkable,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. The Ravens went old-school to join Lombardi and the Packers in summer dominance.
On Saturday night, the Ravens, who were tied at halftime with the Panthers, ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the second half at Bank of America Stadium.
After halftime, Baltimore limited the Panthers to 18 total yards.
Since September, the Ravens have not lost a preseason game.
Baltimore’s preseason winning streak began against the Panthers in 2016.
“There are going to be folks who say this doesn’t matter,” Harbaugh said.
“There will be people who look at that and go, ‘Wow, that’s something.’ I believe that everything has purpose in life.” The Ravens’ preseason streak is the longest in at least 26 years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Elias’ preseason records don’t go back any further than 1995.
But, according to long-time NFL reporter Rick Gosselin, the Packers won 19 straight exhibition games 59 years ago.
The Ravens were unable to replicate that record since their star players are frequently used in the preseason.
Despite missing seven starters, including Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore defeated Carolina on Saturday.
Tyler Huntley, who began at quarterback in place of Jackson, stated, “It’s a fantastic feeling to have because you can see the type of culture we have as a team and company.”
“Every time we foot on the pitch, we want to win.”
It really goes to show how much depth we have as a team to keep winning in the preseason.” Some players were aware of the run going into the game.
In the locker room after the win, Harbaugh briefed his players about the historic preseason triumph.
Ravens safety Chuck Clark recalled, “We embraced and loved that moment.”
“But for now, we’re kind of in the record books,” he says, “but we just have to keep becoming more and better as a team.”
