In HarBowl 3, it seems only fitting that some of the game’s most critical plays come from bold coaching decisions.

The Ravens improved to 8-4 this season after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 30-23 on “Monday Night Football.”

According to experts, the reason the Ravens came out on top was head coach John Harbaugh’s confidence on three fourth-down conversions. One in particular — a four-and-1 from its own 16-yard line — was a historically aggressive call, and it was rewarded.

Here’s what the experts said about John Harbaugh’s aggressive attitude toward his brother Jim:

The Athletics Jeff Zrebiec: “The decisive play in the game may have been a 2-yard run by a tight end. When the Ravens faced a four-and-1 at their own 16 after the two-minute warning in the second quarter, Harbaugh sent his offense running back.” On the field after the break, Mark Andrews took the direct snap and picked up the first down . Three plays and a defensive pass interference penalty later, the Ravens reached the end zone when Jackson hit Rashod Bateman for a 40-yard score. The Ravens picked up fourth downs on two other occasions on a drive that began in the third quarter and also scored a touchdown on that drive.

The Baltimore Suns Brian Wacker: “John Harbaugh played and won. The analytics favored the Ravens going for a fourth-and-1 from their own 16-yard line late in the second quarter, but trailing 10-7 at that point meant not getting the ball would have been disastrous “Of course, Baltimore never had to worry, and Harbaugh showed confidence in its potent offense by scoring three fourth downs, including two one-drive touchdowns on both series, and that got the momentum back on track after a sluggish start.”

The Baltimore Suns Child hikers: “You won’t see a wilder momentum shift than the one the Ravens made just before halftime. Coach John Harbaugh, faced with a four-and-1 deep in his own territory, made a shocking decision with a direct snap to Mark.” Andrews, who converted a few plays later, hit Rashod Bateman for a 40 -yard touchdown to give Baltimore a 14-10 lead.

The Baltimore Suns CJ Doon: “And how many other NFL teams would have the courage to stay behind on their own 16-yard line in the second quarter? Maybe the Detroit Lions? Don’t take that for granted… That fourth down call might have saved the Ravens from a two-point halftime deficit.”

Paul Mancano of the Baltimore Banner: “However, no one had a greater impact on this game than John Harbaugh. His bold decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from Baltimore’s 16-yard line was important. The comparison between John and his brother Jim was obvious. “The Chargers are one of the NFL’s best stories, thanks largely to the younger Harbaugh, who improved to 3-0 against his brother, one of the league’s best bosses.”

CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr: “With the Ravens trailing 10-7 at the two-minute warning in the second quarter, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh decided to make the boldest decision of the season by acting on his own 16-minute clock of the season. Yard line… Without Harbaugh’s bold call to go for it on their own, the Ravens couldn’t have changed the game’s momentum. It was also the deepest ball in their own territory that a team converts on fourth down this year has.”

NFL.com’s Grant Gordon: “Facing a three-point deficit with two minutes left in the first half, facing a fourth-and-1 from the Baltimore 16-yard line and looking for a spark, John Harbaugh eschewed any fear of consequences and called the number by Tight End Mark Andrews – – After the two-minute warning, the Ravens broke the huddle, sprinted to the line and Andrews lined up under center before stealthily striking 2 yards for a 40-yard touchdown the Ravens on their way to a 30:23 victory.”

Russell Street Reports Nick Polinsky: “As much crap as John Harbaugh does, his decisions are probably the reason the Ravens won this game handily. The Ravens were 3/3 on 4th down and scored 14 points on Harbaugh’s two 4th-and-1 decisions in his own territory.”

Press box Bo Smolka: “Head coach John Harbaugh likes to go for it on fourth down like every other coach in the league, but going on fourth down from the Ravens’ 16 late in the second quarter was still an extremely aggressive move,” even by his standards was the motto.

While the decisions were classified as aggressive to extremely aggressive, the analyzes supported each of Harbaugh’s fourth decisions.