Sometimes change is good. Harbaugh could stick with this offensive line when the Ravens were winning, but they're not anymore. Good coaches adapt and adopt.
On the defensive side, there are few options because of the rash of injuries to starters. The Ravens started a group on defense that included linebackers Josh Bynes, Brendon Ayanbadejo, cornerback Chris Johnson and safety James Ihedigbo.
But good coaches find a way to win. They know how to control hotheads like Anquan Boldin and Bernard Pollard, who repeatedly draw unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. They cut down on those stupid holding and procedure penalties which kill offensive drives and keep opposing ones alive. They know when and when not to throw the red flag and improve their clock management.
In recent years, few coaches have gotten teams to peak in December like Coughlin. Whenever the Steelers have gone on slides and everyone counted them out, a tough guy like Tomlin always found a way to keep them in contention.
A year ago, the Patriots had one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and New England eventually played the Giants in the Super Bowl. In Harbaugh's first four seasons in Baltimore, his job was much easier than now. He could come up with the corny college sayings and new T-shirts.
But now he has to be a master motivator and keep his team from unraveling. Years ago, Reed and Lewis were still playing at high levels and Suggs was about to enter his prime. When the team needed someone to deliver the great "boomalacher" it was always Lewis.
But with Lewis out with injury, his voice doesn't carry the same weight. There is no defensive coordinator with the dynamic personality of a Rex Ryan or Chuck Pagano.
Next up for the Ravens is Coughlin and the Giants. The Ravens have already shown that they are no longer a top echelon team, but there was always hope that on any given Sunday they might be able to pull an upset.
That feeling is no longer there, and neither is the thought of being invincible at home.
Everybody has to step up, especially the coach.
Times like these define those guys.
