John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens

Ahead of the Baltimore Ravens’ critical Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach John Harbaugh held a press conference to confirm key details of the team’s gameplan—offering rare transparency into how the Ravens plan to leverage their strengths, neutralize the 49ers’ threats, and maintain their momentum in the AFC playoff race. Harbaugh’s comments didn’t just outline X’s and O’s; they highlighted the gameplan’s roots in the Ravens’ identity: physicality, versatility, and adaptability. John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens breaks down these confirmed elements, from offensive balance to defensive adjustments, and explains how each component ties back to the team’s goal of securing a first-round bye in the playoffs. For fans and analysts, Harbaugh’s confirmation provides a roadmap for understanding how the Ravens intend to compete against one of the NFL’s top defenses—and why their gameplan has made them one of the league’s most consistent winners in 2026.

John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens begins with the offensive gameplan’s core: maintaining the balanced attack that has defined the Ravens’ success all season. Harbaugh confirmed that the offense will continue to lean on the dual threat of Lamar Jackson and running back Rasheen Ali, but with specific tweaks to exploit the 49ers’ defensive tendencies. “We know San Francisco has a strong run defense—they rank top 5 in yards per carry allowed—but they can be vulnerable to play-action passes off play-fake runs,” Harbaugh explained. “Our gameplan will use Rasheen’s downhill running to set up Lamar’s play-action throws to Zay [Flowers] and Odell [Beckham Jr.]. We won’t abandon the run, but we’ll use it to open up the passing game.” Harbaugh also confirmed that the offense will incorporate more “11 personnel” (1 running back, 1 tight end, 3 wide receivers) than in recent weeks—a shift designed to spread the 49ers’ defense and create one-on-one matchups for Flowers against 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward. “11 personnel lets us be more flexible,” Harbaugh added. “We can run out of it, pass out of it, or even motion Rasheen into the slot to create mismatches. That flexibility is key against a defense as disciplined as San Francisco’s.” The coach emphasized that the gameplan isn’t just about exploiting weaknesses—it’s about playing to the Ravens’ strengths: Jackson’s ability to extend plays, Ali’s versatility, and the offensive line’s dominance in the run game.

John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens continues with the defensive gameplan, which Harbaugh framed as “stopping the 49ers’ most dangerous weapons first.” San Francisco’s offense revolves around running back Christian McCaffrey (1,200+ rushing yards, 400+ receiving yards) and tight end George Kittle (650+ receiving yards, 5 touchdowns), and Harbaugh confirmed the Ravens will assign specific resources to neutralize both. “We’ll use a mix of box safety looks to contain McCaffrey—Kevin [Byard] will be in the box on early downs to help with run support—and double teams on Kittle in critical situations,” Harbaugh said. “McCaffrey is a threat in both run and pass, so we can’t let him get into space. Kittle is their go-to target on third down, so we’ll make sure we have a safety over the top when he lines up.” Harbaugh also noted that the defense will use more “stunts and blitzes” than usual to disrupt 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who has struggled under pressure this season (3 interceptions and 8 sacks in games where opponents blitz 30%+ of the time). “Our defensive line—Jadeveon [Clowney], Justin [Madubuike]—has been getting to the quarterback consistently, and we’ll use that to our advantage,” Harbaugh added. “Purdy is accurate when he has time, but he makes mistakes when he’s hurried. Our gameplan will keep him off balance.” The coach stressed that the defensive gameplan isn’t just about stopping individuals—it’s about forcing the 49ers into “third-and-long” situations, where their offense ranks 22nd in conversion rate this season.

John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens shifts to situational football—specifically, the Ravens’ gameplan for red zone and third-down scenarios, two areas where they’ve excelled (top 10 in red zone touchdown rate, top 15 in third-down conversion rate) and where the 49ers have struggled (bottom 10 in red zone defense, bottom 12 in third-down stop rate). Harbaugh confirmed that the red zone offense will focus on “physicality and precision,” with more designed runs for Ali and Jackson, and quick slant routes for Flowers and Beckham Jr. “In the red zone, space is limited, so you have to be precise,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll use our size—Rasheen’s 225 pounds, Lamar’s strength—to get into the end zone on the ground, and our receivers’ quickness to win short routes. San Francisco’s red zone defense gives up a lot of touchdowns on short passes, so we’ll target that.” On third down, Harbaugh confirmed the offense will mix “quick-game passes” (slants, outs) to get easy first downs and “play-action deep balls” to exploit the 49ers’ tendency to drop linebackers into coverage. Defensively, Harbaugh said the Ravens will use “coverage packages tailored to third down”—including more nickel and dime formations—to counter the 49ers’ pass-heavy third-down sets. For the Baltimore Ravens, situational football has been a difference-maker in close games this season (they’re 5-1 in one-score games), and Harbaugh’s confirmation makes clear that the gameplan will double down on this strength against the 49ers. “Winning the situational battles—red zone, third down, two-minute drills—wins games,” Harbaugh said. “Our gameplan is built to do exactly that.”

John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens delves into the gameplan’s adaptability—a key focus for Harbaugh, who has emphasized “in-game adjustments” as a cornerstone of the Ravens’ success. The coach confirmed that the staff has prepared “two backup gameplans” to deploy if the initial strategy isn’t working—one focused on more rushing (if the 49ers’ pass defense is stifling) and one focused on more passing (if the 49ers’ run defense is dominant). “You can’t go into a game with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ plan,” Harbaugh explained. “San Francisco is a good team, and they’ll make adjustments too. Our job is to be ready to pivot—whether that means running more if they’re blitzing a lot, or passing more if they’re stacking the box.” Harbaugh also noted that Jackson will have “increased autonomy” at the line of scrimmage to change plays based on what the 49ers’ defense shows— a trust that has grown as the season has progressed. “Lamar knows this offense better than anyone, and he knows what works against different defenses,” Harbaugh said. “If he sees a mismatch or a defensive look we didn’t prepare for, he has the green light to adjust. That’s the mark of a franchise quarterback—someone who can lead on and off the field.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this adaptability isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity against a 49ers team that has shown the ability to shift its gameplan mid-game (they’ve come back from fourth-quarter deficits in three games this season). Harbaugh’s confirmation makes clear that the Ravens won’t be caught off guard if the initial strategy hits a snag.

John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with how the gameplan aligns with the Ravens’ larger playoff goals—and why this matchup against the 49ers matters beyond just a regular-season win. Harbaugh confirmed that the gameplan isn’t just about beating San Francisco; it’s about “testing ourselves against a top-tier team” to prepare for the playoffs. “We want to be a Super Bowl team, and Super Bowl teams have to beat other Super Bowl-caliber teams,” Harbaugh said. “This game is a chance to see where we stand—to see if our gameplan works against the best, to see if our players can execute under pressure. That’s invaluable heading into the postseason.” The coach also noted that the gameplan’s focus on balance and adaptability is intentional, as it mirrors what the Ravens will need to do in the playoffs, where opponents will have more time to prepare for their strengths. “In the playoffs, every team knows your tendencies, so you have to be able to do everything well,” Harbaugh added. “Our gameplan against San Francisco is a dress rehearsal for that.” For the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh’s confirmed gameplan is more than just a strategy for one game—it’s a statement of who they are: a team built to compete with anyone, anywhere, by playing to their strengths, adapting to their opponents, and focusing on the details that win championships. In the end, John Harbaugh Confirms Gameplan Details for the Baltimore Ravens is a reminder of why the Ravens are considered a Super Bowl favorite: their coach has a clear vision, their team has the talent to execute it, and their gameplan is built to stand up to the NFL’s toughest challenges.