NFL teams always talk about starting fast, dictating tempo and enforcing their will upon opponents. Yet it has become common practice for teams that win the pregame coin toss to open the game on defense. Teams that profess to go on the offensive choose to begin games defensively. John Harbaugh is no exception to this trend. The Ravens defer whenever they win the coin toss.
But is that the right way to go?
Through 13 games the Ravens have won the coin toss 6 times. Here’s a snap shot of how the opening drives of each game have played out as well as the opening drive in the second half when the Ravens do in fact, defer.