Jim Harbaugh returned to a state where he was not very popular for the first time since rejoining the NFL as the head coach of the LA Chargers. The Chargers took on the Cleveland Browns on the road and dominated all 60 minutes en route to a 27-10 win.
This served as a statement win for the Chargers, who are right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture with a 5-3 record. The Cleveland Browns were viewed as a newly dangerous team with Jameis Winston under center but the Bolts proved that to be all hype.
For Harbaugh, this continues his dominance in the state of Ohio that dates back to his tenure with the Michigan Wolverines. Harbaugh may not have been in Columbus on Sunday, but he still looked right at home up in Cleveland.
Chargers beating Browns had shades of Michigan beating Ohio State with Jim Harbaugh
The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one of the best in college football and the Wolverines dominated the matchup toward the end of Harbaugh's tenure. Michigan beat Ohio State in Harbaugh's last three games coached in the rivalry.
Two of the three wins weren't even close as Michigan won by 15 and 22 points, respectively. Ohio State narrowed the gap in 2023 but it still was not enough as Harbaugh's team won 30-24.
The Chargers looked like Michigan's in Sunday's win over the Browns. Harbaugh turned Michigan into one of the best teams in the nation after decades of mediocrity in Ann Arbor. He is looking to do the same in Los Angeles and games like Sunday's are examples of what Harbaugh's coaching does to a team.
While the final score may not have been extremely lopsided, the Chargers controlled the entire game against the Browns. Justin Herbert had one of his most impressive halves of football in the first half that allowed the Bolts to cruise to victory in the second half.
Just like Michigan righted the ship with Harbaugh as captain, the Chargers appear to be doing the same in 2024. A 5-3 record may not be among the best in the league but this is the best-coached Chargers team since Marty Schottenheimer was calling the shots.
Sunday's win was simply another example of that. It was also a terrible case of Deja Vu for Ohio State football fans who are also Browns fans. If your favorite team plays in the state of Ohio, there is a good chance Jim Harbaugh will get the better of you.