Pats prez: 'Really too bad' Ravens, 'sweetheart' John Harbaugh winless

ByJamison Hensley ESPN logo
Monday, September 28, 2015

The winless Baltimore Ravens are apparently getting no sympathy from the New England Patriots.

In Sunday's pregame interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Patriots president Jonathan Kraft sounded like someone who is enjoying the Ravens' rough start.

Asked about a number of winless teams through Week 2, Kraft singled out one, saying, "It's too bad about Baltimore, isn't it? It's really too bad."

Marc Bertrand, who was conducting the interview, suggested the Ravens' losses were the result of karma.

"Oh, that has nothing to do with it," Kraft said. "The Ravens are sweethearts. [Ravens coach] John Harbaugh, he's a sweetheart."

Kraft's comments came before the Ravenstook the lead twice in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Bengals only to give it back to Cincinnati via A.J. Green touchdowns on the next drive. The 28-24 loss dropped the Ravens to 0-3 for the first time since the franchise relocated to Baltimore.

There has been plenty of drama between the Ravens and Patriots recently. After this year's AFC divisional playoff game, Harbaugh complained about the Patriots' trick plays. Quarterback Tom Brady responded by saying the Ravens should study the rulebook.

Later this past offseason, there were reports that the Ravens tipped off the Indianapolis Colts about underinflated footballs before the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens have denied any involvement in Deflategate.

The Patriots and Ravens don't play each other in the regular season, and a postseason matchup is looking unlikely considering Baltimore's start. Under the current playoff format (since 1990), only the 1998 Bills, 1995 Lions and 1992 Chargers made the playoffs after an 0-3 start. The 1992 Chargers are the only ones of that group to make it after an 0-4 start.

The Patriots and Ravens next face each other in the regular season in 2016, with the game slated to be played in New England.

ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.

Related Video