First Call: John Harbaugh brings up 'next week' while discussing Zay Flowers; ex-Steeler up for 49ers' defensive job

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said something that caught the attention of many Pittsburgh Steelers fans. A former Steeler is making a name for himself on the interview circuit for defensive coordinators.

The Penguins have a chance to make some noise in the wild-card race this weekend. And Evgeni Malkin is taking a group of his teammates to Robert Morris’ rink to spread some love.

All that in Friday’s “First Call.”

Freudian slip?

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh ruffled a few feathers among Pittsburgh football fans Thursday. He announced that receiver Zay Flowers will be out for the team’s playoff game against the Steelers on Saturday.

But then he added that Flowers “will get started again next week.”

Ravens HC John Harbaugh officially ruled out WR Zay Flowers for the Wild Card Round against the Steelers

pic.twitter.com/s8htuT1vKI

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 9, 2025

Of course, there is no “next week” if the Ravens lose to Pittsburgh. The quote had some people wondering if, as a 9.5-point favorite, Harbaugh was looking past the spiraling Steelers who have lost four in a row.

Harbaugh’s words were more likely a slip of the tongue or, at most, advancing the power of positive thinking. Given the Ravens’ poor recent history versus the Steelers prior to their last game against each other, I doubt that Harbaugh is chalking up a win in his head before the ball is even kicked — especially without Flowers.

The second-year pass catcher led Baltimore with 74 catches for 1,059 yards receiving and added four touchdowns this season. Flowers is the first ever Ravens wide receiver to earn a Pro Bowl selection.

He injured a knee during the team’s regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

Deshea’s day

Two-time Super Bowl champion Deshea Townsend is looking to move up the NFL coaching ranks.

The former Steelers cornerback has interviewed for the vacant San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator position. That’s according to the team’s social media account.

The #49ers complete interview with Deshea Townsend for vacant DC Position

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 9, 2025

Townsend was with the Steelers from 1998-2009. He is currently the defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach with the Detroit Lions. Since his retirement, the Alabama alum has coached in the NFL with the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Bears and Jaguars.

Nick Sorensen was fired after just one season as the Niners’ defensive coordinator. This is the third straight season San Francisco is changing that job.

Following the 2022 season, DeMeco Ryans left to take over as head coach of the Houston Texans. Steve Wilks took over last year and was on the staff as San Francisco made the Super Bowl. He was let go anyway after head coach Kyle Shanahan claimed his scheme wasn’t a good fit with the Niners’ players.

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Time to get it done

After a 5-3 victory over Edmonton on Thursday, the Penguins have four important points on the table for themselves this weekend at home. For that matter, they also have the potential to prevent four important points from being soaked up by some Eastern Conference rivals.

The Ottawa Senators are in town at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Tampa Bay Lightning follow at 5 p.m. Sunday.

In terms of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, as we’ve just passed the halfway point of the season, the Lightning currently occupy the Atlantic Division’s third playoff spot with 46 points. They are followed by the Boston Bruins, who currently own the top wild-card slot with 45. The Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets are then tied for the eighth and final position with 44. Ottawa is next at 41.

The Senators arrive Saturday in a slump. They have lost four in a row and six of seven. The Sens have hit three goals in a game just one time since Dec. 21. They aren’t even getting many shots. Ottawa is putting up just 22.7 shots on goal per game during that stretch.

That said, they did beat the Penguins, 3-2, in overtime last month on a Brady Tkachuk game-winner.

Brady Tkachuk scores his 9th career OT goal, surpassing the career total of his dad, Keith#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/6f9v61cYgt

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 15, 2024

The Lightning came out of Christmas in a funk of their own, dropping four in a row after the holiday. But they’ve bounced back since then, winning their past two by scores of 3-2 over Carolina and 4-1 against the Bruins on Thursday.

Brayden Point got career point No. 600 along the way.

600 points for Brayden Point! ???? pic.twitter.com/46pccPPtRd

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 10, 2025

Tampa Bay can also claim a 3-2 OT win against the Penguins. That happened Nov. 19 at PPG Paints Arena.

Doing some good

On the off night between games, some of the Penguins will still be at a rink doing some community outreach.

Friday night (8 p.m.) Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, P.O. Joseph and Drew O’Connor are scheduled to be part of the ceremonial puck drop before the Robert Morris club hockey game against Mercyhurst at the RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island.

This is the third annual Evgeni Malkin Ronald McDonald House Charities hockey game to benefit the Pittsburgh and Morgantown chapters.

Meanwhile, the RMU D-1 men’s team is on the road at Holy Cross for back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. They are back home for a game on Tuesday against Canisius, then a pair next weekend against RIT, Jan. 17-18.

The women’s team is at Lindenwood Friday night and Saturday afternoon.