Throughout the season, the brothers talk regularly to share ideas, but not so much this week because suddenly there's the potential for another history-making matchup next month in Indianapolis. In November, they became the first brothers to face each other as NFL head coaches.

"It's pretty neat. I'm proud of him," John Harbaugh, the oldest, said. "He's proud of what we're doing." Jim considers himself a Ravens fan.

"Had a chance to watch his game, and found myself, as always, pulling very hard for him and his team. Very happy for his success," Jim said. "(I watch) as a brother, as a fan of his team, and also as a possible opponent, yes." John Harbaugh began at the lowest rung of coaching and worked his way up slowly, a former college defensive back at Miami University of Ohio whose playing career ended there. He has guided the Ravens' staunch, playmaking defense.

Jim Harbaugh was a star quarterback at University of Michigan, a first-round NFL draft pick and eventual Pro Bowler who turned to coaching much later. His thick offensive playbook featuring a version of the West Coast offense can be overwhelming, and Harbaugh has been known to mix in some twists, such as using kicker David Akers to throw a pass on a fake field goal or throwing to a nose tackle-turned part-time fullback.

In last Saturday's 36-32 last-second win against Drew Brees and the favored New Orleans Saints, Harbaugh even used star defensive tackle Justin Smith for a few plays on offense.

He gets a kick out of the game-planning process and throwing in some new tricks each week.

"Really enjoyable. Yeah, it's a fun part of the job, and I think the thing that makes it fun is that the players are really stimulated by that," Jim Harbaugh said. "And we've got smart guys that they want it, they almost need it. And really keeps them on a razor's edge." One thing neither likes during game week is anything they consider nonsense — a distraction to the one and only goal of a victory.

The Harbaughs can be dismissive. They're known to sneer or blow off questions altogether when it comes to injuries or any other tidbit that might give an opponent insight or a possible advantage — perceived or otherwise.

Jim Harbaugh had a squad full of playoff first-timers going into last Saturday's win.

His message: "Don't overcook it." Translation: Stick with what got you here.

John Harbaugh has a postseason-tested squad of men who have been in the big games before. Ray Lewis is still around from the 2001 Super Bowl champion team.

Both possess a laser-like focus and find unique ways to motivate.

"When he gets fired up, it's fire and brimstone," Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson said of John. "But for the most part, he reads a lot. He draws a lot from the military. We get a lot of poetry. He uses a lot of different analogies and stuff. I would say he's all over the place. He's a rah-rah guy when he needs to be, and he's also very subtle. Maybe a Shakespeare speech, something like that. He draws inspiration from everywhere." Jim has his players buying into a blue-collar mentality, and there are actual blue-collar shirts to fit the theme. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula wears his regularly around team headquarters.

"It's really been fun to see the sayings that have really grabbed on from the blue-collar aspect," Akers said. "A lot of this country is built on the blue-collar idea." Jim Harbaugh always has a story to share. From the one about his uncles who untucked their shirts after a long day's work — he now does the same after each victory — to his own missed opportunity at a Super Bowl, one he thought surely would come again.

In the 1996 AFC championship game, the Indianapolis Colts had the ball on the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-yard line on third-and-1, but Harbaugh's Hail Mary throw to the end zone went through Aaron Bailey's hands as time expired. Pittsburgh won 20-16. Jim still has an out-of-whack right pinkie finger and noticeable hitch in his step to show for his time in the league.

Life will be much sweeter for the close-knit Harbaughs if each brother holds up his end of the bargain on Sunday. Then, it will be reunion time in Indianapolis with the world watching.