49ers’ Jim Harbaugh could use some brotherly advice

In getting his team ready to play Pittsburgh on Monday night, San Francisco Coach Jim Harbaugh surely dialed up the 410 defense.

That’s the area code for Baltimore, where Harbaugh’s older brother, John, is coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who play the Steelers at least twice a season.

The Harbaughs talk every week.

“Just the usual,” Jim said, when asked about the latest topic of discussion. “We did speak earlier this week. We talked about [the Steelers]. We talked about last week’s game, talked about this week’s game as we often do.

John Harbaugh, whose team swept the Steelers this season, asked a Ravens official whether he was allowed to help his brother with any tips.

“I’m sure there will be some of that,” the Ravens coach said. “You know, coaches, really, the truth is, coaches do that around the league based on best interest and things like that. I know for a fact a lot of coaches have spent a lot of time talking about us before they play us, so I’m sure we’ll try to help him in some way if we can.”

Brotherhood has its perks.

Pep rallies

This is the first season that four teams have had at least five fourth-quarter comeback victories: Arizona, Cincinnati, Denver and the New York Giants.

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only five teams have had at least six fourth-quarter comeback wins in a season.

The teams with the most fourth-quarter comeback wins in a single season since 1970:

YEAR TEAM WINS
2009 Indianapolis 7 1978 Houston Oilers 6
1985 Denver 6
1992 Miami 6
1999 Indianapolis 6
Source: NFL

Bodies of work

Jets Coach Rex Ryan was asked this week about Andy Reid, his Philadelphia Eagles counterpart, who will be standing on the opposite sideline Sunday. Ryan said the comparisons run deep.

“I think both of us are extremely handsome,” Ryan said. “I think that’s the thing that really jumps out at you. They say it’s a big man’s game and there you have it.

Two of the biggest coaches in the league going at it. But clearly, I respect the heck out of Andy. He’s a tremendous coach, probably a Hall of Fame-type coach. So think what he’s done, his resume, is as impressive as anybody’s.”

Philadelphia fans will need more convincing. They have frequently chanted “Fire Andy!” this season. At 5-8, the Eagles still have a faint pulse in the playoff race but would be an extreme longshot to reach the postseason.

“I’ve watched their talent,” Ryan said. “That doesn’t look like a 5-8 team. They’re fourth in the league in offense, 11th in defense, so the numbers don’t make sense right there. They’ve had some struggles, but I’m going to tell you this: They probably have as much talent as any team in this league.”

And that might be the biggest indictment of all.

Young guns

Five rookie quarterbacks have led their teams to at least one victory this season: Cincinnati has won seven times with Andy Dalton starting, Carolina has won four with Cam Newton, Jacksonville has won three with Blaine Gabbert, Houston has won two with T.J. Yates and Minnesota has won one with Christian Ponder.

Those 17 victories with rookies starting at quarterback are tied for the third most of any season since 1970. All five of those players are expected to start Sunday, and a rookie is guaranteed to get a win in the Carolina-Houston game (Newton vs. Yates).

The most wins in a season by teams starting rookie quarterbacks since 1970:

SEASON WINS
2008 22
2004 18
2011* 17
2006 17
1971 16

*Through Week 14
Source: NFL
sam.farmer@latimes.com