Derrick Henry’s absence in the fourth quarter was a hot topic after the Ravens’ 28-24 loss to the Patriots. Many wondered why one of the NFL’s go-to players didn’t play during the final drives.
Henry scored a crucial 2-yard touchdown to give the Ravens an 11-point lead with about 13 minutes left. However, he didn’t see the field again as the team ran eight offensive plays—first with a three-point lead and then trailing by four with just over two minutes to go.
Coach John Harbaugh explained that Henry, along with Keaton Mitchell, had specific roles in the game. He planned for Henry to be the primary back for most drives, while Mitchell would take over on certain plays. Rasheen Ali was designated as the third-down back.
Before the second-to-last drive, Henry and Running Backs Coach Willie Taggart discussed which player would start. They decided Mitchell would kick it off, and Henry would finish.
Looking back, Harbaugh admitted he would make a different call now, saying, “I would have grabbed it and said, ‘No, put Derrick in the game.’” But during the game, decisions happen quickly. The type of play being called often determines which player is on the field. The first play of that drive wasn’t suited for Henry, prompting Mitchell to start.
The strategy seemed logical at the time. Harbaugh later reflected, “Once we got the first down, I’d have wanted Henry in the game.” He noted that he wouldn’t burn a timeout just to switch players, but he stressed the importance of having the right player at crunch time.
This kind of decision-making under pressure is common in the NFL. Coaches often find themselves balancing strategy and instinct in split-second moments.
Interestingly, a recent survey found that over 70% of fans feel the coach should have the final say on player placement during critical moments. It seems many agree that a player like Henry should be in during crucial plays.
While Henry didn’t show up in the end, the Ravens had learned a valuable lesson about player management and decision-making. It’s a reminder of how every play counts and the need for flexibility in strategy.
For more insights on coaching decisions in football, you can visit ESPN’s analysis.
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