Could Derrick Henry have saved the Baltimore Ravens if head coach John Harbaugh had shown trust in his premier running back? The Ravens’ 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday didn’t just sting the standings, it ignited fiery criticism over Baltimore’s questionable play-calling.
At the heart of the controversy was Henry’s underutilization. He logged just 13 carries for 65 yards, tied for his second-fewest attempts this season.
Rex Ryan Livid Over John Harbaugh’s Usage of Derrick Henry
To make matters worse, Henry was absent from the backfield during the Ravens’ failed two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter, a decision former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan called “criminal.”
“This is why you bring Derrick Henry in,” said football analyst Damien Woody on ESPN’s Get Up. “For games like this, this knock-‘em-out type of game. How the hell does Derrick Henry have 13 touches?”
Ryan, who coached the Jets from 2009-2014, seconded the sentiment with his trademark sarcasm. He blasted offensive coordinator Todd Monken for neglecting Henry in a rivalry game that demanded physicality.
Damien Woody and Rex Ryan blast the Ravens coaching strategy vs Steelers pic.twitter.com/uyVWJoEEth
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 18, 2024
“Everyone in the damn world knows you should run the football with Derrick Henry,” Ryan said. “This is a physical game. This is not going to be a high-scoring game… Do you realize he doesn’t get started until he has 15 carries? Get him going. Run the damn football.
“It’s criminal he’s not on the field for the two-point play. You can keep Lamar [Jackson], run the same damn play. Derrick Henry better be on it, because right now, what are we doing?” the former Jets HC continued.
The Steelers’ defense made their presence felt by holding the Ravens to half their typical scoring output and stopping MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson on the decisive two-point play.
Jackson only managed a 49% completion rate — his worst since 2021. He struggled to find a rhythm against a gritty Steelers defense.
Meanwhile, Henry, a two-time NFL rushing champion, remained a bystander during crucial moments. The Ravens’ misuse of Henry isn’t just a tactical misstep.
Even Harbaugh’s explanation for the two-point debacle offered little clarity. “We have two-point plays called. We called one, they called timeout, we called the next one,” Harbaugh said, suggesting a timeout disrupted their game plan.
John Harbaugh said he didn't see the miscommunication between Isaiah Likely and Nelson Agholor. Will look at it.
He was also asked about not having Derrick Henry out there. "We have two-point plays called. We called one, they called timeout, we called the next one."
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 17, 2024
The Ravens have now lost all three games this season when Henry has 13 or fewer carries. Analysts were left questioning how a player like him — weighing 260 pounds with a rare blend of power and speed — wasn’t the focal point in crunch time.
With the loss, Baltimore fell to 7-4 and ceded more ground in the AFC North. Week 11’s performance was bafflingly timid for a team boasting the league’s highest-scoring offense entering the game.