Only 10 Carries for Derrick Henry? The Ravens Have Issues
In a game that called for Baltimore’s identity to take over, Derrick Henry, the most feared power back in football, touched the ball just ten times on Thanksgiving night. In what was a close game early, offensive coordinator Todd Monken chose to rely almost entirely on Lamar Jackson's arm despite the fact that those ten carries yielded a solid 60 yards and the Ravens' only offensive touchdown of the first half.
Henry averaged 6 yards per rush and consistently fell fought for extra yardage, but after his opening-drive score he received only four carries in the next 45 minutes of game clock, a baffling abandonment that forced a struggling passing attack (facing constant pressure behind a poor offensive line) to shoulder the entire load against a Cincinnati defense that ranked dead last against the run entering the night.
The choice fits a disturbing pattern under Monken that has tormented the Ravens all season: when the run game works early, it completely disappears the instant adversity comes. Baltimore began Week 13 ranked second in the league in rushing yards per game and top in yards per carry, yet in four of their five losses (including Thanksgiving) Henry has been given 15 or fewer attempts while averaging at least 5.2 yards on those rushes in every setback.
Monken’s play-calling seems to prioritize explosive passing plays at the expense of the very ground-and-pound identity that makes Jackson and this offense effective. Until the coordinator trusts the 250-pound hammer he begged the front office to acquire, nights like Thursday, where the Ravens lose by 18 points to a divisional rival, will keep happening. This same approach cost the Ravens a Superbowl apprearance in the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs before.
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