The Ravens’ brass, including head coach John Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta, spoke Wednesday on a wide range of topics. Most focused on the next steps for Baltimore as it picks up the pieces and dive headlong into the offseason.
After assembling a star-studded team, led by superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens posted a 12-5 regular season record before their season ended in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
In the third quarter, the Ravens trailed 21-13 and marched 80 yards in seven plays for a touchdown with 1:37 left in the quarter. Henry carried the ball on five of those plays and gained 46 yards. He had two carries the rest of the game.
The Ravens ran the football on six of their next seven plays, with running back Derrick Henry gaining 46 yards on five carries, including 17 yards on a third-and-1 snap and 5 on a touchdown tote with 1:37 remaining in the third period.
The Ravens lost 27-25 to the Bills in the Divisional Round and Mark Andrews, Todd Monken, and Derrick Henry are most to blame.
This is the problem for teams facing Baltimore this season. Even when you have the right answers, the Ravens’ pairing of Jackson and Henry might be too much to overcome. An evolving quarterback, the most dangerous run duo in the game, and an offense built to beat a defense in a multitude of ways is quite a challenge for a defense to overcome.
Track Derrick Henry as the former Tennessee Titans running back, now with the Baltimore Ravens, faces the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round.
Derrick Henry and the Ravens have it going now. Baltimore ran for 68 yards on its seven-play, 80-yard drive that now has them within 21-19 after a failed two-point conversion. Henry had runs of 6, 3,
Harbaugh followed "the coaches book" and went for two points. But the Jackson pass attempt was batted down by Bills LB Matt Milano and the Ravens remained down by two. This decision to go for two rather than kick an extra point would come back to haunt the Ravens.
Peter Schrager praises John Harbaugh for his ‘riveting’ speech to the team after the playoff loss. The Ravens’ lack of takeaways in the playoffs are a recurring theme. Rob Gronkowski says Mark Andrews can use adversity as fuel.
General manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh are already preparing themselves for what next season brings.