Derrick Henry’s Shocking Absence: What It Means for Alabama and the NFL Playoffs!

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry showcased his talent in a game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, rushing for 128 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 18 carries. Henry made an immediate impact, opening the scoring with a 21-yard run with 12:21 left in the first quarter and following up with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Ravens an 11-point lead with 12:50 remaining in the game.

However, as the game progressed, Henry found himself sidelined during critical moments. The Patriots responded to Henry’s second touchdown with one of their own, plus a 2-point conversion, narrowing the Ravens' lead to just three points with 9:01 left on the clock. By that time, the Ravens were without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, which placed additional pressure on the remaining players.

During the pivotal final drives, the Ravens opted for Keaton Mitchell at running back. Mitchell carried the ball on just two of the Ravens' six snaps, resulting in a punt. The Patriots seized the opportunity, scoring another touchdown with 2:07 left, taking a four-point lead. In a crucial decision that raised eyebrows, Henry was again not on the field during the Ravens’ final possession, where two pass attempts ended in a fumble, allowing the Patriots to secure their victory.

“I mean, yeah,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said when asked if Henry should have been in the backfield during the decisive drive. “I look back, and I say yeah… but we’re rotating those guys throughout the game as two backs. But yeah, game-winning drive, do I want Derrick Henry on the field? Sure, I do.”

Mitchell concluded the game with just 13 yards on nine carries, highlighting the Ravens' struggles in the run game as the game slipped away. Henry, despite his impressive performance, faced criticism regarding his absence during those critical final moments. He noted that the team had been implementing a rotation strategy for weeks, emphasizing Mitchell’s contributions while maintaining his own readiness for the game.

Henry's performance, including a lost fumble at the New England 32-yard line in the first quarter, underlined the high stakes of the game. This loss pushed the Ravens two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North race, with only two games remaining in the regular season. The Ravens are set to face the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, while the Steelers go against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday before the two teams meet in a critical matchup on January 4.

Compounding the story of the Ravens' loss is the growing narrative surrounding the impact of former Alabama players in the NFL. On this particular Sunday, there were 39 former Alabama players on NFL rosters. The Ravens and Patriots game featured notable performances from several of them, including Marlon Humphrey, who made six tackles and snagged an interception, tying for the fifth-most interceptions by a former Alabama player in the NFL.

As the Ravens regroup and prepare for their upcoming games, they face a pivotal moment in their season. The decisions made on the field, including personnel choices and play-calling, will likely be scrutinized as they strive to maintain playoff aspirations amidst increasing pressure in the AFC North.