"Beyond coaching malpractice," "Disgusting football": NFL fans rip into John Harbaugh for mismanagement of Derrick Henry vs. Patriots

John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens suffered a 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 16 of the 2025 season on Sunday. After Baltimore fell to its eighth loss of the season, fans on social media slammed Harbaugh for not using his superstar running back, Derrick Henry, for most of the fourth quarter.

Henry, a five-time Pro Bowler, didn't touch the ball on either of Baltimore's final two drives. Instead, Harbaugh used Keaton Mitchell on early downs as Henry watched from the sideline. It didn't take long for fans to criticize Harbaugh for his rather unusual decision to keep Henry away from the action.

"Undisciplined football all on John Harbaugh no Derrick Henry coaching malpractice, egregious," one tweeted.

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

"John Harbaugh should be FIRED before the postgame podium cools off. You don’t bench Derrick Henry. You don’t waste a season like this. Baltimore Ravens fans deserves better than coaching malpractice," another added. "If Derrick Henry wasn’t hurt and John Harbaugh willingly left him off the field (while your generational QB is also out for the game) then he needs to be fired. Beyond coaching malpractice," a third commented.

Here are a few more reactions.

"If the Ravens lose tonight. I'm firing John Harbaugh tomorrow morning. Coaching malpractice to sit Henry for the entire 6 play drive when you were up 24-21 and needed 1st downs and clock killing runs. Disgusting football," one wrote. "We just ran 6 straight plays with a lead late in the 4th quarter and derrick henry was not in for one snap. Thats Malpractice. Get john harbaugh the f*ck off my team," another added. "The @Ravens didn't use Derrick Henry for the last 12+ minutes of the game Todd Monken, and John Harbaugh must be fired, or the incompetence will continue. The Ravens lose again," a user tweeted.

Henry had one fumble against the Patriots, but also posted 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. However, the decision not to use one of the best running backs in the league for the final stages of the game seemingly proved to be costly for Harbaugh and his team.

Harbaugh has been coaching the Ravens since 2008. He led the team to Super Bowl success in 2013.

Harbaugh has also led Baltimore to six AFC North titles, including two in the past two seasons. However, the Ravens are on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention this season with two regular-season games remaining.

John Harbaugh's Ravens will lock horns with the Green Bay Packers in Week 17

NFL: Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh - Source: Imagn

The Ravens (7-8) will lock horns with the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Saturday. The game is scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. ET from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Ravens need to win their two remaining regular-season games and hope that the Steelers lose both their games in the coming weeks, if they are to make the postseason.

According to the "New York Times," the Ravens have just a 7% chance of making the playoffs this season.

Edited by Arnold