Ravens' bizarre Derrick Henry decision may have cost Baltimore a playoff spot

The Baltimore Ravens intentionally took the crown off of Derrick Henry's head.

Yes, he had fumbled earlier in the game. But King Henry also had 18 runs for 128 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Ravens' Sunday night game against the New England Patriots reached its crucial stages.

And yet, Henry didn't touch the ball on either of Baltimore's final two drives. The Ravens instead used Keaton Mitchell on early downs as Henry watched from the sideline.

It may cost the Ravens any chance they had at the postseason.

Derrick Henry, despite 128 rushing yards and two scores, did not touch the ball over the final two drives. https://t.co/dLGA7JAChW

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Frankly, it's bizarre and shocking.

Henry is the 11th-leading rusher in the history of the NFL based on yardage.

Based on reality, Henry is one of one. There's never been another RB with the size, strength and speed combined that Henry has.

Aside from the fumble, he was absolutely crushing the Patriots, getting chunk yardage on every carry.

The Ravens had a fourth-quarter lead. Henry is the guy who is supposed to help put that away.

Baltimore went away from him, though. In recent weeks, they've been giving more and more work to Mitchell, and they stuck with that tendency on Sunday night.

This just may not have been the time. With the Ravens' season hanging in the balance, shouldn't it be Henry trying to close the game out? We'll never know what may have happened if Baltimore just handed the ball to the legend wearing number 22. 

Instead, they left his crown on the sideline.

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