Interesting stat highlights Ravens' biggest mistake in AFC Championship game
Why didn't the Baltimore Ravens run the ball more in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs?
According to CBS Sports, the Ravens only ran the ball 16 times in the 17-10 loss despite having the top rushing offense in the league. Kansas City, meanwhile, is 17th in rushing yards allowed (113.2), so abandoning the ground attack on a rainy day made little sense.
After the loss, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh didn't explain why the team aired it out instead.
"It was that kind of a game, I'd say," he said, via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "That's the way it worked out. [That's] the way the game went."
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson failed to deliver. The 2019 MVP completed 20-of-37 passes for 272 yards, one TD, one interception and a below-average 42.9 QBR. However, that doesn't excuse the Baltimore coaching staff for installing a poor offensive game plan.
They played into the strengths of the Chiefs defense — which is fourth in the league in passing yards allowed (181.5) — putting more pressure on Jackson. K.C.'s pass-rush capitalized, sacking him four times for 17 yards.
Harbaugh and company squandered a massive opportunity. This season was probably Baltimore's best chance to win its first Super Bowl in 11 years. The Ravens had a deep roster and finished fourth in the league in points scored (27.7) and first in points allowed (16.2).
Sportac estimates Baltimore will have $5.65M in cap space, meaning it must move on from players to create more room and can't spend in free agency.
They could try to run it back next season, but that will be difficult with Kansas City still standing in the way. As of Monday, DraftKings gives the Ravens the third-best 2025 Super Bowl odds (+900) behind the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
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