Following the Baltimore Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, viewers were left perplexed by the lack of rushing attempts by the Ravens.
After leading the league in rushing yards in the regular season and facing a defense that allowed nearly 200 rushing yards against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round, Baltimore seemingly abandoned the run in the AFC Championship despite never trailing by more than 10 points.
The Ravens finished the game with only six carries between running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.
Social media was filled with viewers befuddled by Baltimore’s lack of rushing attempts during and after the game.
Ravens total RB carries per game Week 1 to the AFC Championship:
24
21
22
21
19
24
18
23
27
16
21
22
15
30
19
25
17
31
…
6— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 29, 2024
The Ravens called a running back rush attempt just three times past the 5:36 mark of the 1st quarter.
Shocking play calling considering the core of the Ravens offense and that the game was not way out of control.
— Adam Chernoff (@adamchernoff) January 28, 2024
The Ravens ran the ball on 49.92% of plays this season (most in the NFL) but only ran it on 28.07% of plays against the Chiefs.
Inexcusable.
— Iain MacMillan (@IainMacBets) January 29, 2024
Gus Edwards still play for you Todd Monken
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) January 28, 2024
The #Ravens running backs had 6 carries today.
Against a team that allowed 182 rushing yards last week.
For all the mistakes they made, that is probably the hardest to understand. #AFCChampionship
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 29, 2024
Ravens RB Gus Edwards finished the AFC Championship Game with just 3 rushing attempts. Fewer than any other game this season. That’s unacceptable.
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) January 29, 2024
Gus Edwards first run went for 15 yards. He’s gotten 1 carry since.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 28, 2024
I’m surprised the Ravens aren’t trying more straight ahead runs against a run defense that had problems this season.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) January 28, 2024
Head Coach John Harbaugh was asked about the lack of rushing attempts following the game.
“It was that kind of a game,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the way it worked out.”
