Baltimore Ravens fans might be feeling the lyrics of ’90s alt-rock band the Counting Crows right now: “It’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last.”
Fitting, given how Ravens and Crows are such similar-looking birds. In just eight days, we’ll be referring to 2026 as “this year” and 2025 as “the last.” And if the 3-12 Cleveland Browns fall at home to the 9-6 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the Ravens will officially be eliminated from postseason contention, and with that, the fan base will have no choice but to put 2025 behind them and move on to 2026.
When the Ravens fell at home, 28-24 to the New England Patriots on Sunday night, they put themselves in a position where they need to win out and get help.
It was a game where Baltimore had a 91.3% chance of winning, according to ESPN Analytics, with 12:50 to go. That was the moment Derrick Henry scored a touchdown, to put Baltimore up 24-13. He did not see the field again after that. Not only did King Henry not get another carry, but he didn’t even play after his 18th and final carry of the night.
He finished with 128 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The Ravens’ most recent game is eerily similar to their season opener- a Sunday Night Football affair against an AFC East foe (Buffalo Bills) who they had very much on the ropes, but could not finish off.
ESPN Analytics had the Ravens with a 99.1% chance of winning that game, as they were up 40-25 with 4:48 left. They would go on to lose 41-40. These two games do more than bookend the season thus far.
They spotlight the Ravens’ worst problem in recent years: an inability to close out games. Just in case you haven’t already seen the memes about this issue yet:
The Ravens lost all these games pic.twitter.com/udaXQlwAI2
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 22, 2025
This issue is frustrating enough as it is, but the fact that they have an elite, true closer makes it all the more aggravating to the base. Henry, a top 11 all-time leading rusher in the league, is right there, readily available.
Yet head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken continue to stick with their running back rotation, no matter what.
If Henry seeks a trade out of Baltimore this offseason, he would be more than justified in wanting that. It’s understandable, given how this Ravens coaching staff has tended to misuse and under-utilize him.
The repeated failures to seal the deal ultimately lie with Harbaugh himself. It is time for the Ravens organization to consider whether it believes Harbaugh can ultimately correct this most severe problem.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens continue snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
