When you have a running back like Derrick Henry in the backfield, you’d figure the Baltimore Ravens would be dominant in short-yardage situations. That wasn’t the case in their Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. They couldn’t consistently convert.
On short-yardage downs, which we’ll define as plays where the offense has three or less yards to go, the Ravens were 2-for-9. On running plays alone, they were 1-for-7.
Here’s how they did on those scenarios in Brazil.
SITUATION | SUCCESS RATE |
|---|---|
3rd-and-3 or less | 0/1 |
4th-and-3 or less | 0/1 |
Goal to go, 3 yards or less | 2/7 |
Just horrible. Baltimore can’t let that issue become a persistent thing. Their rushing attack is too good to be stopped on those downs.
Baltimore Ravens’ offense is experiencing a short-yardage issue
Even Derrick Henry hasn’t been able to solve this rising short-yardage issue. Against the Cowboys, there weren’t just plays where he was stopped short; he was stopped with authority. It got to the point where if the Ravens were trying to run it up the gut, there wasn’t much faith that they’d find success.
And if you look at the numbers, this has never been Henry’s thing. Just take a look at this breakdown below from Warren Sharp.
Derrick Henry in short yardage (1-3 yds to go) since the start of last year:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 29, 2026
#70-of-73 in first down rate at 53%
#68-of-73 in success rate at 55%
#60-of-73 in YPC at 2.6
rest of Ravens key players first down rate in short yardage?
89% for Lamar Jackson
89% for Keaton Mitchell… pic.twitter.com/PUzhtW1LBu
Now, you have to add some context here. Henry isn’t great in tight spaces—if defensive linemen break through, he won’t be the guy to make you miss behind the line of scrimmage. He’s known for that scary build-up speed and ability to push guys to the side if given any space.
It’s also worth noting the loss of Patrick Ricard. With Ricard, it was like the team always had a sixth offensive lineman on the field. This offseason, Baltimore transitioned from a fullback team to one relying more on a blocking tight end.
They’ve essentially replaced Ricard with Durham Smythe, and while Smythe is good, he’s no Ricard. That step down has been pretty clear.
It's a bigger problem beyond Derrick Henry
It’s not exactly a Henry problem either. It may be a slight one at most, but more than anything, the problem here resides on the offensive line, and even in Declan Doyle’s playcalling.
The offensive lines Henry has played behind over the past two years have included many below-average players. Daniel Faalele, Andrew Vorhees, Emery Jones Jr., John Simpson, Jovaughn Gwyn…and Vega Ioane is only a rookie. Excluding Tyler Linderbaum, there’s not a single dominant name he’s played behind along the interior.
The o-line is a known issue and should improve over time as they continue to develop under Dwayne Ledford. However, Doyle also needs a go-to play when short-yardage moments come.
Ever since the Philadelphia Eagles trademarked the Tush Push, many teams have followed suit. The Buffalo Bills have the Snow Plow, and the Ravens had their own version last year led by Mark Andrews. That might be the route to go in.
It does look like using Henry in a wildcat formation has worked relatively well—it’s been used more and has already led to two touchdowns in 2026. Can that be the signature play, though? I'm not so sure it can be that high-percentage play.
Like or not, those Tush Push-like formations are a staple of today’s NFL, and if the Ravens want to improve in short-yardage situations, Doyle needs to join the club. Maybe it’s time to put Andrews back under center.
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