Ray Rice's lack of playing time part of strategy

The quiet season of Ravens running back Ray Rice reached another low point Sunday when he stood on the sideline for nearly the entire first half.

Rice was replaced in the backfield by reserve running backs Bernard Pierce and Bernard Scott after the Ravens' opening drive. Rice opened the game with one carry for 1-yard, but didn't get back in the game until the Ravens' final drive of the first half.

Both Rice and Ravens coach John Harbaugh attributed the reduction in playing time to strategy, not because of Rice's nagging quadriceps injury.

"That was a decision really with the offensive coaches," Harbaugh said. "When we were backed up, we didn't want to put him in those backed-up situations. We didn't feel the need to do that."

Although Rice got more involved in the second half of the Ravens' season-ending 34-17 loss by scoring a game-tying two-point conversion in the third quarter, he ended the game with six runs for 15 yards and seven catches for 35 yards. This was a must-win game for the Ravens in order to have a shot at making the playoffs.