BALTIMORE โ Derrick Henry has seamlessly integrated into the offensive strategy of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, proving his worth not just through his league-leading nine touchdowns, but in his overall contributions to the game.
The seasoned 30-year-old running back has stepped up as a reliable option to help finish games, particularly after Baltimore faced challenges earlier in the season where they lost leads. In their recent matchup against Washington, Henry showcased his ability to run effectively in crucial moments, with eight carries for 56 yards that helped secure a 30-23 win, marking Baltimoreโs fourth consecutive victory. This season alone, he has recorded 34 carries for 184 yards in the fourth quarter.
โI really want to be that guy who helps close out games, ensuring everyone leaves the field happy and celebrating,โ Henry stated. โFinishing games strong is something I take pride in.โ
Henryโs increasing role in the offense is a reassuring factor for the Ravens, especially after they struggled to maintain leads in earlier games against Las Vegas and Dallas. His reliability has quelled concerns, as he has not only racked up impressive rushing stats but has also contributed with a few receptions this season, Complementing his 704 rushing yards.
โHe just needs a little opening, and he takes it from there,โ commented Jackson, who leads all quarterbacks with 403 rushing yards. โWhenever he sees a small gap, he charges right through.โ
Henry has continuously been a top contender for the highest rushing attempts in recent seasons, having led the league in four out of the last five. Currently, he is on track to do so again with 119 attempts over six games.
Receiver Zay Flowers emphasized Henryโs importance to the offense, saying, โNo matter the roster, whether at receiver or tight end, he has to get the ball.โ
In their recent game against the Commanders, Baltimoreโs dynamic โpick your poisonโ offense produced an impressive total of 484 yards, comprised of 176 rushing and 323 passing yards.
โWe have so much versatility,โ tight end Mark Andrews noted, having grabbed his first touchdown catch of the season on Sunday. โEveryone is going to have their moment to shine, and we capitalize on those opportunities.โ
Nonetheless, the teamโs defense continues to struggle with pass coverage. Despite not facing as tough a challenge as when Cincinnatiโs Joe Burrow threw for nearly 400 yards against them, Washingtonโs rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels still managed 269 passing yards and two touchdowns.
โEveryone has moments they would like to have back, including myself,โ linebacker Roquan Smith remarked. โThatโs why we put in the work daily โ to improve.โ
In terms of player performance, Flowers had a standout game, making nine receptions for 132 yards, all occurring in the first half. Jackson effectively exploited Washingtonโs defensive strategy, which focused heavily on stopping the run. Coach John Harbaugh praised Flowersโ impact on the game, stating, โHe made crucial plays in the passing game that turned out to be pivotal.โ
On the contrary, center Tyler Linderbaum faced a setback due to a misplaced snap resulting in a fumble, which Jackson managed to recover. Following the incident, Linderbaum expressed regret, saying, โThatโs the first time I lost a ball like that. Itโs a mistake I need to learn from.โ
Injury updates indicate that cornerback Arthur Maulet is making progress and could soon return from his knee and hamstring issues after rejoining practice. Harbaugh mentioned that the team would decide on Mauletโs activation before the 21-day deadline.
A noteworthy statistic from the game is that the Ravens held possession of the ball 12 minutes longer than the Commanders. They are currently ranked second in time of possession in the league, closely trailing the San Francisco 49ers.
Looking ahead, the challenge intensifies as the Ravens prepare to face Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday night. The Ravens are opening as 3ยฝ-point favorites at BetMGM Sportsbook in a clash between two high-scoring teams, both sitting at 4-2.