Owings Mills, Md. — Derrick Henry has made a significant impact for the Baltimore Ravens this season, accounting for nearly 2,000 rushing yards during the regular season, much of which came before the cold winter months set in.
“I don’t think anyone enjoys tackling in the cold — even the defensive players aren’t fans of it,” stated teammate Lamar Jackson. “When you have a 250-pound, muscle-packed running back charging at you, I wouldn’t want to face that, but it definitely works in our favor.”
The Ravens are optimistic that the regular season serves as just a glimpse of the effect Henry can have during the playoffs, which commence for Baltimore this Saturday night against Pittsburgh in the expected cold January weather. After an impressive season where Henry rushed for 1,921 yards and recorded a career-high average of 5.9 yards per carry, he is poised to assist Jackson in steering a vibrant Baltimore offense into the postseason.
Both athletes recently celebrated birthdays, with Henry turning 31 and Jackson reaching 28. Each has seen notable success on their own, yet this season their partnership has flourished. Jackson received first-team All-Pro accolades while Henry earned a spot on the second team. Defenses have struggled significantly to contain both players, sparking discussions around the MVP race: How much has Henry’s presence simplified Jackson’s responsibilities? However, the running back quickly countered that idea.
“My achievements should not detract from his, and vice versa,” Henry remarked. “We should celebrate both of us — him and Josh Allen. They each had stellar seasons. I believe Lamar, in particular, can enhance his stats even more. In my opinion, he’s the best player in the league, and his performance will only grow from here. What I’ve accomplished shouldn’t hinder his success; if anything, he has boosted mine.”
But this weekend’s focus transcends individual accolades; it revolves around whether the Ravens can successfully navigate the postseason. Jackson holds a 2-4 record as a starter in playoff games, and like him, Henry has yet to reach a Super Bowl and has only participated in the AFC Championship game once.
During his initial playoff appearances with the Tennessee Titans, Henry was a crucial asset. He amassed 156 rushing yards in a victory at Kansas City in January 2018, and two years later, he gained 182 yards against New England and 195 in a triumph over the top-seeded Ravens. However, that marked the closest he came to a Super Bowl, as subsequent playoff appearances ended abruptly, with him failing to rush for over 100 yards in those outings. The Titans then missed the playoffs in Henry’s last two years with the team. This led to his transition to Baltimore, which has reestablished him as one of the premier rushing threats in the league.
Moreover, it has granted him another chance to compete in the playoffs. “The postseason brings a different vibe since everyone understands what’s on the line, so I’m thrilled to be back in that environment,” Henry shared. “I’m looking forward to it; it’s been a while.”
Henry claims he isn’t particularly concerned about the temperature conditions, but his presence is undoubtedly a significant boost for the Ravens, who did not have him during last year’s postseason. It is expected that his performance will be pivotal in this first matchup.
In an earlier loss to the Steelers in November, Henry fumbled, but he rebounded with a remarkable 162 rushing yards when both teams met again last month. Baltimore led the league with an average of 5.76 yards per rush this season and aims to see Henry make a substantial impact right from the start.
“There’s nothing quite like the ability to easily hand off the football. That’s the foundation of everything we do. A team struggles to control the game if they can’t run the ball,” mentioned offensive coordinator Todd Monken. “Physicality is key to controlling the game, especially in adverse weather, and it sets the stage for all your game plans; that’s crucial, not just for us, but for everyone.”
