The Baltimore Ravens have never had a standout running back to support Lamar Jackson, with Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins showing flashes of effectiveness but not living up to the standard set by elite backs. This week, Derrick Henry made a remarkable impact on the Ravens’ offense, demonstrating he still has much to give at age 30.
Henry opened the game with an impressive 87-yard touchdown run, part of a dominant performance that helped the Ravens bounce back from an 0-2 start to secure a 35-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills. He finished the night with 199 rushing yards on 24 carries, building on a 151-yard performance against the Cowboys the previous week. His performance suggests he is still in his prime.
Over the offseason, Henry expressed interest in joining the Dallas Cowboys, but financial constraints prevented that from happening. The Ravens are certainly pleased with how things turned out, as Henry brings a new dynamic to their offense that could help lighten Jackson’s workload, especially if they aim for a playoff run.
Henry made history on the Ravens’ first play, breaking through for an 87-yard run, which is now the longest run in Ravens history. This run also made him the only player in NFL history to have the longest run for two different franchises, having previously set the record with a 99-yard run for the Tennessee Titans.
He further contributed to the scoreboard with a 5-yard touchdown reception from Jackson early in the second quarter, helping the Ravens establish a 14-3 lead. The Bills struggled to keep pace, with missed opportunities and conservative play calling by head coach Sean McDermott leading to two key punts that ultimately favored Baltimore.
As the second half began, the Bills showed some promise but quickly faltered when a mishandled pass by quarterback Josh Allen resulted in a fumble recovered by the Ravens, paving the way for Jackson to score again and extend the lead to 18 points.
In another twist, Henry fumbled while trying to score after a long run, but fullback Patrick Ricard recovered in the end zone, wrapping up the game at 35-10.
A key factor in the Ravens’ slow start to the season was their underutilization of Henry, particularly in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders. Since then, he has been a dominant force, leading to a significant improvement in their offensive output. The Ravens are learning to maximize Henry’s abilities, making them a more formidable team. With his future Hall of Fame credentials, Henry is proving to be a game-changer for the Ravens as they seek to reclaim success in the postseason.