The one factor the Baltimore Ravens by no means had for Lamar Jackson was a terrific operating again to assist him out. Mark Ingram had an excellent run close to the top of his profession. Between accidents, J.Okay. Dobbins was efficient.
However the Ravens, on this period, have not had a again like Derrick Henry. We might solely think about what the dashing lanes would appear like with defenses centered on Lamar Jackson. Now we all know. And it is clear that Henry nonetheless has lots left to supply at age 30.
Henry began off the night time with an 87-yard landing and had an enormous night time because the Ravens put an 0-2 begin behind them with their second straight win, a dominant 35-10 victory over the Buffalo Payments. Henry rushed for 199 yards on 24 carries. Final week towards the Cowboys he had 151 yards on 25 carries. He appears to be like like he is nicely inside his prime, even at age 30.
When Henry was out there this previous offseason, he reportedly needed to signal with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys declare they could not afford among the best backs of this period. The Ravens are fairly completely satisfied it unfolded that method.
Henry provides a component to the offense that the Ravens have not skilled. If the Ravens make it again to the playoffs, Henry can carry among the load that Jackson is used to having on his shoulder. That may’t be a foul factor.
Derrick Henry has an enormous night time
On the Ravens’ first play of the sport, Henry made historical past. Henry acquired between some good blocks and broke into the secondary. Henry is 247 kilos but in addition is without doubt one of the quickest gamers within the NFL, and although he is 30 with the heaviest workload within the league over the previous few years, no person was going to catch him. Henry went 87 yards for the landing and the longest run in Ravens historical past. With that, Henry grew to become the one participant in NFL historical past to have the longest run for 2 totally different franchises. His 99-yard run for the Tennessee Titans is tied for the longest in NFL historical past.
Henry scored once more on a 5-yard move from Lamar Jackson early within the second quarter and the Ravens led 14-3. The Payments have been incredible for 3 weeks to begin the season, however instantly, in Week 4, they have been unable to maintain up with the Ravens.
A few punts did not assist. The Payments punted on fourth-and-2 from midfield within the first quarter, and fourth-and-1 from their very own 39 within the second quarter once they trailed by 11 factors. It made no sense for Payments head coach Sean McDermott to punt in both spot, and it clearly damage his crew’s probabilities of staying within the sport. The Ravens scored touchdowns after every of these punts.
McDermott hasn’t been that conservative on fourth down this season, however like his crew as a complete, he appeared overwhelmed by the Ravens on Sunday night time.
Ravens shut robust
The Payments began the second half with momentum. Josh Allen had a ridiculous downfield move to Khalil Shakir whereas he was going out of bounds, and that gained 52 yards and arrange a landing. The Payments acquired the ball again immediately, however Allen’s arm was hit by Kyle Van Noy on a throw. It was a fumble that the Ravens recovered, and shortly after Jackson scored on a 9-yard landing run to place the Ravens again forward by 18 factors.
Even when Henry made a mistake it turned out nicely. After Henry had a 38-yard run to arrange the Ravens contained in the 5-yard line, he fumbled on his method into the top zone. However fullback Patrick Ricard recovered it in the long run zone for a landing and Baltimore led 35-10.
One of many causes the Ravens began 0-2 was that in Week 2, they stopped feeding Henry within the fourth quarter and that allowed the Las Vegas Raiders to return again and beat them. Since then, Henry has destroyed the Cowboys after which the Payments. It did not take the Ravens too lengthy to determine that Henry can deal with as many carries as anybody provides him, they usually’ll be a greater offense in consequence.
The Ravens had a terrific crew final season however no person like Henry. In an AFC championship sport loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, they forgot nearly fully in regards to the operating sport and that was an enormous motive they misplaced. That will not occur once more if the Ravens discover themselves in the same scenario. Henry is a future Corridor of Famer, and the Ravens are a a lot totally different crew with him of their backfield.