The Baltimore Ravens have finally found what they had been missing: an actual star running back to go along with the speed and sorcery of Lamar Jackson. For years, it seemed at some points in time, the Ravens' running game flashed brilliance through a combination of Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, but no Derrick Henry, unlike Tuesday night in a 20-10 win over the Texans at M&T Bank Stadium, ever became its gridiron grail.
Derrick Henry Explodes For 87-Yard TD
All it needed was a play from Henry to change things. His very first play of the night exploded for an 87-yard touchdown, with the defense trailing behind in great disbelief. The game's outcome proved that, at 30 years of age, Henry still has much to give -37 yards on six carries as the Ravens shut the Buffalo Bills 35-10.
Last week, Henry ran the ball 24 times for an incredible 199 yards and still chugged away for 151 against the Dallas Cowboys. That's the kind of game-changing power the Ravens have been seeking- a back who could open up lanes in the running game and ease Lamar Jackson's life.
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Baltimore's Missing Link
It was leaked going into this offseason that Henry wanted to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, but the Cowboys passed on it, and the Ravens are basking in the benefits. His arrival brings an element that the Ravens have never experienced, according to Bleacher Report. He is a combination of man and lightening Jackson's load, giving the Ravens a versatile weapon as they make a deep playoff run.
The Marylanders call themselves rugged, and Baltimore's offense thrives on physicality. Henry is a prototype for that type of running game: someone pounds the ball.
That allows Jackson to focus on his passing game, which will make it harder for anyone to shut them down.
Breaking Records and Barriers
More than just the numbers, Henry's influence goes on. In his first game for the Ravens, he became the only man to score the longest running play for two NFL teams. His 87-yard touchdown run is now the longest in Ravens history, while his 99-yard sprint for the Tennessee Titans tied the longest in NFL history.
But the one big play wasn't Henry's only scoring of the night. He added a second touchdown when he caught a 5-yard pass from Jackson. It was his most versatile game, which was a very good start to the year for Buffalo, which otherwise looked dominant for three games.
Critical Errors Made By Bills
While Henry and the Ravens shone, two critical errors by the Buffalo Bills did them in. Questionable decisions by head coach Sean McDermott, including two conservative punts on fourth down, gave the Ravens prime opportunities to score. Each led to Ravens touchdowns, putting the Bills in a hole they couldn't dig out of.
It was halted even when Buffalo started gaining momentum in the second half. Josh Allen fumbled the ball back to the Ravens, who gave the ball back to Jackson. Jackson ran 9 yards for a touchdown and more distance from Buffalo.
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