Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher, demonstrated not only his athletic prowess but also an uncanny ability to predict the future during the Baltimore Ravens’ recent 35-10 victory over the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills. On the very first play of the game, Henry sprinted for an impressive 87-yard touchdown, a feat he had foreshadowed just days earlier.
“It was indescribable,” Henry expressed on the Ravens’ website after the game. “I did an interview Friday, talking about starting the game off right with a big play, and that happens. Sometimes you speak stuff into existence.”
A Resilient Ravens Team
Henry’s explosive performance, which included 199 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, played a pivotal role in the Ravens evening their record to 2-2. This victory was particularly significant as it marked the team’s return to form after their 0-2 start, the first such beginning in nine years. With this win, the Ravens are now just one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lead the AFC North at 3-1.
Additionally, the Ravens managed to snap the Bills’ remarkable 43-game streak of not losing by 10 or more points, the longest active run in the NFL.
Keeping Perspective on the Victory
Despite the dominant performance against the Bills, the Ravens remain grounded in their aspirations. Safety Kyle Hamilton emphasized, “We didn’t win a Super Bowl today. It’s only Week 4, and we’re trying to get to what we need to get to — what we didn’t get to last year — so we have a long road ahead of us, but I think we’re on a good path.”
Historical Performance by Henry
Derrick Henry’s performance was one for the record books. It was his eighth career game with over 200 yards from scrimmage and multiple touchdowns, putting him just behind LaDainian Tomlinson (10) for the most such games in NFL history. Currently, he leads the league with 480 rushing yards this season, a feat not achieved by any player in the first four games since 2021.
Setting the Tone Early
Henry set an early tone for the game with his 87-yard touchdown run, marking the longest rushing touchdown on a team’s opening play since 2013. His swift speed, clocking in at 21.29 mph, showcased his unique combination of power and quickness, making it difficult for defenders to catch him once he broke into the open field.
A Team Effort in Victory
The Ravens capitalized on their offensive opportunities, scoring touchdowns on their first three drives. On the defensive side, they effectively contained Bills quarterback Josh Allen, preventing him from achieving any rushing or passing touchdowns—a first for him since 2021.
Allen acknowledged the Ravens’ superiority, stating, “They made more plays than we did, and it was evident right away. They had more urgency than we did. Sometimes you walk into a building and they were a buzz saw tonight. They kicked our butt. That’s what it comes down to.”
Learning from Past Games
After previous struggles in the final moments of their earlier games, the Ravens closed out this match decisively, pulling Allen from the game with 7:17 left on the clock. Coach John Harbaugh remarked, “Now we know we are just getting better. We know what’s possible, we know what we’re capable of, but we have a long way to go, and we have a lot of work to do.”
As the season progresses, the Ravens aim to build on this momentum and continue their journey towards playoff contention.