While the Baltimore Ravens have routinely ranked as one of the best rushing teams in the NFL during the Lamar Jackson era, they have often done so without a bell cow running back. Mark Ingram was perhaps the best during Jackson’s tenure. Adding Derrick Henry has seemingly changed all of that.
Henry appears to be aging backward as he hits his 30s. At an age when most running backs are thinking about retiring, Henry is currently leading the NFL in rushes, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. Henry has already crossed 1,000 yards rushing, and the Ravens just wrapped up Week 9.
The fact Henry is doing this immediately after joining a new club is extremely impressive, as running backs who leave their old digs aren’t necessarily in line for production bumps. Not only is Henry thriving, but he’s on pace to top 1,800 yards on the ground alone this year.
Henry is currently on pace to set a new record for rushing yards per game in a player’s first season with a new year, outpacing Ricky Williams’ averages after he joined the Dolphins in 2002. Henry will need to fend off Saquon Barkley, who is just one yard per game behind him this year.
Derrick Henry on pace to set NFL record in Ravens debut season
The Henry effect has also helped Jackson have the best start to his career. The two-time MVP is second in the NFL in touchdown passes with 20 while throwing just two interceptions, all while ranking second in passing yards. This offense has been a buzzsaw in the last few weeks.
With the defense taking a major step back following the departure of Mike Macdonald, Baltimore is well aware of the fact they will need to win most of their games in shootout fashion. Without Henry in the fold, the offensive downgrade could be significant enough to take them out of the contender tier.
With this 1-2 punch operating at peak efficiency, the Ravens look like a viable Super Bowl team once again. If Henry keeps this pace up, this will be the third season in the last six years in which he has led the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Not bad for a veteran on a two-year deal.
The running back is coming back into focus this season, and Henry is one of the biggest reasons why. If this continues, it will be the greatest debut season for a new team a running back has ever had in NFL history.