Baltimore’s Major Addition This Season: Derrick Henry and the Quest for a Postseason Breakthrough
As the 2024 NFL season progresses, few storylines have generated as much buzz as the arrival of Derrick Henry in Baltimore. The addition of the powerful running back from the Tennessee Titans has sent shockwaves through the league. While Henry’s legendary regular-season performances are well-documented, his struggles in the postseason are also notable. The Ravens, who have long been a team on the cusp of Super Bowl contention, are hoping that the “King” can finally help them push over the top and achieve the postseason success that has eluded them in recent years.
Derrick Henry’s Impact on Baltimore’s Offense
Derrick Henry is, without question, one of the most dominant running backs of his generation. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 247 pounds, he is a physical specimen capable of taking over games with his punishing running style. His reputation for stiff-arming defenders and breaking long runs has earned him the nickname “King Henry.” Over the past few seasons, he has been one of the most feared backs in the league, eclipsing 1,500 yards in three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021.
Henry’s move to Baltimore is significant not only because of his individual skill but because of how he fits within the Ravens’ existing offensive framework. Baltimore, historically a run-first team, has been one of the NFL’s most successful rushing offenses over the past decade. The combination of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s unique ability to run the ball and the team’s powerful offensive line has made the Ravens a tough team to stop on the ground.
However, despite their rushing prowess, the Ravens have struggled in the postseason. They’ve made several playoff appearances in recent years, including a strong 14-2 season in 2019, but have been unable to secure a Super Bowl appearance, let alone a championship. The addition of Henry to the backfield, alongside Jackson, is seen as a potential game-changer for Baltimore’s offense, providing them with a true workhorse running back capable of wearing down defenses and controlling the clock.
With Jackson’s ability to make plays with his legs and arm, Henry could serve as a focal point in a dual-threat attack. Defenders will have to account for both the running back and quarterback, making it even more difficult to game-plan against the Ravens. Moreover, Henry’s presence adds a sense of stability to the rushing attack. While Jackson’s electric playmaking is critical, Henry brings a level of physicality and consistency that can be especially valuable in the postseason, when games tend to become more grind-it-out affairs.
The Need for a Postseason Breakthrough
While the Ravens’ offensive talent is undeniable, their inability to perform in the postseason has been a frustrating narrative for fans and analysts alike. Despite making the playoffs in each of the past three seasons (2021, 2022, and 2023), the Ravens have yet to make a deep run into the playoffs, and their Super Bowl hopes remain unfulfilled. Much of this is due to a combination of factors, including injuries, inconsistent play, and inability to execute in critical moments.
The most notable of these struggles occurred in 2021, when the Ravens were eliminated in the AFC Divisional Round after a stunning loss to the Buffalo Bills. The loss highlighted Baltimore’s inability to keep pace with high-powered offenses in the postseason, with the Ravens’ offense stagnating in key moments. Lamar Jackson, despite his electrifying regular-season performances, struggled to find consistency in the playoffs, and the offense often faltered when facing elite defenses.
For Henry, the postseason has been similarly elusive. Although he is widely considered one of the most dominant backs of his era, his playoff performances have not always reflected his regular-season dominance. Henry has had several excellent playoff games, including a 195-yard performance against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 AFC Wild Card round, but his teams have struggled in the postseason overall.
A perfect example came during the 2021 season when Henry returned from a midseason injury only to see his Tennessee Titans fall to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round. While Henry ran the ball effectively in that game, it was clear that his team, as a whole, was not firing on all cylinders, and their playoff run ended early.
Both Baltimore and Henry have something to prove. For the Ravens, it’s about making that next step after years of disappointment in the postseason. For Henry, it’s about demonstrating that his regular-season dominance can translate into postseason success. Together, they form an intriguing duo that could potentially push the Ravens over the hump.
Derrick Henry’s Legacy and Motivation
Derrick Henry’s legacy as one of the most dominant running backs of his era is already firmly established. His impressive 2,027-yard season in 2020 is a testament to his incredible skill and work ethic. However, despite his remarkable regular-season achievements, the one missing piece in his career puzzle is a Super Bowl ring. At 31 years old, Henry is in the twilight of his career, and the window for him to win a championship is rapidly closing.
There is no question that Henry’s ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl, and his move to Baltimore represents his best opportunity to do so. The Ravens are a team built for success, and they have the defense, coaching staff, and talent to contend for a championship in 2024. With Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP-caliber level and the defense performing as one of the league’s best, Henry has a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run.
One of the key factors that may motivate Henry this season is the desire to prove his worth in the postseason. While his career has been filled with individual accolades, the lack of a playoff breakthrough has been a source of frustration. Now, with the Ravens, Henry has an opportunity to rewrite his postseason narrative and cement his legacy as a true postseason performer.
Baltimore’s Playoff Hopes with Derrick Henry
With Derrick Henry in the backfield, the Ravens’ playoff hopes look brighter than ever. The team enters the 2024 postseason as one of the top contenders in the AFC, with an offense that is more dangerous than it’s been in years. The running back’s presence allows the Ravens to execute their physical, power-based offense while maintaining the flexibility to play a more dynamic and explosive style when needed.
While the Ravens’ defense has historically been the team’s backbone, they’ve also shown an ability to adapt and evolve their offensive scheme over the years. The addition of Henry adds a new dimension, giving them a proven playmaker who can carry the team in critical moments. His size and speed allow him to break free from arm tackles and drag defenders for extra yards, making him a difficult player to game plan against.
In the postseason, where every possession becomes increasingly crucial, Henry’s ability to control the clock and wear down opposing defenses could prove invaluable. Additionally, his ability to run with power and break tackles makes him a reliable option for short-yardage situations and in the red zone, where the Ravens have sometimes struggled to execute in recent years.
If the Ravens are to make a Super Bowl run in 2024, they will need both Jackson and Henry to perform at their best. The two players complement each other perfectly, and their combined skill set could prove to be the key to unlocking postseason success. Jackson’s ability to make plays with his legs and arm, combined with Henry’s ability to grind out tough yards and break big runs, could be an unstoppable combination in January and February.
