Tag: Derrick Henry

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Ravens in Week 12

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Baltimore in Week 12.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens in the second “HarBowl.”

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

Jim meets his brother, John, for the third time, looking to beat him for once and get revenge for Super Bowl 47. Justin Herbert has a favorable matchup against the league’s worst passing defense. But it will come down to whether the Chargers can limit Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry from lighting up the scoreboard like they’re used to. Baltimore scores a few touchdowns, but Herbert’s dominance continues en route to Los Angeles’ fifth consecutive victory. Chargers 27, Ravens 24

Alex K:

Baltimore has struggled on the road this season, but they’re still the league’s top offense. With Denzel Perryman (groin) out and Cam Hart (concussion) questionable, the Ravens may be able to move the ball against a strong Chargers defense. But Justin Herbert has been on a tear outside a rocky second half last week, and Baltimore is one of the league’s worst pass defenses. Chargers 31, Ravens 30

WATCH: A.J. Brown breaks down why he’s picking Saquon Barkley over Derrick Henry

A.J. Brown calls Saquon Barkley the best player and running back in the world

A.J. Brown has spent six years in the NFL, and in between stints with the talented Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift, the Eagles All-Pro wide receiver has gotten a close look at two future Hall of Famers, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.

While talking to NBC’s Devin McCourty ahead of the huge Sunday night matchup against the Rams, Brown admits that he was picking former Titans teammate Derrick Henry as the best running back in the NFL until Saquon Barkley leaped backward over a Jaguars defender several weeks ago.

Brown has now changed his tune and calls Barkley the “best in the world.”

Baltimore’s No. 2-ranked ground attack (177.3 ypg) is fueled by Derrick Henry, who leads the league in rushing yards (1,185) and total touchdowns (15 – 13 rushing & 2 receiving).

Henry (first 11 in 2024), the late O.J. Simpson (first 14 in 1975), Jerry Rice (first 12 in 1987), and John Riggins (first 12 in 1983) are the only four players in league history to score at least one touchdown in their first eleven games with a new team.

Barkley leads the NFL in scrimmage yards per game (134.7) and rushing yards per game (113.7). In Week 11 vs. Washington, he reached 1,000+ rushing yards for the fourth time in his career, having previously done so in 2018 (1,307), 2019 (1,003) and 2022 (1,312). Barkley is the second player in franchise history to produce 1,000+ rushing yards through 10 games, joining LeSean McCoy in 2011.

Only four players in NFL history have rushed for 1,125+ yards (1,137) and 8+ TDs while averaging 5.8+ yards per carry through the first ten games of the season — Barkley (2024), Chris Johnson (2009), Walter.

Payton (1977) and Jim Brown (1958 and 1963). Barkley became the first to reach those marks in their first season with a new team.

As Brown said, he’ll have a front-row seat for both players in the Week 13 Ravens vs. Eagles matchup in Baltimore.

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5 Ravens players to watch in Week 12 vs. Chargers

The Ravens pose several problems for the Chargers in Week 12, led by their dominant rushing attack.

With four straight victories, the Chargers are now set for a huge primetime matchup against the Ravens. Baltimore is coming off a close loss to their division rival, the Steelers, so they’ll be coming in fired up.

Here are some players to watch from Baltimore’s side of the ball on Monday evening:

WR Zay Flowers

Flowers is the Ravens’ best wideout and most dangerous pass catcher. His 727 receiving yards rank fifth, and he’s particularly potent after the catch. In that aspect, he ranks 10th in the NFL, with 362 yards coming after the catch. The Chargers secondary will need to keep tabs on him at all times, as he could pose them with some serious problems.

C Tyler Linderbaum

Linderbaum has developed into one of the best centers in all of football. According to Pro Football Focus, he dominates opposing defensive lines and has an elite 83.2 overall grade this year. If the interior part of the Chargers’ defensive line allows him to dominate, it may be a long night, particularly in the run game. The Ravens are second in the NFL in rushing with 177.3 yards per contest, and Linderbaum is a big reason for that.

DT Nnamdi Madubuike

Madubuike has a similar effect on the defensive line as Linderbaum does on the offensive line. He’s quietly one of the most underrated defensive lineman in football. His $98 million contract extension in March has proved its worth thus far, as he has racked up 5.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and 26 total tackles. Center Bradley Bozeman is the weakness of the Chargers’ offensive line, and they may be exposed on Monday against Madubuike.

EDGE Odafe Oweh

Oweh, a former first-round pick out of Penn State, is coming off a stellar performance. He tied his career high with 2.5 sacks against the Steelers in Week 11, as he was disruptive all game long. In 2024, he’s up to 7.0 sacks, already the most he’s had in a season. The Chargers’ elite offensive tackle duo must keep Oweh away (get it?) from Justin Herbert.

S Kyle Hamilton

No one understood how he fell to the Ravens at No. 14 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He was an All-Pro honoree in 2023 and seems well on his way to another appearance this season. His 81 total tackles already match his career high, and he’s added two sacks, seven pass deflections, a forced fumble, and three tackles for loss. Herbert must always monitor Hamilton on the backend.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 12 opponent: Ravens

Here are some important things to know about the Ravens ahead of the Week 12 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are at home to face the Ravens in primetime on Monday, Nov. 25, at 5:15 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 12 bout, here are a few key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Ravens are 7-4 on the season, with their most recent game being a loss to the Steelers.

Harbowl II

Jim and John Harbaugh will meet for the second time. Harbowl I occurred in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers 34-31.

Running up the scoreboard

The Ravens have been a problem to opposing defenses this season. Baltimore is averaging the second-most points in the NFL (30.4).

Lamar is legit

One of the main reasons the Ravens’ offense is impactful is Lamar Jackson’s play. Jackson has thrown for 2,876 yards and 25 touchdowns with three interceptions. He ranks first in EPA/play and success rate. Along with being a prolific passer, Jackson is lethal with his legs. He’s carried the ball 95 times for 584 yards and two scores.

All hail King Henry

The Ravens’ acquisition of Derrick Henry this past offseason has paid dividends. The former Titan has run wild this season, leading the league in yards (1,185), rushing touchdowns (13), and 20+ yard rushing plays (13). Between Jackson and Henry, Baltimore is averaging a whopping 177.3 yards per game on the ground.

Uneven defense

The Ravens have been stout against the run, allowing just 77.5 yards per game, which ranks No. 2 in the league. However, Baltimore has been torched through the air. They’ve given up the most passes (39.5) and passing yards per game (284.5).

Look out for…

Zay Flowers. Flowers, the second-year wide receiver, has established himself as Jackson’s top target. He has the fifth-most receiving yards (727) and is nearly always bound to make a big play.

Why was Derrick Henry barely involved during crunch time of Ravens loss to Steelers?

Derrick Henry had zero touches in the fourth quarter, and was not in the game for the potentially tying two-point conversion attempt  

The next time Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken meets the media, the first question should pertain to Derrick Henry, specifically, why the superstar tailback wasn’t part of the plan when the game was on the line.

If Henry is truly “The King,” then regicide was committed with the crunch time play-calling. Henry was not in the game on the two-point conversion attempt on Baltimore’s final drive, which could have tied the game.

Henry, with his 5.0 yards per carry, should have been considered one of the primary potential options in that goal-line situation.

He also had no carries in the fourth quarter. And while Henry did have one touch in the final stanza, a 15-yard reception from Lamar Jackson, it was nullified by an illegal man downfield penalty.

So, in other words, he had zero official touches in the fourth quarter.

Compounding his problems this afternoon, Henry also lost a fumble for the first time since 2002, a streak of 538 touches. However, this one very rare gaffe does not justify Monken’s decision to go away from him.

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Lamar Jackson will have to wait a few weeks to get that much-needed win over the Steelers after the Ravens sputtered in neutral for most of the afternoon in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.

The NFL’s No. 1 ranked quarterback in QBR, Jackson was 16-33 passing for 207 yards (6.3 avg), one touchdown, one interception, and a 66.1 rating, the lowest of this season.

Jackson had four carries for 46 yards, while Derrick Henry was held to 65 yards (5.0 avg) on 13 carries and one rushing touchdown, tying the single-season franchise record for touchdowns.

Zach Orr’s maligned defense held Pittsburgh to 4-16 on third downs and 303 total yards, but Pittsburgh held the football for 36:22, compared to Baltimore’s 23:38.

The Steelers held the Ravens ‘ top-ranked offense to 329 yards and just 124 yards rushing. Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals will further magnify the two-point loss. On the day, Tucker was 1-3 on field goal attempts, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was a perfect 6-6, including a 57-yard field goal.

Baltimore will quickly regroup before a massive Monday night matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

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T.J. Watt obliterates Derrick Henry as Steelers duel Ravens

T.J. Watt ran into Derrick Henry in the Ravens backfield

Someone is going to hear about forgetting to block T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

How did the Baltimore Ravens allow the great Watt as clear path to their star running back, Derrick Henry?

Watt knew exactly what to do and how to do it as he stopped Henry in his tracks and dropped him to the turf in the third quarter.

WATCH: Derrick Henry ties Ravens franchise single-season TD record with 15th score

Baltimore running back Derrick Henry ties the Ravens franchise single season touchdown record in game vs. Steelers

Derrick Henry came to Baltimore to win a Super Bowl, but the future Hall of Famer will likely exit with several franchise records.

Henry has now scored a touchdown in all 11 games the Ravens have played. Henry has 15 total scores (13 rushing, two receiving), which ties in with the franchise record held by Ray Rice (2011) and Mark Ingram (2019).

Henry has 1,120 yards (6.1 avg) on 151 carries, 12 rushing touchdowns, and one fumble.

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Ravens vs. Steelers: Derrick Henry and Najee Harris may impact tempo

Both Baltimore Ravens HB Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh Steelers HB Najee Harris rank top ten in rushing attempts for the 2024 season.

Both Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris rank in the top ten in rush attempts for the 2024 season. Henry ranks No. 1 with 184 attempts while Harris has 157, sitting at No. 8. In their week 11 AFC North divisional matchup, which running back will dictate the pace?

Sunday’s forecast may yield gloomy weather as the Steelers look to remain ahead of their rival in the AFC. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has already expressed a concern with defending the very deep depth chart of the  Ravens offense. So, expect Tomlin to rely on Harris and reserve running back Jaylen Warren to feature numerous carries versus the Ravens’ No. 1 ranked rush defense.

Henry’s usage may actually be more critical for the Ravens if his team wants to prevail on the road. With Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt’s pass-rushing threat, Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken cannot get pass-happy this weekend. Granted, Henry, a minimum of 19 carries will be important if the Ravens want to dictate the game tempo.

Tomlin never seems to get off schedule, and his determination is clearly expressed in his dedication to Harris and the Steelers ground game. Harris only has 645 total rushing yards compared to Henry’s 1,120, but Tomlin insists on feeding him the ball, knowing that the offense relies on his production. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh must be mindful of the Steelers’ game plan and counter by using Henry to control the game tempo and extend offensive drives.

Is Lamar Jackson’s Kryptonite the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Lamar Jackson has struggled mightily against the Steelers, with seven INTs and just one win since 2019. Will Week 11 be any different?

Make no mistake, Pittsburgh Steelers fans: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is one of the most talented players this league has ever seen. However, much to the dismay of Baltimore fans, Jackson seems to struggle heavily against the Steel City.

In his four starts against the Black and Gold, the Steelers have come out victorious three times. For fans curious about the last time Jackson pulled off a win against the Steelers, they would need to look all the way back to the 2019 season.

Throughout those four contests, the two-time MVP has looked awful, to say the least. Jackson has thrown for four touchdowns, seven interceptions, and an abysmal average passer rating of 66.8.

Failing to throw more TDs than INTs in any of the four contests, and throwing at least one INT in every start he has made against the Steelers, it isn’t a stretch to assume he’ll struggle once again in Week 11 when the Baltimore Ravens visit Pittsburgh on November 17 at 1:00 PM EST.

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