PITTSBURGH – This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off in a classic AFC North battle for control of first place in the division with the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers are not the only team in this matchup enjoying the success of their offseason acquisitions. The Ravens have a new weapon in their backfield alongside MVP Lamar Jackson: former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.
The 6-foot-2, 247-pound back has one of the best power to speed combinations in NFL history. The four-time Pro Bowler has led the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the last five seasons, and he’s showing no sign of slowing down in his new digs in Baltimore. H
“We’ve got to deal with the big runner and work to minimize his [Derrick Henry’s] impact on the game,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in his press conference on Tuesday. “Not only is he capable of wearing you down over the course of the game, because he’s a big man and the attrition component of it, but he’s also a home run hitter with track speed.”
Henry’s unicorn level of speed and size certainly can’t be stressed enough. After being released from Tennessee due to cap casualties, Henry joined Baltimore and has enjoyed an exceptional season. Through 10 games, he has recorded over 1,100 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns, and is averaging an incredible 6.1 yards per carry. Henry is once again leading the NFL in carries, along with yards, touchdowns, yards per attempt and yards per game.
“He needs no endorsement for me in that regard, there’s 2024 video that confirms that,” Tomlin said of Henry’s outstanding season thus far. “We’ve got to be on guard in regards to the run game all day.”
Pittsburgh has had Baltimore’s number in recent seasons, taking seven of eight contests since 2020. However, this is a Baltimore offense led by Jackson and Henry. You could easily say the Ravens possess two of the NFL’s leading MVP candidates in the backfield. Though Jackson has had troubles against Pittsburgh, Henry’s presence will create a near-impossible challenge. Tomlin admitted he’s not sure exactly how the combination of Jackson and Henry together in the backfield will play out against the Pittsburgh defense.
“I don’t think that you’ll really get a feel for that, or a texture of that, until you get in venue with them,” he said. “I acknowledge that there’s a balance to be struck there. We’ll try to strike it from a planning standpoint, but I really feel like that is a feel thing. I think that you’ll discover that in- stadium”
The Steelers’ defense currently ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing defense allowing 87.1 yards per game. Not surprisingly, the Ravens lead the NFL in rushing defense allowing 73 yards. Both offenses rank in the top 10 in rushing yards per game with Baltimore leading the league.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.