Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has a chance to join elite company in the NFL record books on Sunday. A second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Alabama product broke out in 2018 and spent the next few seasons establishing himself as one of the game’s great running backs. Blessed with elite size, strength, and downhill speed, Henry made four Pro Bowls with the Tennesee Titans before signing with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason.
Despite playing in his age-30 season, Henry is in the midst of arguably the best season of his career. Through 10 games, the running back has recorded 184 carries for 1,120 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and a league-best 12 touchdowns. The Offensive Player of the Year favorite has recorded a touchdown in every game of the season and, if he scores another in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’ll become one of just four players in NFL history to reach the endzone in the first 11 games of the season.
Derrick Henry Could Join Record Books In Week 11
According to Michael David Smith, only three players have recorded a touchdown in the first 11 games of a season: O.J. Simpson, Jerry Rice, and John Riggins. Simpson and Rice scored a touchdown in every game of their respective seasons, but Henry could top them all thanks to today’s extended schedule. Riggins, meanwhile, scored a touchdown in the first 12 games of the 1983 season, so Henry only needs to score a touchdown in two more straight games to match his production.
Getting the record won’t come easy for Derrick Henry. The Ravens face off against a strong Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has only allowed seven rushing touchdowns on the season. Granted, three of those came against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders last week, so perhaps the Ravens can copy that formula. While Daniels himself only ran for five yards, Austin Ekeler scored two touchdowns while Jeremy McNichols added another score.
Main Photo: Albert Cesare – USA Today Sports
