The Baltimore Ravens finally got back to the run game during their 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. While Derrick Henry (rightfully) got most of the usage, recording 11 carries and 100 yards, Keaton Mitchell also played a significant role, recording eight carries and 66 yards. It's not a coincidence that Mitchell's highest usage of the season led to the Ravens' offense looking better than they had all season long.
Mitchell's usage has been trending up since Justice Hill's injury. The blend of Henry's power and Mitchell's speed makes the Ravens' run game an impossible matchup for opposing defenses. At their core, the Ravens are a power running team, and they're finally getting back to this identity.
Fans have been critical of the Ravens' play-calling at times, most notably after their embarrassing Thanksgiving night loss to the Bengals, where they threw the ball 10 more times than they ran it despite having more success in the run game. Regardless, it's a positive sign that the Ravens are turning to the run game more since then.
As the 7-7 Ravens try to secure a playoff spot, continuing to depend on this duo and establishing the run game overall will be vital.
The Henry and Mitchell duo changes everything for the Ravens
A dynamic running back duo is a fairly common trend around the league. The most obvious example is the Detroit Lions' duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Baltimore's duo is a bit different in the sense that Henry is the clear No. 1, but his style is closer to Montgomery's. Nevertheless, the idea is the same, and it's easy to see why RB duos like this work so well.
Henry is a fantastic running back, and the importance of getting him involved is crucial. At the same time, if Henry is gets every single carry, the offense gets predictable. Now, if Henry is your primary option, but Mitchell still gets ample opportunities, that offense gets impossible to stop. With Lamar Jackson running the ball less, the Henry and Mitchell duo is even more important to Baltimore's success.
Imagine trying to stop a physical yet speedy 6-foot-4, 252 pound running back and then having to contain a 5-foot-8, 190 pound speed demon — that sounds impossible. As soon as you are somewhat used to one style, the Ravens can switch to the next. The drastically different styles of Henry and Mitchell keep opposing defenses and coaching staffs on their toes.
Mitchell was inexcusably inactive for the first four weeks of the season. However, in Mitchell's 10 games, he has posted 295 yards and rushed for 7.6 yards per attempt. While Mitchell has had an inconsistent role even since being activated, it's not a coincidence that Henry has averaged 13.1 more yards per game since he's been activated. Furthermore, in the three games where Mitchell has seen his highest usage, Henry has 397 yards.
Ultimately, for the Ravens to secure a spot in the playoffs, this duo will be at the center of their success.