The Baltimore Ravens are getting set for Week 2, and their game plan should remain very similar to last week’s: feed Derrick Henry. The stars are aligning too well for another big Henry game in Sunday’s home opener against the New Orleans Saints.
In their Week 1 win, Henry ran the ball 24 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. Against the Saints, he needs to see a similar workload.
Of course, this is Derrick Henry we’re talking about—there shouldn’t be a game that goes by where he doesn’t tote the rock at least 20 times. However, Baltimore’s concerning wide receiver situation and New Orleans’ highly questionable run defense make it blatantly obvious this should be another game where Henry runs wild.
The monstrous numbers should be right there for him.
Baltimore Ravens should let Derrick Henry run rampant again in Week 2
While Declan Doyle’s offense went nuclear in the passing game last week, he also let Derrick Henry loose. He married the two dominant forces into one lethal offensive unit. It was incredible to watch.
This time around, though, instead of evenly distributing the pass and run game, over half of Baltimore’s offense should run through Henry. It might be the best way for the Ravens to take advantage of the Saints' defense.
Baltimore might not have the juice to run a fearsome passing attack for all four quarters. I get it, when Lamar Jackson is throwing the football, no one is safe. He struck fear into countless defenses with Willie Snead and Seth Roberts earlier in his career. However, with Ja’Kobi Lane out with a fractured wrist and Zay Flowers hampered by a hamstring issue, this should be Henry’s game to shine…again.
The Saints just don’t have a good run defense either. At least it doesn’t look like it at the start of the 2026 campaign. Last year, they were roughly middle of the pack, allowing 120.6 rush yards per game. To kick off this season against the Detroit Lions, they allowed 156 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns to Jahmyr Gibbs on 5.4 yards per carry.
Clearly, that’s a prime area for Baltimore to exploit on Sunday. And it doesn’t get much easier making the opponent sweat when you have Derrick Henry on your sideline.
Henry could be even better this upcoming Sunday, too.
He made an Indianapolis Colts defensive line that occupies Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner look silly in Week 1. The Ravens’ offensive line also put forth an outstanding effort on the ground, helping Henry total 110 yards BEFORE contact. When you give Henry a chance to build up that head of steam, it’s over for the opposing defense.
Additionally, when you compare the Saints to the Colts, their talent along the interior defensive front doesn’t compare. Colby Wooden and Davon Godchaux aren’t much better than average NFL talents, and Cameron Jordan, while still a very solid starter, isn’t what he used to be. That should be a pretty easy group for Henry to expose.
While people have wondered if Henry will show any signs of slowing down at age 32, Week 1 proved that the answer is a firm no. Week 2 should prove it once more, but hopefully in a bigger and better manner.
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