When Baltimore Ravens' running back Derrick Henry runs the football, he's expected to make a highlight play. His signature stiff arm and top speed are must-watch. Henry added another highlight play early in the Ravens' Week 11 clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, it was for all the wrong reasons.
On just the second play of the game, Derrick Henry took a handoff up the middle but had the ball jarred loose by Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig, resulting in a quick turnover. For a Ravens team aiming to crack Pittsburgh’s tough defense, it was a disastrous start - and certainly not the one they had envisioned.
Fortunately for the Ravens, the costly fumble wasn't too pricey. The team's defense stepped up and held the Steelers' offense to only a field goal.
Derrick Henry has awful early turnover vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Henry’s fumble was his first in 538 carries, a staggering streak for a player who’s been the centerpiece of one of the NFL’s most dominant rushing attacks. The frustration was written all over Henry’s face on the sideline, a rare moment of disappointment for the usually reliable superstar.
That was Derrick Henry's first lost fumble in 538 touches, and he's not happy about it. pic.twitter.com/lVs3eUc7TM
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 17, 2024
Henry's frustration can be felt through the television screen. He wanted that one back. It looks like a bad day to be the bench Henry is hammering.
The Ravens’ defense has done its job so far, holding Pittsburgh to just three points after the early turnover, but the offense will need to respond quickly to regain momentum. That starts with Derrick Henry.
Henry’s fumble is an anomaly for one of the most reliable backs in the league, but it’s also emblematic of the struggles he’s faced against the Steelers throughout his career. Pittsburgh’s physical defense has consistently found ways to limit his impact, and today’s start suggests the challenge remains as daunting as ever.
Still, there’s reason for optimism. The Ravens have the firepower to bounce back, and Henry has proven he can rebound from adversity.
With Lamar Jackson leading the charge and Baltimore’s offense designed to attack in multiple ways, Henry is in the perfect position to turn this around. His ability to wear down defenses as the game progresses could be critical in opening up big plays for the Ravens later on.
The key for Baltimore will be composure. The Ravens have been here before and know the importance of keeping mistakes from snowballing. If Henry can shake off the early misstep and return to form, Baltimore will have every chance to take control of this game, and give their star running back the elusive win over Pittsburgh he’s been chasing for nearly a decade.