Derrick Henry's long been called a closer, and on Sunday he did just that.
After Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed a potential game-winning field goal in overtime, Henry delivered the knockout blow.
On the first play of Baltimore's drive, Henry ripped off a 51-yard run down the sideline, topping out at 21.46 mph to set up first-and-goal and silence the Cincinnati crowd. Moments later, Justin Tucker drilled the game-winner, giving the Ravens an iconic 41-38 victory.
"[I saw] green grass; green grass and getting as close to the end zone as possible," Henry said. "I didn't get in [to the end zone]. I probably should have stiff-armed [the defender], but 'Tuck,' the G.O.A.T., he kicked the field goal to win the game, and we're going home with a victory. That's all that matters."
Henry's off to a torrid start in his Ravens tenure, becoming the first player in franchise history to run for a touchdown in his first five games with the team. He's coming off back-to-back games with more than 150 rushing yards, but the Bengals' defense stifled him early.
Henry had just 30 rushing yards on 11 carries in regulation as Baltimore relied on its pass game after falling behind by 10 points three separate times in the second half. But, in the game's biggest moment, Henry delivered.
"For [Henry] to still be there and to finish it the way that he did is a statement – I think it's probably an apt term," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
Henry added to his Hall-of-Fame caliber resume Sunday, joining the 10,000 rushing yard club and scoring his 100th career scrimmage touchdown. It was a historic day for one of the game's best, and he closed it out with a bang.
