Ravens Are Thankful for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry
We're 13 weeks into the season and it still seems surreal that Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are in the same backfield. They're a combination more awesome than turkey and stuffing.
For Thanksgiving, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec and NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha each named something the Ravens should be thankful for. They chose Jackson and Henry, respectively.
"[Jackson is] a two-time MVP in the middle of the best season of his career, and his play in Pittsburgh was a blip," Zrebiec wrote. "We're in Week 13, and Jackson leads the NFL in passing yards and passer rating, and he's tied for first in touchdown passes. He also leads all quarterbacks with 599 rushing yards. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is 27 to 3, and all three of his picks should have been caught by the intended receiver.
"The Ravens are thankful for the growth, maturity and consistency their star quarterback has shown this season."
As for Henry, he has stiff-armed Father Time and bowled over the notion that age-30 running backs are in decline, as he continues to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. Arguably the best free agent signing in Ravens history, Henry has 1,325 yards rushing (second in the league), 13 rushing touchdowns (first), and 15 total touchdowns (first among non-quarterbacks).
"Lamar Jackson may be challenging for his third MVP award, but Henry has made a sizable impact on the Ravens' offense, as well," Chadiha wrote. "This team was 0-2 when it started feeding him the football, and a five-game win streak ensued. Henry averaged 148.6 rushing yards and 20.6 carries during that stretch. A lot of things went right for Baltimore in those contests, but it's fair to say Henry's presence literally turned around this team's season.
"There's also no doubting the Ravens will head into this postseason without their typically strong defense or stellar special teams. This team's championship hopes rest on the offense now. Jackson will do his part, but Henry will be critical to whatever success Baltimore enjoys in January and beyond."
Jamal Lewis Says Henry and Saquon Barkley Are 'Last of a Dying Breed'
The only running back who has been as dominant as Henry this season is Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles, who will face the Ravens Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Former Raven Jamal Lewis, a bruising running back who ran for 2,066 yards in 2003 and eclipsed 1,000 yards seven times, said Henry and Barkley are "the last of a dying breed" and their showdown feels like a matchup from his era.
"You can't name me a back, probably [outside] of those two guys," Lewis told The Baltimore Sun, "that there's a defense out there saying, 'Man I just do not want any more of him. Please do not give him the ball.' You got defenses complaining. … You don't have those guys that are going to just beat up on the defense to the point where they just don't want no more."
Like a lot of NFL fans, Lewis is looking forward to seeing Henry and Barkley share the field.
"I gotta get to that game," Lewis said. "I hope I can get me one of those 22 [jerseys] when I go up there to visit."
Roger Rosengarten Named One of the Biggest Steals of 2024 Draft
The Ravens' offensive line has gone from a concern heading into the season to a strength, and rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten has played a significant role in the unit's success.
Rosengarten was named one of the 10 biggest steals of the 2024 draft by The 33rd Team’s Jeff Diamond.
"Rosengarten was the Ravens' second-round pick, and he joined a team that needed to replace three starters on the offensive line," Diamond wrote. "When he became the starter at right tackle in Week 3 (after the Ravens lost their first two games), he helped the line to solidify and improve.
"He excels in run blocking and has helped Derrick Henry to a tremendous season as the league's second-ranked rusher. The Ravens have the top-ranked offense and No. 2 rushing attack, with Rosengarten's toughness and athleticism helping the run game and in pass protection for Lamar Jackson (he's only been sacked 16 times)."
Eagles Didn't Actually Use a 'Ronnie Stanley' Audible
Ravens fans, broadcaster Al Michaels, and even Ronnie Stanley all thought they heard the Eagles use an audible last week called "Ronnie Stanley."
Turns out, the Eagles were actually saying "Riley Stanley."
