ExtremeRavens Posted yesterday at 02:00 PM Posted yesterday at 02:00 PM In Tennessee, they called him “Dehember.” In Baltimore, the nickname has evolved into “December Derrick.” Derrick Henry has built a reputation on late-season dominance. The numbers support it. The Ravens’ running back has consistently saved some of his best work for December, dating to his Titans days. This season could follow the same script. Henry rolled up 100 yards on just 11 carries last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, the latest example of his cold-weather surge. He has now posted 16 games of 100-plus yards in December, more than in any other month of his career. With Baltimore’s offense searching for consistency and the Ravens fighting for playoff positioning with three games remaining, those performances could again prove critical. Maybe it’s the colder temperatures. Maybe it’s worn-down defenses. Or maybe the 10th-year running back simply flips a switch when the calendar turns. “I don’t know what it is, but it hope it continues on Sunday,” Henry, who turns 32 on Jan. 4, said ahead of a matchup against the New England Patriots (11-3). Derrick Henry's rushing and scoring performance compared with his career. (Michael Howes/Staff) Henry averages 92.8 rushing yards per game in December, the second-most of any month during the NFL season. Only January carries a higher average (143) in just a five-game sample size. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said that Henry’s late-season success isn’t tied solely to cold weather, but to game flow. As temperatures drop, Monken said that the running game naturally becomes more prominent, especially when Baltimore is playing with the lead. Henry’s physical style wears down defenses over the course of games, particularly in the second half. Monken pointed to late-season performances and playoff matchups in recent years as examples of how controlling the game allows Henry to become even more difficult to stop. In his first playoff game with Baltimore last year, Henry rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in the first half as the Ravens took a 21-0 lead over the Steelers at halftime. He added 86 yards in the second half, including a 44-yard score, in a 28-14 wild-card victory. In Baltimore’s recent 24-0 win over Cincinnati, 83 of Henry’s 100 rushing yards came in the second half after the Ravens took a 14-0 lead into halftime. He opened Baltimore’s first drive of the half with runs of 29 and 24 yards. “He’s a threat no matter what the temperature is. But I do think that as the temperature drops or the weather changes, the running game certainly comes to the forefront,” Monken said. “He’s a hard guy to tackle.” Derrick Henry's rushing yards per game. (Michael Howes/Staff) It has been a quiet 1,000-yard season for Henry, who takes 1,125 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns into Sunday night’s matchup against the Patriots. He opened the season with a fumble in three consecutive games. The 1-2 start was punctuated by Henry falling onto the sideline bench after slamming his helmet in frustration in a 38-30 loss to the Lions on Monday night. There hasn’t been a fumble since. Henry is averaging his second-fewest rushing attempts per game (16.6) since his first Pro Bowl season in 2019. Baltimore used Henry more modestly through the first 14 games last season at 18.1 carries per game, before increasing that workload to 23.7 over the final three regular-season games and 21 carries per game in two playoff games. Henry’s rushing workload has fluctuated over the past four weeks, ranging from 25 and 21 carries to just 10 and 11. “I haven’t really thought about all that,” Henry said of his lower rushing attempts this season. “I take care of my body so I’m prepared each and every week. I’m ready to go.” Derrick Henry's touchdowns. (Michael Howes/Staff) The Ravens remain one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North with three games remaining, a scenario that could prompt an increase in Henry’s workload, much as it did late last season. Baltimore faces New England and Green Bay (9-4-1) needing to keep pace with the Steelers ahead of a Week 18 clash in Pittsburgh that could decide the division. And if Baltimore reaches the postseason, Henry is dominant in January. That includes a 195-yard performance in the Titans’ stunning win over the top-seeded Ravens in the 2019 AFC divisional round. Center Tyler Linderbaum said that Henry’s physical presence is what makes him so difficult to stop, especially late in the season. Once Henry reaches the second level, Linderbaum said, few defensive backs are eager to take him on, a challenge that only intensifies in cold weather. Former Titans and current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel echoed that sentiment, calling Henry a “unique” player because of his blend of size, speed and strength. “He’s just a different body type than what anybody would go against,” Vrabel said. “We know what he’s about. Build, speed and stiff arm.” Henry hasn’t tried to explain the late-season pattern. But as December winds down and the Ravens try to push toward the postseason, the calendar could offer the same reminder again this season: when the games get colder, and more meaningful, Henry tends to be at his most dangerous. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.