Derrick Henry isn’t just looking forward to the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game – he’s looking for revenge. After watching the Kansas City Chiefs end the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl hopes in last season’s AFC Championship Game, Henry is now ready to change the narrative.
The four-time Pro Bowler joined the Ravens in March and is primed to make a huge impact in the season opener against none other than the reigning champs. Henry made it clear on Sunday that if he had been part of the Ravens’ squad during that AFC title clash, things would’ve gone differently.
“Hell yeah,” Henry declared when asked if he could have made a difference. “I wish I could’ve suited up that day. But now it’s my turn, so I’ve got to take advantage of it. It’s going to be a hell of a game.”
Henry has a long history with the Chiefs
The former Tennessee Titans running back knows all too well what it’s like to face the Chiefs. In four games against Kansas City since Patrick Mahomes took the reins, Henry has racked up 458 rushing yards and five touchdowns, with two games averaging over six yards per carry.
But he’s also tasted defeat, notably in the 2019 AFC Championship Game, where the Chiefs defense held him to a frustrating 69 yards on 19 carries.
Baltimore added Henry during free agency, recognizing the need for more firepower in their ground game. Last season, despite owning the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack, the Ravens strayed from their strength against the Chiefs in the playoffs, rushing fewer times combined than Henry did alone in that 2019 title game.
The Ravens’ rushing duo of Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards managed just 81 yards, leaving fans wondering how things might have gone with a bulldozer like Henry in the backfield.
It’s a new era for the Ravens with Henry
Henry’s arrival in Baltimore signals a new approach for a team with Super Bowl dreams. And now, the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game offers the perfect opportunity for Henry and the Ravens to begin their quest to dethrone the Chiefs. Henry is fired up, and the Ravens are locked in.
“It’s who they lost to to get to the big one, so I’m sure that’s in the back of their minds,” Henry said of the team’s motivation. “We’re going to come out and play Ravens football. Execute, get that W, and show everyone what we’re about.”
Henry’s first chance to make good on his promise arrives this Thursday. The showdown against Mahomes and the Chiefs is set, and Henry is ready to lead the charge.
