On Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens will be battling the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, but this time, there is a major difference: Derrick Henry will be on the field.
Henry joined the Ravens in free agency and is hoping to help Baltimore finally get over the hump, and that may very well include beating the Chiefs in the playoffs.
But before the Ravens potentially take on Kansas City in January, they will face the Chiefs in their regular-season opener, and Henry is ready to be a difference maker.
“Hell yes,” Henry said when asked if he wonders if the AFC Championship Game could have been different if he were a member of Baltimore at the time (via Ryan Mink of the Ravens’ official team website).
Now, Henry gets to participate in the rivalry.
“I was wishing I could suit up that day [when I was] watching that game,” he said. “But yes, now it’s my turn, so [I have] to take advantage of it. It’s going to be a hell of a game.”
Henry spent the first eight years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans, making four trips to the Pro Bowl and earning a First-Team All-Pro selection.
The 30-year-old did show some signs of declining last year in spite of rushing for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns, as he averaged just 4.2 yards per carry.
The Ravens better hope Henry doesn’t go downhill in 2024.
How important is Week 1 for the Baltimore Ravens?
The Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions, so September games don’t mean all that much to them. For the Ravens, however, this game certainly has significance.
Everyone knows that the AFC runs through Arrowhead Stadium. If you’re going to represent the conference in the Super Bowl, you’re probably going to have to beat Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs.
Baltimore found that out the hard way last winter.
So, how just how important is Week 1 for the Ravens from a mental standpoint?
It’s certainly not do-or-die, but it would obviously help Baltimore to prove that it can actually beat Kansas City, especially on the road.
The Ravens beat the Chiefs in the regular season back in 2021, pulling together a thrilling 36-35 victory in Baltimore. However, the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens have never been Mahomes and Co. in Kansas City.
Perhaps Derrick Henry can help the Baltimore Ravens finally achieve that feat.
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