Derrick Henry's Consistency Praised Amid the Baltimore Ravens Woes

In a season where the Baltimore Ravens have been defined by inconsistency—offensive slumps, defensive lapses, and playoff odds that swing wildly—Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has emerged as a stark counterpoint: a player whose unwavering consistency has drawn widespread praise, even as the Ravens grapple with their own turmoil. Henry, now in his ninth NFL season, has maintained his status as one of the league’s most reliable playmakers, averaging 92 rushing yards per game and scoring 11 touchdowns through 13 weeks—numbers that have barely fluctuated despite the Titans’ own up-and-down campaign. For analysts and fans alike, Henry’s steadiness isn’t just impressive on its own; it highlights the Ravens’ struggles with reliability, from Lamar Jackson’s inconsistent passing to their defense’s inability to stop run games consistently. Derrick Henry's Consistency Praised Amid the Baltimore Ravens Woes explores how Henry’s consistency stands out, the praise he’s received, and why it serves as a mirror to the Ravens’ current challenges.

Derrick Henry's Consistency Praised Amid the Baltimore Ravens Woes begins with the numbers that define Henry’s reliability— a statistical track record that few players in the NFL can match. Since 2019, Henry has rushed for over 1,000 yards in every full season, and this year is no exception: he’s on pace for 1,472 yards, which would mark his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. What’s most impressive is his week-to-week consistency: he’s failed to reach 70 rushing yards in just two games this season, and he’s scored a touchdown in eight of 13 contests. Even in losses, Henry remains a constant: in the Titans’ Week 10 loss to the Jaguars, he rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown, nearly single-handedly keeping Tennessee in the game. “Consistency is the hardest thing to maintain in the NFL—especially at running back, where you take hits every week,” said NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew. “But Henry does it year after year. He’s not flashy, he’s not a social media star—he just shows up and produces, no matter the opponent or the situation.” This reliability stands in sharp contrast to the Ravens, who have seen their rushing attack fluctuate from 180 yards in one game to 62 in the next, and their passing offense go from 300 yards to under 200 in back-to-back weeks.

A second layer of praise for Henry comes from his ability to stabilize the Titans’ offense— even when other parts of the team struggle. The Titans have dealt with quarterback injuries (Ryan Tannehill missed three games) and a banged-up offensive line, yet Henry has remained a constant, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and drawing double teams that open up opportunities for his teammates. In their Week 12 win over the Colts, for example, Henry rushed for 97 yards, forcing the Colts to stack the box and leaving wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins open for two touchdowns. “Henry is the ultimate floor-raiser,” said Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. “Even when things aren’t going right, we know we can hand him the ball and get positive yards. He keeps our offense on track and our team confident.” This stabilizing effect is exactly what the Ravens have lacked this season: their offense has often sputtered when Jackson is off, and their defense has failed to slow down opposing running backs (allowing 120 rushing yards per game in their three-game losing streak). Henry’s consistency, in this sense, isn’t just about his own stats—it’s about how he makes everyone around him better, a trait the Ravens have struggled to replicate.

Derrick Henry's Consistency Praised Amid the Baltimore Ravens Woes also includes praise from the Ravens themselves— a recognition of Henry’s impact from a team that’s felt his wrath. The Ravens faced Henry twice in 2023, and while they won both games, Henry still rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns combined, forcing the Ravens to adjust their defensive scheme to contain him. Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has openly praised Henry’s consistency, calling him “one of the few players in the league you have to game-plan for every single week.” Even Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, who has faced Henry multiple times, acknowledged that “Henry doesn’t have bad games—he has games where you just barely slow him down. His ability to show up every week is something every player should aspire to.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this praise is tinged with frustration: they’ve struggled to find a consistent playmaker of their own, with their rushing attack split between J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Keaton Mitchell, none of whom have been able to match Henry’s week-to-week reliability. Henry’s consistency, in this way, highlights a gap in the Ravens’ roster—one that has contributed to their recent woes.

Another reason Henry’s consistency is drawing praise is how it exposes the Ravens’ own inconsistencies— a contrast that’s impossible to ignore. The Ravens’ defense, which prides itself on stopping the run, has allowed Henry to rush for over 90 yards in three of their past four matchups—a sign that their run defense is far from reliable. Their offense, meanwhile, has been unable to build momentum like Henry does: the Ravens have scored more than 20 points just twice in their past five games, while Henry has been part of a Titans offense that’s scored 20+ points in seven of their past eight. “When you watch Henry, you see what consistency looks like—then you watch the Ravens, and you see the opposite,” said ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “The Ravens can’t string together good plays, can’t stop the run consistently, can’t even stay healthy. Henry is the antidote to everything that’s wrong with the Ravens right now.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this contrast is a wake-up call: they need more consistent play from their key players if they want to turn their season around. Henry’s example, in this sense, is both a benchmark and a challenge.

Finally, Derrick Henry's Consistency Praised Amid the Baltimore Ravens Woes wraps up with the broader narrative of reliability in the NFL— why Henry’s consistency matters beyond just one season. In a league where players come and go, and teams rise and fall with injuries and trends, Henry’s ability to maintain his level of play for nearly a decade is rare. It’s a testament to his work ethic (he’s known for his grueling offseason workouts), his durability (he’s missed just six games since 2019), and his mindset (he’s famously focused on “the process” rather than individual stats). For the Baltimore Ravens, Henry’s consistency offers a lesson: building a winning team requires more than just talent—it requires players who can show up every week, even when things are tough. “Henry is a reminder that consistency beats talent on most days,” said former Ravens running back Ray Rice. “The Ravens have the talent—they just need to find that consistency. Until they do, they’ll keep looking at players like Henry and wondering how to get there.” For the Baltimore Ravens, Henry’s consistency isn’t just something to praise—it’s something to emulate. Derrick Henry's Consistency Praised Amid the Baltimore Ravens Woes ultimately shows that in a league defined by chaos, reliability is the most valuable trait of all—and right now, the Ravens are still searching for it.