"Jackson and Henry Propel Ravens to Wild-Card Victory Over Steelers"
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BALTIMORE – During Saturday's AFC wild-card game, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson felt like he was watching a scene straight out of a movie. As Ravens running back Derrick Henry carved through the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, Jackson was reminded of the animated film Cars.
"Have you seen Cars? When Lightning McQueen is just flying past everyone, that’s what Derrick looked like," Jackson said. "He was speeding past those guys like it was a movie. Honestly, I’d rather watch it than be on the other side of the ball. It’s incredible."
Henry’s performance was nothing short of cinematic. He set a Ravens postseason record with 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns, powering Baltimore to a decisive 28-14 victory at M&T Bank Stadium. Using a mix of stiff arms and explosive sprints, Henry logged his fourth playoff game with 150 or more rushing yards, tying NFL legend Terrell Davis for the most in postseason history.
With the win, the Ravens advanced to the divisional round, where they will face either the Buffalo Bills or host the Houston Texans. Henry’s dazzling 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter is sure to remain a highlight in Baltimore’s memory as they prepare for the next challenge.
"Watching Lamar run is always exciting, but seeing Derrick Henry break away for a touchdown? That’s a whole other level," said Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. "It’s like watching a 6-foot-5 gazelle out there."
The Ravens' dominance on the ground was unmatched, even without Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Baltimore leaned heavily on their running game, rushing on 50 of their 72 offensive plays. A prime example of this strategy was an 85-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, where every one of the 13 plays was a run, capped by Henry’s 8-yard score.
In total, the Ravens amassed 299 rushing yards, breaking their franchise postseason record. It also marked the most rushing yards in a playoff game since the 2012 San Francisco 49ers tallied 323 yards in a divisional round victory.
Jackson contributed 81 rushing yards himself, adding to the Ravens' historic ground game performance. As they look ahead to the divisional round, Baltimore carries the momentum of a victory defined by grit, strategy, and Derrick Henry’s show-stopping plays.
“We’re not going to get too far ahead of ourselves or start celebrating too much,” Henry said. “We’ll stay grounded, enjoy this win, review the film to find areas to improve, and then focus on the next game.”
Henry’s first big play came from a new addition to the playbook introduced by offensive coordinator Todd Monken during Thursday's practice. In the wildcat formation, Henry took a direct snap and ran 34 yards, setting up the game’s first touchdown.
Later, in the third quarter, Henry broke through the Steelers' defense for a stunning 44-yard touchdown run, his longest in postseason history. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Henry hit a top speed of 20.6 mph during the play, marking the second time this season he surpassed 20 mph on a touchdown run.
“Derrick is a workhorse; he’s just built different,” Jackson said. “I can hand him the ball, and he’s off for 10, 20, or 30 yards while I just watch.”
When Jackson wasn’t handing the ball off to Henry, he was making plays with his legs. His 15 carries, the second-most of his season, included taking a knee to the back. On the sidelines, Jackson was seen using a heat pack, but he reassured everyone he was fine.
“I’m good,” Jackson said. “It didn’t bother me much, just a minor annoyance. Nothing to be concerned about.”
Looking ahead, the Ravens will face either the Bills or the Texans, teams they defeated by a combined score of 66-12 during the regular season. If the Bills beat the Broncos, Baltimore will travel to Buffalo next weekend. If the Bills lose, the Ravens will host the Texans at home.
With both Henry and Jackson in top form, the Ravens feel confident no matter who their next opponent is.
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