Derrick Henry thought there was a good chance he was going to become a Raven at last year’s trade deadline. When it didn’t happen, did he watch the AFC Championship game between the Ravens and Chiefs, wondering what could’ve been?
“Hell yes,” he said.
As has long been rehashed around Baltimore this offseason, the Ravens only ran the ball six times with their running backs in that AFC Championship loss.
Henry couldn’t help but think things would’ve been different had he been on that field. And among the reasons why Baltimore feels the result will be different this time is because Henry will be on that grand stage Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium for the NFL’s regular season kickoff game.
“I was wishing I could suit up that day [when I was] watching that game,” Henry 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.”
Including the playoffs, Henry has played six career games against Chiefs and run for 672 yards and eight touchdowns. The Ravens’ bull in the backfield likes seeing red.
“They are a great team, have been a great team for a while now. Their defense is solid,” Henry said. “I think they are solid from top to bottom, have willing tacklers, [and] they are disruptive, so you just have to bring your A-game when you’re going up against those guys. I’ve been fortunate enough to have success when we’ve played them.”
Kansas City’s run defense was its weakness last season entering the AFC Championship and not much has changed, personnel-wise, on their end. In Baltimore, Henry’s presence looms large, but he will also need a young rebuilt offensive line with three new starters to block well in front of him.
“I’m excited for them to go and showcase them as a group and us as a whole,” Henry said. “[We’re] going to do our job and executing. It’s all tied in together, [and] we all trust one another.”
Nate Wiggins Is ‘Ready to Put on a Show’
First-round rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins opened some eyes during the preseason, but that’s the preseason. Now he’s ready to do it on a national stage in his first “real” NFL game.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am right now,” Wiggins said Sunday. “I’ve been working all my life for it, so I’m ready to just put on a show for everybody.”
Head Coach John Harbaugh said Wiggins will be “counted on heavily” during his rookie season, and he could get a popcorn-worthy matchup against fellow rookie speedster Xavier Worthy.
“I mean, speed versus speed,” Wiggins said. “I guess we’re going to see who’s faster.”
Beyond Worthy, Wiggins will have to defend passes from back-to-back Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.
“I mean, it brings a lot of joy,” Wiggins said. “In my first game, going against [someone] considered one of the best quarterbacks that ever played a game, I mean, that’s a lot. I’m not going to face nobody better than him. I mean, just get it out of the way. I feel like it’s a good thing for me.”
Jackon’s Blitz Preparation Improvement May Be Tested
The Chiefs blitzed Lamar Jackson on 43.5% of his dropbacks in the AFC Championship, nearly twice as many times as the Ravens blitzed Mahomes.
While Jackson had a better passer rating against the blitz than no blitz, including when he ducked under a sack attempt to launch a touchdown to Zay Flowers, the Chiefs also found success sending extra defenders.
Jackson’s pre-snap recognition and ability to audible into a different play has been a focus this summer in Year 2 with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, and Thursday night’s game will be an indication of how far Jackson has come in that regard.
“That’s going to take IDing those pressures when they’re coming; IDing how to pick them up or to block them or to throw off them with the hots and the different things and then executing. That’s what it takes,” Harbaugh said.
“When a team comes after you and blitzes, you have to meet them. You have to meet them where you stand. Stand your ground and then attack them. That’s what you have to do. We’ve been working hard at that – we always have. [I’m] looking forward to seeing how we do.”
Justin Tucker Isn’t Looking Back on Pregame Ordeal
The showmanship started in last year’s AFC Championship game started before it even kicked off with tight end Travis Kelce tossing Justin Tucker’s football and helmet aside as Tucker stretched near where the Chiefs and Mahomes were warming up.
Tucker wasn’t interested in revisiting that whole ordeal this week.
“All I’ll say about it is I’m excited to go into a great environment,” Tucker said. “And do everything I can to prepare myself to be ready to contribute to the Ravens winning a game.”
