Ravens Lean on Derrick Henry, Set Stage for Winner-Take-All AFC North Finale
For weeks, the formula seemed obvious. On Sunday against Green Bay, the Ravens finally committed to it.
Derrick Henry didn’t just touch the football — he controlled the game.
With 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns, Henry delivered the kind of performance Baltimore envisioned when it brought the veteran running back into the building. It was a throwback, physically dominant outing that wore down the Packers defense snap by snap and reminded everyone what Ravens football looks like when it is played on their terms.
The result was more than just a critical win. Thanks to Cleveland’s 13–6 victory over Pittsburgh earlier in the day, Baltimore now heads into Week 18 with a chance to decide the AFC North championship in a winner-take-all showdown against the Steelers.
The path is clear. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Derrick Henry didn’t just touch the football — he controlled the game.
With 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns, Henry delivered the kind of performance Baltimore envisioned when it brought the veteran running back into the building. It was a throwback, physically dominant outing that wore down the Packers defense snap by snap and reminded everyone what Ravens football looks like when it is played on their terms.
The result was more than just a critical win. Thanks to Cleveland’s 13–6 victory over Pittsburgh earlier in the day, Baltimore now heads into Week 18 with a chance to decide the AFC North championship in a winner-take-all showdown against the Steelers.
The path is clear. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Henry Sets the Tone Early
From the opening drive, it was evident the Ravens intended to lean on their most powerful weapon. Henry ran with authority between the tackles, punished defenders at the second level, and consistently fell forward for extra yards. Green Bay had no answer once Baltimore established its ground game rhythm.
Henry’s stat line was historic in its simplicity: 36 carries, 216 yards, 6.0 yards per attempt, and four touchdowns. His longest run went for 30 yards, but the true damage came in chunks of six, seven, and eight yards that slowly suffocated the Packers’ defense.
This was not finesse football. This was attrition.
Baltimore finished with 307 rushing yards as a team on 53 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. When the Ravens stayed committed to the run, Green Bay’s defensive front eventually cracked.
From the opening drive, it was evident the Ravens intended to lean on their most powerful weapon. Henry ran with authority between the tackles, punished defenders at the second level, and consistently fell forward for extra yards. Green Bay had no answer once Baltimore established its ground game rhythm.
Henry’s stat line was historic in its simplicity: 36 carries, 216 yards, 6.0 yards per attempt, and four touchdowns. His longest run went for 30 yards, but the true damage came in chunks of six, seven, and eight yards that slowly suffocated the Packers’ defense.
This was not finesse football. This was attrition.
Baltimore finished with 307 rushing yards as a team on 53 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. When the Ravens stayed committed to the run, Green Bay’s defensive front eventually cracked.
Tyler Huntley Manages, Improves, Wins
Quarterback Tyler Huntley wasn’t asked to do much — and that was by design. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. While the yardage was modest, Huntley played clean, efficient football and made smart decisions in critical moments.
More importantly, his growth as a passer continues to show in subtle ways. Huntley delivered the ball with improved timing on short and intermediate routes, avoided negative plays, and took what the defense gave him rather than forcing throws into traffic.
The Ravens only attempted 20 passes, but Huntley’s 105.6 passer rating reflects how well he executed within the game plan. He also added 60 rushing yards on eight carries, keeping the Packers honest on zone-read looks and extending drives with his legs.
Baltimore didn’t need fireworks from its quarterback. It needed control — and Huntley delivered exactly that.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley wasn’t asked to do much — and that was by design. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. While the yardage was modest, Huntley played clean, efficient football and made smart decisions in critical moments.
More importantly, his growth as a passer continues to show in subtle ways. Huntley delivered the ball with improved timing on short and intermediate routes, avoided negative plays, and took what the defense gave him rather than forcing throws into traffic.
The Ravens only attempted 20 passes, but Huntley’s 105.6 passer rating reflects how well he executed within the game plan. He also added 60 rushing yards on eight carries, keeping the Packers honest on zone-read looks and extending drives with his legs.
Baltimore didn’t need fireworks from its quarterback. It needed control — and Huntley delivered exactly that.
Packers Find Success Through the Air — Until They Don’t
Statistically, Green Bay found success throwing the football early. Malik Willis was efficient and aggressive before exiting with an injury, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. His average of 13.7 yards per attempt underscored how vulnerable the Ravens’ secondary was at times, particularly on deep routes.
Christian Watson led the way with five receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly exploiting space downfield. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed also found room to operate, as Green Bay totaled 296 receiving yards as a team.
However, the Packers’ passing success didn’t translate into sustained momentum. Drives stalled in the red zone, and Baltimore tightened coverage when it mattered most. After Willis left the game, Clayton Tune struggled, throwing an interception and completing just one of four passes for eight yards.
The Ravens’ defense bent, but it didn’t break.
Statistically, Green Bay found success throwing the football early. Malik Willis was efficient and aggressive before exiting with an injury, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. His average of 13.7 yards per attempt underscored how vulnerable the Ravens’ secondary was at times, particularly on deep routes.
Christian Watson led the way with five receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly exploiting space downfield. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed also found room to operate, as Green Bay totaled 296 receiving yards as a team.
However, the Packers’ passing success didn’t translate into sustained momentum. Drives stalled in the red zone, and Baltimore tightened coverage when it mattered most. After Willis left the game, Clayton Tune struggled, throwing an interception and completing just one of four passes for eight yards.
The Ravens’ defense bent, but it didn’t break.
Pass Rush Remains a Concern
If there was a lingering concern for Baltimore, it was once again the pass rush. Despite recording two sacks, the Ravens struggled to consistently pressure Green Bay’s quarterbacks, particularly in the first half. Willis often had ample time to scan the field, allowing routes to develop and exposing coverage mismatches.
Baltimore registered four quarterback hits, but those numbers don’t fully capture the difficulty they had collapsing the pocket. Against stronger passing attacks, this remains an Achilles heel that could loom large in January.
The defense compensated with discipline, tackling, and timely plays. Marlon Humphrey recorded the team’s lone interception, halting a Packers drive and swinging momentum back to Baltimore.
If there was a lingering concern for Baltimore, it was once again the pass rush. Despite recording two sacks, the Ravens struggled to consistently pressure Green Bay’s quarterbacks, particularly in the first half. Willis often had ample time to scan the field, allowing routes to develop and exposing coverage mismatches.
Baltimore registered four quarterback hits, but those numbers don’t fully capture the difficulty they had collapsing the pocket. Against stronger passing attacks, this remains an Achilles heel that could loom large in January.
The defense compensated with discipline, tackling, and timely plays. Marlon Humphrey recorded the team’s lone interception, halting a Packers drive and swinging momentum back to Baltimore.
Defense Holds Firm When Needed
The Ravens’ defense finished with 56 total tackles and limited Green Bay to just 79 rushing yards. While the Packers found success through the air, they were unable to establish balance offensively, allowing Baltimore to dictate the pace.
Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Trenton Simpson anchored a unit that focused on rallying to the football and limiting yards after contact. Even when Green Bay moved the ball, Baltimore forced long fields and capitalized on mistakes.
The Packers’ lone turnover — a Willis fumble — proved costly in a game where possessions mattered.
The Ravens’ defense finished with 56 total tackles and limited Green Bay to just 79 rushing yards. While the Packers found success through the air, they were unable to establish balance offensively, allowing Baltimore to dictate the pace.
Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Trenton Simpson anchored a unit that focused on rallying to the football and limiting yards after contact. Even when Green Bay moved the ball, Baltimore forced long fields and capitalized on mistakes.
The Packers’ lone turnover — a Willis fumble — proved costly in a game where possessions mattered.
Special Teams and Discipline
Baltimore also won the hidden yardage battle. Kicker Tyler Loop was perfect, converting both field goal attempts and all five extra points. Jordan Stout only punted once, a testament to how thoroughly Baltimore controlled possession.
The Ravens finished with no lost fumbles and no interceptions thrown — a clean performance in a game where discipline was paramount.
Baltimore also won the hidden yardage battle. Kicker Tyler Loop was perfect, converting both field goal attempts and all five extra points. Jordan Stout only punted once, a testament to how thoroughly Baltimore controlled possession.
The Ravens finished with no lost fumbles and no interceptions thrown — a clean performance in a game where discipline was paramount.
Browns Deliver Help, Division Now on the Line
Perhaps the most significant development of the day happened outside of Baltimore.
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 13–6, a low-scoring, defensive battle that reshaped the AFC North race. With that result, the door opened for Baltimore to control its own destiny.
Now, the Ravens and Steelers meet in Week 18 with the AFC North championship on the line.
Winner takes the division.
Loser goes home disappointed.
For Baltimore, the path is clear: repeat the formula.
Perhaps the most significant development of the day happened outside of Baltimore.
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 13–6, a low-scoring, defensive battle that reshaped the AFC North race. With that result, the door opened for Baltimore to control its own destiny.
Now, the Ravens and Steelers meet in Week 18 with the AFC North championship on the line.
Winner takes the division.
Loser goes home disappointed.
For Baltimore, the path is clear: repeat the formula.
Identity Found at the Right Time
Late in the season, teams are either searching for answers or leaning into their identity. The Ravens appear to have chosen the latter.
This version of Baltimore football is physical, run-heavy, and unapologetic. It revolves around Derrick Henry imposing his will, the quarterback protecting the football, and the defense making timely plays.
The offense has played slightly better in recent weeks, showing improved execution and fewer self-inflicted mistakes. At this point in the season, progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity.
The Ravens know who they are now.
Late in the season, teams are either searching for answers or leaning into their identity. The Ravens appear to have chosen the latter.
This version of Baltimore football is physical, run-heavy, and unapologetic. It revolves around Derrick Henry imposing his will, the quarterback protecting the football, and the defense making timely plays.
The offense has played slightly better in recent weeks, showing improved execution and fewer self-inflicted mistakes. At this point in the season, progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity.
The Ravens know who they are now.
One Game Left
There’s no margin left for error. No tiebreakers to analyze. No scoreboard watching.
Just one game.
Baltimore versus Pittsburgh.
AFC North championship.
Winner takes all.
If the Ravens commit to Derrick Henry the way they did against Green Bay, protect the football the way Huntley did, and tighten the pass rush just enough, they’ll give themselves a chance.
And in a rivalry like this, that’s all you can ask for.
The road is set.
The stakes are defined.
Now the Ravens must finish the job.
There’s no margin left for error. No tiebreakers to analyze. No scoreboard watching.
Just one game.
Baltimore versus Pittsburgh.
AFC North championship.
Winner takes all.
If the Ravens commit to Derrick Henry the way they did against Green Bay, protect the football the way Huntley did, and tighten the pass rush just enough, they’ll give themselves a chance.
And in a rivalry like this, that’s all you can ask for.
The road is set.
The stakes are defined.
Now the Ravens must finish the job.
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