Derrick Henry’s move from the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens in March likely brought a sigh of relief to the Houston Texans. During his time with the Titans, Henry tormented the Texans like few other running backs have ever tormented a single franchise. He’s tied for the NFL record with six 200-yard rushing games, a feat shared only by O.J. Simpson and Adrian Peterson among the 163 instances of this achievement in NFL history. While ten players have twice rushed for 200 yards against the same team, Henry stands alone, having accomplished this feat four times against Houston.
With Henry now playing in a different division, the Texans might have expected respite from facing him twice a year. However, their Christmas Day matchup against the Ravens gives Henry another opportunity to add to his staggering 1,431 rushing yards against Houston. Entering the game with 1,636 rushing yards – second-most in the NFL in 2024 – Henry presents a formidable challenge. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans commented, “I think Derrick has found that fountain of youth… He’s playing fast. He’s playing physical. He is tough as ever. Looks like the old Derrick Henry. It’s going to be a difficult matchup for us when it comes to just stopping the run game, probably the best run unit we’ve seen all year.”
The Ravens’ rushing attack, leading the AFC with 2,718 yards and boasting a league-best 5.7 yards per attempt, is a significant factor in their success. Henry contributed 162 yards in their recent 34-17 victory over Pittsburgh, a game that tied them with the Steelers for first place in the AFC North. Both teams have secured playoff berths, but the division winner earns the crucial home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Texans, having already clinched the AFC South title, will face the Ravens at NRG Stadium on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. CST, following the Steelers-Chiefs game.