OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens’ ground attack is among the best ever in the NFL
Baltimore finished with 175 yards rushing in a 41-38 overtime victory over Cincinnati on Sunday. The Ravens have now rushed for at least 100 yards in 38 consecutive games, tying the 1935-39 Detroit Lions for the third-longest such streak in NFL history.
Only the 2018-21 Baltimore Ravens and 1974-77 Pittsburgh Steelers have a longer such streak with 43 games apiece.
In addition, the Ravens have 1,056 yards rushing this season and are the fifth team since 1980 with at least 1,000 rushing yards in its first five games, joining the 2006 Atlanta Falcons (1,160 rushing yards), 1984 Chicago Bears (1,084), 1980 Detroit Lions (1,073) and 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers (1,030).
The duo of two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry have provided a huge boost to the rushing attack that leads the NFL with 211.2 yards per game.
“It’s cheating,” Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said last week about Jackson and Henry in the same backfield. “If I’m playing Madden, RPO read with them two … In real life, they’re still doing the same thing. It’s a great duo they have back there.”
Henry leads the NFL with 572 yards rushing through five games. Henry is also the first Ravens player to score a rushing touchdown in each of the first five games of a season.
After a slow start, Henry has adjusted to the Ravens’ offense and is comfortable with offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s playbook.
“I just want to come in here and be able to help this team, [and] help this offense and have an impact, really,” Henry said. “This team has already been great; already had great players, and they’ve been winning for a long time, so I just wanted to come in and hopefully be an added piece to help us win more games and get where we want to go.”
Jackson has also been effective running the ball and he is second on the team with 363 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 53 carries. Justice Hill has made the most of his opportunities, running for 93 yards on 19 carries.
