The Baltimore Ravens ended the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season last year. Now, they have a chance to do that again. The loser of this week’s game between those two teams will miss the playoffs. While the Steelers are coming off a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens just put up a convincing win without Lamar Jackson. That was mostly because of Derrick Henry’s phenomenal performance. Former NFL corner Aqib Talib thinks that the Steelers have no hope Sunday night if Henry’s hot streak continues.
“I’m sorry, can’t ride with these boys,” Talib said recently on The Arena podcast. “If you can’t go close the game out versus the Browns, then I don’t like it. If the Ravens come out and that o-line and Derrick Henry run the ball the way they did in Green Bay against a solid rush defense, Pittsburgh has no chance. I’ve gotta ride with the Ravens. At this time of the year, they just want it a little more, in my opinion.”
Henry had one of the best games of his career against the Green Bay Packers. He carried the ball 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns. He put Baltimore’s offense on his back and refused to be stopped.
That comes after he had 18 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns in Week 16. While some players might be worn down at this point in the season, Henry isn’t slowing down.
He’s been a problem for the Steelers in the past, too. Henry had 94 yards on 25 carries in the Ravens’ first game against the Steelers this season. Also, he dominated them twice last season, including in the playoffs, where Henry 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Pittsburgh’s defense had no answers for Henry in an elimination game last year. Now, it has a chance to right that wrong. It made a few additions this season in order to combat that issue. That includes drafting Derrick Harmon, who has been a key component of the Steelers’ run defense. He missed the first Steelers-Ravens game earlier this season, so perhaps he’ll be a difference maker this week.
However, if Henry gets going again, then it could be a long night for the Steelers. Their offense is already down some playmakers, such as DK Metcalf and Darnell Washington. If the Steelers fall behind, they might not have the capability to play catch up. Henry and the Ravens could leave them in the dust. Slowing him down should be at the top of the Steelers’ to-do list.