Pundits Debate Whether Steelers Will Have an Answer for Henry

One of the main talking points heading into Sunday night’s showdown for the AFC North title in Pittsburgh is whether Henry can run all over the Steelers the way he did the Packers.

The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer noted that 18 of Henry’s runs were out of the I-formation, the most in a single game by any ball carrier since at least 2015, according to Sports Info Solutions, and his 140 yards also were the most in that span.

Shaffer said it’s unclear whether the same game plan will be as successful against the Steelers, especially if Lamar Jackson (back contusion) doesn’t play.

“In a Week 14 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Henry had eight I formation carries for 47 yards (5.9 per attempt),” Shaffer wrote. “But he finished with 25 carries for just 94 yards overall.

“Despite having to defend Henry without injured rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, one of Pittsburgh’s key run stoppers, and despite having to account for Lamar Jackson’s run threat (two designed carries for 15 yards), the Steelers hit Henry at or behind the line of scrimmage 10 times, according to SIS. He had just one run for at least 10 yards. Harmon, now healthy, is expected to have a significant role Sunday. Jackson’s status is still to be determined.”

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell acknowledged that Henry is capable of having another epic performance Sunday night, “but counting on it might be a little too presumptuous.”

“The Ravens ranked 17th in the league in success rate on designed runs heading into the Packers game, and while that’s up from where they were earlier in the season, it’s a reminder that they’ve been way more dependent on explosive plays than they were in past years,” Barnwell wrote. “They posted a league-best 55.1% success rate on designed runs against the Packers in Week 17, with Henry registering two 25-yard runs and a 30-yard score for good measure.

“Can the Ravens keep that up into January? It would be easier with Lamar Jackson, who has a meaningful effect on defensive gravity and the attention paid toward Henry on the ground, but it’s unclear when Baltimore will have its two-time MVP back in the lineup. If it’s Tyler Huntley at quarterback, the Ravens will need another big game from King Henry to top the Steelers and claim the AFC North.”

Hall of Fame defensive end Dwight Freeney also said Jackson’s availability is a key factor in whether Henry can have another big game.

“If Lamar doesn’t play … I think the Steelers put eight in the box and dare them to throw the ball,” Freeney said on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams” show.

Adams pointed out that “the Packers tried that.”