The Baltimore Ravens’ running back Derrick Henry stepped up significantly as quarterback Lamar Jackson was sidelined during Saturday night’s game at Lambeau Field, guiding the Ravens to a commanding 41-24 win.
Henry delivered an impressive performance, rushing for 216 yards and achieving a career-high of four rushing touchdowns on a record 36 carries, averaging 6 yards per attempt. This feat marked his seventh career game of rushing for over 200 yards, allowing him to surpass both Adrian Peterson and Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson for the most in NFL history. The 216 rushing yards set a record for the most by a visiting player against the Packers. Additionally, Henry matched Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s record for the most games with 200+ rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, reaching that milestone twice. He accumulated 103 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone.
With this game, Henry now has 122 career rushing touchdowns, ranking him fourth in NFL history. In the first half, the Green Bay Packers made two critical errors, first failing on a fourth-and-inches play at their own 34 and later fumbling the snap, leading to a turnover. However, the Ravens could only capitalize on those mistakes with two field goals. A dropped pass by wide receiver Bo Melton during the fourth quarter was intercepted by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, sealing the game for Baltimore. This turnover occurred when Packers’ backup quarterback Clayton Tune stepped in for Malik Willis, who aggravated an existing shoulder injury. Following the interception, Henry added his final rushing touchdown on a 25-yard play.
Malik Willis had a notable game as well, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown, a 39-yard pass to wide receiver Christian Watson. He also added 60 rushing yards, including two touchdown runs of 22 and 11 yards. This performance made him the first player in Packers history to achieve over 250 yards passing and 50 yards rushing with two rushing touchdowns in a single game, showcasing a strong performance in the absence of Jordan Love, who was out due to a concussion.
The Ravens are still in contention for the AFC North title but will need the Cleveland Browns to defeat the division-leading Steelers to set up a decisive matchup in Week 18. Meanwhile, the Packers dropped to a record of 9-6-1, having already secured a playoff spot, now locked in as the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Insights
Derrick Henry Dominates
At 31 years old, Henry showcased phenomenal skill reminiscent of a much younger player as he dominated the Packers’ defense. His signature stiff arm and decisive runs made it seem almost inevitable that he would secure first downs every time he had the football. His extraordinary achievement of averaging 6 yards per carry in frigid temperatures is remarkable. Unfortunately, the Ravens’ playoff hopes hinge on the Browns upsetting the Steelers.
Malik Willis Shines
As he heads toward free agency in 2026, Willis significantly improved his prospects with an impressive game. Averaging 13.7 yards per pass attempt, he posted the best stats for a quarterback with over 50 rushing yards in the last 50 seasons. With Love sidelined, the Packers’ offense did not miss a beat, although a miscommunication led to a fumble that favored the Ravens. Willis’s performance is sure to attract interest from teams needing a quarterback this offseason.
Packers’ Defense Misses Micah Parsons
Since the absence of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons due to injury, the Packers have struggled defensively, allowing an alarming average of 228.5 rushing yards over the past two weeks, a stark contrast to their earlier season average of 100.5 yards per game. Without Parsons, their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks has diminished drastically, and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will need to adapt strategy for the postseason.
