In the world of professional football, Derrick Henry’s career is shaping up to be one filled with historic achievements and standout milestones — milestones that could secure his place in the Football Hall of Fame someday. But here’s where it gets interesting: despite all his success, Henry still has some important records within reach, and a few that could make his legacy even more remarkable.
According to research from NBC Sports, Henry is just 69 rushing yards away from becoming only the fourth player in NFL history to record at least seven seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards coupled with at least 10 rushing touchdowns. The only other players to reach this feat are LaDainian Tomlinson, who achieved it eight times; Adrian Peterson, with seven such seasons; and the legendary Emmitt Smith, also with seven.
Henry has already demonstrated these consistent performances in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and now 2024 — a clear indicator of his durability and offensive dominance across multiple seasons.
But there’s more. If Henry manages to rush for 150 or more yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their upcoming game, he will join Jim Brown as the only players in history with three games of 150 or more rushing yards against this formidable defense. Interestingly, with last year's wild-card playoff game included, Henry would be the only player to achieve this feat three times in a row against the Steelers.
Achieving this won’t be simple. The Steelers, after giving up the most rushing yards at home in over 50 years last season, will likely intensify their efforts to contain Henry, probably stacking the box with extra defenders to force quarterback Lamar Jackson to beat them through the air. But that’s a risky strategy, especially since Jackson has not been at his athletic best lately, which could open up opportunities or backfire if Pittsburgh’s gamble doesn’t pay off.
Or perhaps the Steelers will decide to focus more on stopping Henry and the Ravens’ rushing attack altogether, trusting their secondary to handle Jackson’s passing game. Whatever their plan, the outcome of this game could be pivotal. A loss for the Steelers would add more tension to the season — especially heading into the Week 15 Monday night showdown in Pittsburgh against the Dolphins. That game could see less fan attendance, with fans potentially voicing their frustration against the coaching staff with chants of “Fire Tomlin!” — a sign of the intense pressure both teams are under.
In summary, Derrick Henry’s pursuit of these historic milestones and the game’s high stakes make this a must-watch contest. It prompts a question worth pondering: will Henry’s relentless drive and exceptional talent defy the defensive schemes designed to stop him, or will the Steelers’ strategy prove too much? Do you believe Henry can reach these milestones, or do you think defenses will find a way to contain him? Share your thoughts and predictions below!
