The Baltimore Ravens are loving their decision to bring Derrick Henry onboard this season. NFL fans are calling it a win-win for the Ravens—and a major loss for the Tennessee Titans. Henry’s explosive plays and power-packed performances have been a big part of the Ravens’ impressive 7-4 record, making them strong playoff contenders.
Meanwhile, the Titans are stuck in a rough patch. With a disappointing 3-8 record, they’re almost out of the playoff race. Ouch.
Former Steelers quarterback and now pro boxer Le’Veon Bell had something to say about this. He pointed out, “Elite running backs matter.” And looking at the stats, he’s got a point. After seven seasons with the Titans, Henry joined the Ravens this year and has scored a touchdown in each of the last four games, helping the team stay on a roll.
Bell also noticed a trend: teams that let their star running backs go are paying the price. For example, the Titans, Giants, and Raiders all moved on from their big names—Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs. Since then, those teams are struggling with a combined win rate of just 20% this season. On the flip side, the teams that picked up these running backs—the Ravens, Eagles, and Packers—are thriving with a 75% win rate so far in the 2024-25 season.
A Raiders fan did try to argue that the Titans were doing pretty well when Henry was with them, posting a 48-34 record between 2018 and 2022. But here’s the kicker: the Ravens, already a strong team with a 53-29 record in the same period, are now even better with Henry on their roster.
And let’s not forget how much has changed in 2024—like OBJ heading to the Dolphins. It’s clear the Ravens made the right move by grabbing Henry, while the Titans are left regretting their decision.
Oh, and speaking of regrets—Saquon Barkley gave the Giants a harsh reminder of what they lost with a jaw-dropping 302-yard game against the Rams on Monday. Henry, too, has been a game-changer for the Ravens, leading them to big wins against the Broncos, Commanders, and Cowboys, scoring two touchdowns in the process.
Looks like Bell nailed it: some teams gave up gold while chasing diamonds—and now they’re paying the price.
