Derrick Henry makes NFL history during Ravens’ dominant opening win
· Yahoo Sports
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Derrick Henry did more than power the Baltimore Ravens to a season-opening victory. He continued his climb toward the most exclusive rushing record in NFL history.
Henry rushed for 144 yards and scored three touchdowns as Baltimore overwhelmed the Indianapolis Colts 41-23. His second score moved him past Marcus Allen for third place on the NFL’s career rushing touchdown list. Henry finished the afternoon with 125 career rushing touchdowns. Only LaDainian Tomlinson and Emmitt Smith remain ahead of him.
For a running back playing in an era increasingly dominated by passing offenses and shared backfields, Henry’s place in history is becoming impossible to ignore.
Henry moves closer to Tomlinson
Henry entered the game needing one rushing touchdown to tie Allen at 123. He reached that mark on a four-yard run in the first quarter. Henry then broke the tie with a 32-yard touchdown in the second quarter before adding a third score early in the fourth.
HISTORY FOR KING HENRY 👑
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 13, 2026
Derrick Henry’s 124th career rushing TD moves him into third place all-time 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HkNVQzBE3R
Tomlinson sits second with 145 career rushing touchdowns, while Smith holds the record with 164.
Catching Smith remains a monumental challenge, but Tomlinson’s total has moved within reach if Henry can remain productive beyond this season. That possibility would have seemed unrealistic for most running backs at Henry’s age. He continues to operate outside the normal expectations for the position.
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Baltimore’s offense delivers frightening warning
Henry’s performance was only one part of an overwhelming day for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Zay Flowers accumulated a career-high 150 receiving yards before leaving with a hamstring injury.
Baltimore finished with more than 500 yards of offense and scored touchdowns on two of its first three possessions. First-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle could hardly have scripted a more impressive debut. Injuries to Flowers and rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane forced the Ravens to lean more heavily on Henry during the second half. Indianapolis knew the run was coming and still could not consistently stop it.
That is what makes Baltimore’s offense so difficult to defend. Committing additional defenders to Henry creates opportunities for Jackson and his receivers. Spreading out to contain the passing game leaves a defense vulnerable to one of the most punishing runners in league history.
Henry’s pursuit of Tomlinson will become a fascinating season-long subplot. Baltimore has a much bigger objective in mind.
If Week 1 offered an accurate preview, the Ravens have an offense capable of carrying them deep into January.