Vrabel vs. Henry: A Familiar Face, A New Challenge in a Crucial AFC Clash
Mike Vrabel was there when Derrick Henry became Derrick Henry. Back in 2018, Vrabel had just taken over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Henry? He was still trying to shake off the "backup" label, stuck behind DeMarco Murray for two seasons and even losing touches to Dion Lewis early in that year.
Through the first 12 games, Henry had just 474 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The Titans’ backfield was a work in progress.
Then came December 6, 2018.
On a Thursday night, in front of a national audience, Henry exploded. Seventeen carries, 238 yards, four touchdowns-including a jaw-dropping 99-yard run that instantly became an NFL classic.
That night against the Jaguars wasn’t just a breakout-it was a coronation. From that point forward, Henry wasn’t just a big back with potential.
He was a force.
Before that game, Henry was averaging under 40 rushing yards per contest. Since then?
He’s averaged over 100 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry. That kind of leap is rare-and it’s what turned him into one of the most feared rushers of his era.
He now ranks 11th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, and that doesn’t even count his 1,002 yards in the postseason.
Vrabel and Henry were the faces of the Titans’ resurgence, leading Tennessee to playoff appearances in 2019, 2020, and 2021. But after a disappointing 6-11 finish in 2023, the Titans hit reset.
Vrabel was let go. Henry walked in free agency.
Now, they’re on opposite sidelines. Vrabel is back in the head coaching chair with the New England Patriots.
Henry is wearing purple and black in Baltimore. And on Sunday night, they meet again-this time with playoff implications on the line.
Henry, now in his first season with the Ravens, has racked up 1,125 yards and 10 touchdowns on 233 carries in 2025. He’s still doing Henry things-breaking tackles, stiff-arming defenders into the turf, and chewing up yardage like it’s second nature.
Vrabel knows exactly what he’s up against.
“He’s a huge challenge,” Vrabel said this week. “He’s a very unique player.
Great speed, great power, strength. He’s just a different body type than what anybody would go against.
And so it’s unique in that regard.”
But Vrabel also knows it’s not just about Henry. It’s about the Ravens’ entire run game-how they mix personnel, shift formations, and keep defenses guessing.
“They do a very nice job with their scheme… different run plan and styles of run and different run actions,” he added. “We know what he’s about-build, speed, and stiff arm and all that other stuff.”
There’s no doubt Vrabel has respect for his former star. You can hear it in his voice when he talks about those Titans years.
“He was very valuable to our success in Tennessee,” Vrabel said. “Me, personally, had a great relationship with Derrick.
He was always there. Seemed like when we needed a play, he made it.
Great teammate. Anytime there was a message, he delivered that message in his own particular way.”
Since Vrabel and Henry left Nashville, the Titans have gone 5-26. Meanwhile, Henry made the playoffs again in 2024 with the Ravens, and Vrabel has the Patriots humming at 11-3 and eyeing a return to the postseason.
Sunday night’s game carries plenty of weight. A win would clinch a playoff berth for New England and keep them in the hunt for the AFC’s top seed. The Patriots are just one game behind the Denver Broncos for the No. 1 spot and one game ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
Baltimore, on the other hand, is still clawing for a playoff ticket. After a rough start-just one win in their first six games-the Ravens have fought back to 7-7. But they’re still a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North and trail the Houston Texans by two games for the final wild-card spot.
The Ravens’ playoff hopes hinge on these final three games: New England this week, then Green Bay and Pittsburgh. It’s a tough stretch, and they’ll need Henry to keep carrying the load.
Alabama Spotlight: Eagles vs. Commanders
Saturday’s matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders is the Alabama Game of the Week, featuring 18 players from Alabama high schools and colleges. That’s a heavy dose of homegrown talent on one field.
Week 16 NFL Schedule (All times Central, lines via BetMGM)
Thursday
- Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-1.5), 7:15 p.m. (Prime Video)
Saturday
- Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) at Washington Commanders, 4 p.m.
(FOX)
- Green Bay Packers (-1) at Chicago Bears, 7:20 p.m.
(FOX)
Sunday
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) at Carolina Panthers, Noon
- Buffalo Bills (-10) at Cleveland Browns, Noon (WIAT, WTVY, WKRG, WAKA)
- Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys (-2.5), Noon (WBRC, WALA, WCOV, WDFX)
- New York Jets at New Orleans Saints (-4.5), Noon
- Minnesota Vikings (-3) at New York Giants, Noon
- Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at Tennessee Titans, Noon (WHNT)
- Cincinnati Bengals (-4) at Miami Dolphins, Noon
- Atlanta Falcons (-3) at Arizona Cardinals, 3:05 p.m. (WZDX)
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (-3), 3:05 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions (-7), 3:25 p.m.
(WIAT, WTVY, WHNT, WKRG, WAKA)
- Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans (-14.5), 3:25 p.m.
- New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (-3), 7:20 p.m. (NBC)
**Bottom line? ** Sunday night isn’t just a reunion-it’s a playoff proving ground.
Vrabel knows what Derrick Henry can do. The question is: can he stop him?