The Ravens keep leaning on Derrick Henry, and Week 6 looks like another spot where the numbers could tilt his way.
With Lamar Jackson out, Baltimore’s offense has already shown it’s willing to get creative, and that could mean even more short-yardage Wild Cat work for Henry. The setup is ugly for Cleveland, too: the Browns have struggled against the run, ranking 30th in EPA and success rate, and they could be missing their best defensive tackle and linebacker, or at least dealing with those injuries in some fashion. Baltimore just rolled up 200 rushing yards with a variety of contributors, and the game plan feels built to keep pounding away.
Henry has already found the end zone eight times, with two-touchdown games in the mix twice this season. He’s also seeing more designed screens and targets than ever in Baltimore, and he’s on pace for a career high in carries.
With the Ravens dealing with injuries to Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, plus Matthew Hibner ruled out and Mark Andrews failing in the clutch yet again, the offense has plenty of reasons to keep finishing drives on the ground. The Browns have allowed only one rushing touchdown so far, but that number feels more like early-season noise than a real barrier.
The price on Henry’s touchdown market is floating in a wide range, from as high as +400 to as short as +280, so shopping matters here.
Snoop Huntley should also have a chance to use his legs. Cleveland hasn’t seen many quarterbacks who really take off against them, and the Browns sit bottom eight in EPA against QB runs.
They’re also playing zone 44% of the time, which leads the league by a mile, and that can leave defensive backs with their backs turned to the quarterback. The concern with Huntley’s rushing total is that some of those plays can turn into knee downs or negative runs, but the matchup still points to more designed movement.
There’s also a path for Huntley through the air in the form of the screen game. Henry can’t stay on the field every snap, Doyle will want to work in tempo, and the two-minute drill is always part of the picture. That gives Henry a real shot to catch three or more passes, well above his standard reception marker of 1.5.
And then there’s Justice Hill, who could be in line for another splash play after Baltimore used the pony package last week with Hill and Henry on the field together. That alignment produced an explosive Hill run, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it opened the door for an explosive pass this Sunday. If Flowers is limited at all by the toe injury, Hill becomes even more interesting in the live betting market.
In Other News...
Ravens Finally Get A Real Test For Their Big Pass Rush Bet
Trey Hendricksons return gives Baltimores pass rush a chance to prove it can be more than just a weekly talking point. After missing the past two games with a finger injury, Hendrickson is expected back as the Ravens prepare for a Cleveland offense that has been on shaky footing up front and has put its quarterback under plenty of pressure already this season.
The Browns have been sliding into a matchup that could tell the Ravens a lot about where their edge rush really stands. Deshaun Watson has absorbed a heavy workload of hits behind that line, and Baltimore will be watching closely to see whether Hendrickson can immediately add force to a front that has been built to change games at the line of scrimmage. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Week Just Got More Interesting With Browns Trade Buzz
The AFC North picture got a little more complicated this week as Cleveland heads into a Week 6 meeting with Baltimore at 3-2 and trying to steady itself after a loss to the Jets. At the same time, reports have tied the Browns to Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson, one of the more notable names floating around in the early trade chatter as teams start to eye possible line help.
For the Ravens, any move that strengthens a division opponent is worth watching closely, especially with Cleveland already trying to regroup in the middle of the season. Dickersons status has been part of the conversation because of the Eagles recent struggles, but nothing official has happened yet, which leaves Baltimore waiting to see whether a familiar divisional matchup gets a little tougher before the week is over. [Read more 🡒]
Derrick Henry Could Be Set Up For A Huge Ravens Breakout
A familiar division matchup suddenly looks a little softer up front for Baltimore, with Cleveland entering Week 6 carrying real uncertainty on three defensive players who could shape the way the game is played. Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger and Derek Barnett are all listed as questionable after each was limited to just one practice this week, and that kind of availability cloud can matter a lot when a defense is trying to hold up against a physical Ravens offense.
For Derrick Henry and Baltimores running game, the potential ripple effect is easy to see. Graham and Schwesinger would matter especially inside, while Barnetts status impacts the edge, and any combination of those absences could make life more comfortable for the Ravens as they try to lean on the ground game and control the tempo. [Read more 🡒]