Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with a Convincing Win
The Baltimore Ravens kept their postseason dream very much alive with a 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. In a game that showcased a balanced attack and a standout performance from Derrick Henry, Baltimore answered questions about its resilience and depth at a critical point in the season.
Henry Delivers a Season Highlight Night
Running back Derrick Henry delivered a monster performance, accumulating a season-high 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns. From the opening drive, Henry showed why he remains one of the league’s most punishing runners, breaking tackles and finding the creases in Green Bay’s defense. His four touchdowns tied or surpassed several franchise benchmarks on the day and provided the Ravens with a reliable ground game even when the passing attack rotated through multiple receivers.
Ground Game Powering a Balanced Offense
While Henry stole the show on the ground, Baltimore’s offense was not one-dimensional. The Ravens combined their running attack with a precise, efficient aerial plan. Baltimore repeatedly used play-action to keep Packers linebackers honest, creating favorable matchups for the tight ends and wideouts over the middle. The combination of Henry’s relentless pace and a disciplined offensive line allowed the Ravens to extend drives and control clock, wearing down Green Bay as the game progressed.
Defensive Standes Hold the Line
Behind Henry’s heavy-lift, Baltimore’s defense provided support at critical junctures. The unit tightened in the red zone and forced timely stops, helping to prevent Green Bay from mounting a comeback. While the Packers managed some success in the passing game, the Ravens minimized big plays and created pressure that disrupted Green Bay’s rhythm, contributing to the comfortable final margin.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The momentum swung early in the second half when Henry punched in a short-yardage score to cap a long Ravens drive, extending the lead to two possessions. Green Bay answered with a scoring drive of its own, but Baltimore answered back with sustained offense, punctuated by a long touchdown run that put the game out of reach. Special teams also played a role, pinning the Packers inside the 20 at a critical juncture and enabling the Ravens to maintain field position advantages throughout the game.
What This Win Means for Baltimore
The victory keeps Baltimore within striking distance of the AFC North lead and reaffirms the team’s ability to win in multiple ways. With Henry performing at peak efficiency, the offense now has a clear identity: a proven, powerful ground game that can complement a passing attack when called upon. The win also alleviates some of the pressure on the defense to be perfect in every possession, allowing the unit to focus on consistently stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.
Looking Ahead
As the Ravens move deeper into December, the schedule will demand more of the same: balancing efficiency in the run game with aggressive, opportunistic defense. Henry’s health and workload will be closely watched, as will the depth at receiver and the consistency of the protection schemes. If Baltimore can replicate this performance against upcoming opponents, they’ll be a dangerous challenger in the AFC playoffs, capable of winning games on the back of a dominant ground game and timely stops on defense.
Bottom Line
Henry’s 216-yard, four-touchdown showcase defined the night and elevated Baltimore’s playoff prospects. The Ravens didn’t just beat Green Bay; they sent a message that their offense can hum in multiple vehicles while the defense remains a steady, strategic ally in the race toward January football.
