Ravens RB Derrick Henry, chasing NFL history, rushes into the mix

Eric Williams

NFL Reporter

He’s a bad man.

We’re talking about Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry — not a certain private detective from your favorite 1970s action movie “Shaft.” 

Through seven games, Henry has shown he’s worth every penny of the two-year, $16 million contract he signed during the offseason. In fact, he’s one of the season’s biggest bargains, even though Cowboys owner Jerry Jones deemed Henry “didn’t fit” in Mike McCarthy’s offense or under Dallas’ salary cap.

Henry leads the league in rushing (873) and rushing touchdowns (8). He’s averaging an impressive 6.5 yard per carry.

And even at 30 years old, considered the expiration date of running back longevity, Henry still seems like he’s got plenty of gas left in the tank. He’s on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record, set in 1984 (2,105 yards in 16 games.) Can he do it? Remember that it was only four years ago when Henry rushed for 2,027 yards in 16 games for the Tennessee Titans.

And with Henry’s arrival, Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson has appeared to unlock yet another level in his otherworldly play. The reigning NFL MVP is putting together another MVP-worthy season. 

But even with Henry’s astounding numbers, it’s still an uphill climb for the bruising running back to become the first non-quarterback to win the league MVP award since Adrian Peterson in 2012. Just look to last season, when Christian McCaffrey led the league in scrimmage yards (2,023) and total touchdowns (21), but finished third in MVP voting.

Henry’s MVP odds improved from 50/1 to 40/1 this week. And he’s the favorite to win the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, which he won in 2020 on the strength of his 2,000-yard rushing performance. 

Jackson overtook Patrick Mahomes as the favorite to win the MVP award this week, while Jared Goff was the biggest mover, going from 18/1 to 8.5/1. 

Here’s my top five for Week 8.

1. Lamar Jackson,…