Derrick Henry has been in impressive form in recent weeks, and with Lamar Jackson sidelined, the Baltimore Ravens are likely to give Henry a significant workload this Saturday night. The Ravens will depend heavily on their Pro Bowl running back as they strive to secure a playoff spot.
Henry has averaged at least 18 carries in eight of his last ten games, including a previous start by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley this season, where he rushed 21 times for 71 yards against the Chicago Bears in Week 8. The 247-pound running back excels in cold-weather games toward the end of the season, having exceeded 90 rushing yards in his last three appearances.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are anticipated to effectively limit Christian McCaffrey through the air during their Sunday Night Football matchup. McCaffrey was once on track to break the record for receiving yards by a running back, but has struggled in recent weeks, failing to surpass 30 receiving yards in his last three games, averaging only 21.3 yards per game during that stretch.
In other news, Hunter, who ranks fourth in the NFL with 13 sacks, continues to be a noteworthy Pro Bowl omission this year. His performance against the Los Angeles Chargers is expected to be pivotal, given that their left tackle Rashawn Slater has been out for the season, and sophomore standout Joe Alt has also been placed on injured reserve. Jamaree Salyer, who has been filling the left tackle position, is ruled out for Week 17, setting up a favorable matchup for Hunter against the Chargers” backup options at left tackle.
Hunter has recorded at least half a sack in five of his last seven games and will look to apply pressure on Justin Herbert when they meet on Saturday. The Ravens” strategy to support their backup quarterback by relying on Henry should also play a crucial role in the game.
Lastly, quarterback Jacoby Brissett is expected to bounce back after a disappointing outing where he failed to meet his passing yard total. In his earlier nine starts, Brissett consistently exceeded his yardage expectations, and with the Cincinnati Bengals ranked last in defensive dropback success rate, he should find opportunities to succeed through the air.
As the season progresses, teams are looking to solidify their playoff positions, making each game critical for both individual and team performances.
