Derrick Henry ignites Ravens early but fumble seals Lions win

Early spark and a booming start

When the Ravens stepped onto the field for Monday Night Football, most fans were hoping Derrick Henry could finally shake off the rust that had plagued his recent outings. The veteran didn’t waste any time. Five minutes and forty seconds into the opening quarter, he burst through a wall of Detroit defenders for a 28‑yard rush that capped an eight‑play, 80‑yard drive. The touchdown put Baltimore up 7‑0 and gave the impression that the power‑running back was back in his old, dominant form.

The early burst was more than a flash of old glory; it set a tone that seemed to say the Ravens were ready to lean on their ground game again. Even the sidelines buzzed with excitement as teammates high‑fived and the crowd roared. For a moment, it looked like Henry’s big‑play ability could anchor the offense and give Lamar Jackson a reliable outlet.

Turnovers, adjustments, and what's next

That optimism evaporated quickly. Detroit’s defensive coordinator made swift adjustments, stacking the box and narrowing the lanes that Henry had previously exploited. After his opening score, Henry was limited to just 22 more rushing yards on the day. The Lions’ linebackers swarmed him at the line of scrimmage, forcing the Ravens to abandon the run and rely more heavily on the passing attack, a strategy that never fully clicked.

The turning point came late in the fourth quarter. With the game hanging in the balance, Henry took the handoff, broke a tackle, but then fumbled the ball as he tried to push forward. Detroit recovered, turning a potential Ravens scoring drive into a momentum‑shifting turnover. Lamar Jackson’s frustration was evident on the sidelines; he gestured angrily and later called the mistake “unacceptable” in the post‑game interview.

Analysts didn’t hold back. Many pointed out that the coaching staff seemed to forget why they signed Henry in the first place—his ability to wear down defenses over the course of a game. By pulling the plug on the ground game after the first drive, the Ravens gave Detroit an opening to dictate the pace. The 38‑30 loss exposed deeper issues: a lack of consistent play‑calling, miscommunication in the backfield, and a worrying streak of ball‑security lapses from one of the league’s most reliable backs.

Looking ahead, the Ravens now face a daunting clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. The matchup will test whether Baltimore can rediscover a balanced offense that leans on Henry’s power while protecting the ball. If the coaching staff can adjust and give the veteran running back more consistent opportunities, the season might still swing in their favor. Otherwise, the early-season wobble could become a pattern that’s hard to break.