Derrick Henry's 16 carries in the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 2 loss were questionable and reminiscent of last season. Repeating that approach against the Dallas Cowboys would be difficult to justify. Dallas enters its Week 3 matchup against Baltimore allowing 173.5 rushing yards per game. That weakness creates an obvious opportunity for offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to make Henry the centerpiece of the game plan in Brazil.
Dallas has struggled to stop the run
The Cowboys surrendered 165 rushing yards during their season-opening loss to the New York Giants. Dallas then allowed another 182 yards against the Washington Commanders, including 69 yards from quarterback Jayden Daniels before he exited with an injury. Missed tackles and inconsistent linebacker play have contributed to those
problems. The Giants also converted nine of their 11 third-down opportunities and controlled the ball for nearly 37 minutes.
Baltimore has the personnel to test whether Dallas made any meaningful corrections.
Henry remains one of the NFL’s most productive runners
Henry has carried the football 40 times for 212 yards and four touchdowns through two games, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. He opened the season with 144 yards and three touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts before producing 68 yards and one score on 16 attempts against New Orleans.
The Ravens ran the ball only 22 times as a team in their 24-17 loss to the Saints. Henry also watched from the sideline during a critical short-yardage situation.
That workload should increase against Dallas.
Baltimore can control the game through Henry
Establishing Henry would accomplish more than attacking a statistical weakness. A productive running game would keep Baltimore ahead of the chains, create favorable play-action opportunities for Lamar Jackson and limit possessions for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ explosive passing attack.
Henry’s physical style can also punish a defense over four quarters. Baltimore should force Dallas’ linebackers and defensive backs to tackle its 252-pound running back repeatedly rather than letting the Cowboys focus on Jackson.
The Ravens should commit early and remain patient
Baltimore cannot abandon the running game if Henry’s first few carries produce modest gains. His greatest impact often arrives after a defense has absorbed repeated contact and begins losing discipline. The Ravens do not need to force-feed Henry regardless of the game situation. They should, however, enter Week 3 expecting him to receive at least 20 carries.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Cowboys’ run defense creates an ideal matchup for Derrick Henry
