Derrick Henry Takes Over as Ravens Power Past Packers in Week 17 Showdown
Saturday night at Lambeau Field turned into a statement game for the Baltimore Ravens, and it was delivered in old-school fashion. With Lamar Jackson sidelined due to a back injury, the Ravens made it clear early that this game would be placed firmly on the shoulders of Derrick Henry. That decision paid off in a big way, as Baltimore rolled past the Green Bay Packers 41–24 in a crucial Week 17 matchup.
Coming off criticism for not using Henry enough in a previous loss, head coach John Harbaugh made sure there was no repeat. The Ravens leaned heavily on the running game, and Henry responded with one of the most dominant performances of his career. He tied a career-high with four touchdowns and rushed for 216 yards, marking the seventh 200-yard game of his career, the most in NFL history. The Packers simply had no answer as Baltimore piled up 307 rushing yards and completely controlled the tempo.
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With the ground game doing most of the work, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was allowed to play calm, efficient football. Mistakes were avoided, and the offense stayed on schedule. Huntley completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 60 rushing yards of his own. His connection with Zay Flowers on a clutch third-down touchdown late in the game helped put the result out of reach.
Green Bay fought back in spurts behind Malik Willis, who used his legs to keep the Packers competitive. Willis accounted for two rushing touchdowns and briefly cut the Ravens’ lead to just three points in the third quarter. However, costly mistakes, including a botched snap that resulted in a turnover, made it difficult for Green Bay to sustain momentum. Willis later exited with a shoulder injury, and the comeback hopes faded soon after.
The Ravens’ dominance was most evident in time of possession. Baltimore held the ball for nearly 24 minutes in the first half alone, keeping the Packers’ offense off the field and wearing down the defense. Long, methodical drives repeatedly ended with Henry powering his way into the end zone, draining both the clock and Green Bay’s energy.
This win keeps Baltimore’s slim playoff hopes alive, though help will still be needed elsewhere. A Steelers win or tie would eliminate the Ravens, meaning their postseason fate remains out of their hands for now. For the Packers, the loss confirmed their position as the NFC’s No. 7 seed, marking the third straight season they’ve landed in that spot under Matt LaFleur.
In the end, this game was remembered less for quarterback play and more for a reminder of how devastating a committed running attack can be. On a cold December night, Derrick Henry turned Lambeau Field into his personal stage and kept Baltimore breathing for at least one more week.
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