Welcome to the Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Henry.
The two-time rushing champion joined the Ravens this offseason after eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He began his career with the Ravens by scoring the first touchdown of the NFL season.
Henry tore through the Kansas City Chiefs defense for a five-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of Thursday’s NFL season opener against Kansas City.
The score capped an opening drive in which Henry was the star. The drive lasted 11 plays and spanned 70 yards. Henry ran the ball on five of those plays, totaling 17 yards. It’s a likely sign of things to come for a Ravens team that projects to use Henry early and often this season as part of one of the league’s most dynamic one-two rushing teams alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore scored the touchdown despite a sloppy opening drive. The Ravens were called for three illegal formation penalties on the way to the touchdown, but managed to secure four first downs and the touchdown despite the setbacks.
The Ravens’ lead didn’t last long. Kansas City responded with a quick scoring drive that culminated with a 21-yard touchdown run by speedy rookie Xavier Worthy on the first touch of his NFL career.
After more than seven months and a 25-minute delay due to weather, Thursday’s AFC Championship rematch got off to a flying start.