Derrick Henry did it again to the Ravens. This time, LeBron James weighed in.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

BALTIMORE — Ten months later, it looked very similar.

A formidable, highly ranked Baltimore defense versus a relentless bulldozer of a running back. The edge once again belonged to Derrick Henry, who piled up 133 yards on 28 carries in the Titans’ 30-24 overtime win over the Ravens on Sunday. It came 316 days after Henry ran for 195 yards in Tennessee’s win in Baltimore in the 2019 divisional round of the playoffs.

This time, one king compelled another to chime in.

The “FINISHER” aka @KingHenry_2!! BALLGAME. #BEAST” LeBron James tweeted after Henry’s 29-yard rushing touchdown gave the Titans the win. 

It’s the perfect moniker, really.

More: Social media reacts to LeBron James calling Derrick Henry ‘The Finisher’

Henry, after all, had 96 of his rushing yards Sunday after halftime – another example of him wearing down a defense and capitalizing late in the game.

“They’re a tough defense,” Henry said of Baltimore. “They’re physical. Got a lot of guys that fly around to the ball and got a lot of guys that play this game at a high level with a lot of experience. But as we get our momentum and guys get some blocks, us getting downhill and continuing to move the ball downfield, that wears on any defense.”

Henry capped his day with the game-winner, a 29-yard touchdown run in which he escaped from Baltimore’s Derek Wolfe.

“He’s the best running back in the league for a reason,” Wolfe said. “He got away from me, and that’s my fault. I’ve got to make that play, so I’ll take the heat for that.”

Henry entered Sunday ranked second in the NFL in rushing. He’s now at 1,079 rushing yards for the season, his third straight year eclipsing 1,000 yards.

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound running back totaled more than 100 rushing yards after contact for the second time this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

Asked about how the Ravens defense contained Henry early and what changed later in the game, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said: “I think the tackling was probably the biggest thing.”

This performance also included a rarity, though: Henry absorbing a big, debilitating hit, rather than dishing one out.

Henry said the tackle he took from safety Deshon Elliott in the second half caught him under the chin. It forced him to head to the sideline for a short period.

Not long after, he was back on the field and gashing the Ravens defense.

“Definitely hurt,” Henry said of the hit, “but had to shake it off and get back in there.”

He had to live up to his nickname.

Henry said he’s never met LeBron James, the Lakers’ perennial All-Star, but saw him once at the ESPY awards and was in awe.

“He’s a world-class athlete. Everybody looks up to him,” Henry said. “I appreciate him shouting me out.”

Reach Erik Bacharach at ebacharach@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ErikBacharach.