Derrick Henry faces his former coach when the Ravens host Mike Vrabel and the Patriots

1 month ago 11

Mike Vrabel knows as well as anyone how difficult it is to stop Derrick Henry.

“He’s a very unique player. Great speed, great power, strength,” Vrabel said. “He’s just a different body type than what anybody would go against, and so it’s unique in that regard. … We know what he’s about. Build speed and stiff arm and all that other stuff.”

Vrabel was Henry’s coach with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 through 2023, and now he’ll face his former running back Sunday night when the Baltimore Ravens host the New England Patriots. Henry is in his second season in the Ravens’ backfield, and Vrabel is in his first at the helm of the Patriots.

“He’s a great coach. He does a great job, and they’ve been doing a great job this year,” Henry said. “That’s why they’re in the conversation and the running for the top seed in the AFC.”

Baltimore (7-7) trails Pittsburgh by one game atop the AFC North. The Patriots (11-3) lead the AFC East even after last week’s loss to Buffalo, and New England can clinch a postseason berth with a win this week or a loss by either Houston or Indianapolis.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will have a prime-time showcase to boost his MVP case. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, who has won that award twice, has struggled after returning from a hamstring injury but looked better the past couple of games.