Derrick Henry is Baltimore's key was the undeniable lesson the Ravens' 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers. 

With Lamar Jackson sidelined, Baltimore leaned on the veteran running back, who delivered a historic, four-touchdown performance to keep the team's playoff hopes alive.

Derrick Henry is Baltimore's Key to Playoff Survival

The game plan proved that Derrick Henry is Baltimore's key to offensive success in the absence of Lamar Jackson. Henry tied a career-high with four touchdowns and rushed for 216 yards on 36 carries, logging his NFL-record seventh career 200-yard game. This dominant ground attack, which amassed 307 total rushing yards, allowed backup quarterback Tyler Huntley (16/20, 107 yards, 1 TD) to manage the game efficiently and control the clock.

Derrick Henry is Baltimore's Key: Implications for Both Teams

The victory, fueled by proving Derrick Henry is Baltimore's key, allows the Ravens to stave off playoff elimination. Their fate now depends on the Week 18 result between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. 

For the Packers, the loss eliminates them from NFC North contention and secures their spot as the NFC's No. 7 seed for a third consecutive year. While Green Bay's Malik Willis (245 yards, 2 TDs) showed promise, the team's inability to stop Henry's relentless rushing was the decisive factor.

Other Key Takeaways from the Game

• Tyler Huntley's Role: He operated as an efficient game manager, using his legs for key first downs and avoiding critical mistakes, perfectly complementing the run-heavy strategy.

• Malik Willis's Audition: Willis displayed downfield accuracy and arm talent, connecting on deep throws to Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. His performance makes him an intriguing free-agent prospect this offseason.

• Packers' Injured Backfield: A clearly limited Josh Jacobs (4 carries, 3 yards) highlighted Green Bay's need to prioritize his health for the postseason, as their offense struggled to establish balance.

The Ravens' formula is clear: their path to an unlikely playoff berth runs directly through Derrick Henry. If they survive to Week 18, expect another heavy dose of the star running back as they attempt to control their destiny against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Source Information:

These takeaways are based on the game recap and analysis from USA TODAY Sports.

You can read their full game story and analysis here:
Derrick Henry is Baltimore's key: Packers vs. Ravens MNF takeaways