Milestone Achievement in Baltimore
When the Baltimore Ravens faced the Buffalo Bills in the opening game of the 2025 NFL season, most fans expected a close contest—not a record‑breaking night. Yet, after a hard‑fought second quarter, Derrick Henry sprinted 30 yards into the end zone, tying the legendary Jim Brown at 106 career rushing touchdowns. He didn’t stop there; a later drive produced his 108th touchdown, moving him past Brown and into sole possession of the sixth‑most rushing scores in league history.
The numbers tell a story of durability. Brown amassed his 106 scores in just 118 games, a blistering pace for the 1950s. Henry, now 31, needed 136 games to reach the same total, reflecting the modern game’s longer seasons and heavier defensive schemes. Still, surpassing a Hall of Famer whose name still echoes in football lore is a clear indicator that Henry’s prime is far from over.
Beyond the touchdown tally, the game also saw Henry climb the all‑time rushing yards chart. By eclipsing former NFL standout Steven Jackson, he slipped into 18th place with 11,438 career yards. At his current average of roughly 1,400 yards per full season, he could breach the 12,000‑yard milestone by mid‑season, joining a short list of backs who have ever done so.
What Lies Ahead: Chasing Payton and Team Success
With 108 touchdowns under his belt, the next obvious target is the Baltimore icon Walter Payton, who sits at fifth with 110 scores. Payton needed 190 games to reach his total, meaning Henry is on a faster trajectory if health holds. The Ravens’ coaching staff, led by John Harbaugh, have already begun mentioning Henry alongside legends like Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, and, of course, Jim Brown.
Harbaugh’s endorsement isn’t just fan‑fare. Henry’s 2024 campaign with Baltimore was a statement: 1,921 rushing yards, a career‑best 5.9 yards per carry, and 16 touchdowns that tied for the league lead. That season set a franchise record for rushing scores and earned him his second rushing title, cementing his role as the team’s offensive engine.
The season‑opening loss to Buffalo was a disappointment, but it underscored how Henry can still dominate the field even when the final score doesn’t go his way. His ability to break big runs and find the end zone keeps the Ravens in contention each week, a stark contrast to the doubts that followed his release from the Tennessee Titans just a year earlier.
Looking ahead, the questions shift from “Can Henry still perform?” to “How far can he climb the record books?” With a playoff‑bound Ravens squad and a running back who appears to be defying age, the 2025 season could see more franchise milestones—perhaps even a seventh‑place finish on the TD list and a top‑ten spot in total rushing yards.
When asked about his future, Henry remains pragmatic. He’s not planning retirement anytime soon, but he acknowledges that the decision will come when his body tells him so. For now, his focus is on the next game, the next touchdown, and the relentless pursuit of the records that once seemed out of reach.
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