Based on the numbers that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry have put up through seven games here in the 2024 season, they are easily on pace to become the most prolific 1-2 punch in NFL history. The results suggest that it’s not just about statistics. The Ravens have won five straight games and, with Jackson and Henry leading the way, they’re averaging 35 points per game during that streak.
It’s a match made in football heaven. Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP; Henry is one of just eight players in NFL history to have rushed for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Historically, defenses have tended to stack the box trying slow down the 6-2, 247-pound Henry. When doing that, Jackson sees more open space for his weapons in the passing game. Of course, defenses also need to assign a shadow for Jackson, one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks of all-time. So that’s one less defender capable of stuffing the line on Henry runs.
Lamar Jackson has the best passer rating in the NFL and Derrick Henry leads the league in rushing yards.
Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
If Jackson and Henry keep doing what they’ve been doing the rest of the season, this dynamic duo can become the most prolific QB-RB tandem in pro football history.
We’ve seen Hall of Fame duos like Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, John Elway and Terrell Davis. But when it comes to putting up prolific yardage totals, it’s unusual to see a team’s quarterback and running back both be among the league leaders. A balanced offense is one thing, but Jackson and Henry are approaching rare air.
Henry is on pace for 2,120 yards, which would break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record, albeit in a 17-game schedule. Jackson is on pace for 4,396 passing yards, which would be 700 yards more than the career high he set last season.
In other words, Jackson’s passing yards and Henry’s rushing yards would add up to 6,516 yards. That would be the greatest QB-RB total in NFL history by a wide margin.
In fact, there have been only 13 times in NFL history when a quarterback’s passing total and his top back’s yardage total added up to 6,000. The list includes Hall of Fame or soon-to-be Hall of Fame quarterbacks such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees, though it only includes two entries in which both quarterback and running back are in Contaon: Peyton Manning/Edgerrin James (twice) and Kurt Warner/Marshall Faulk. Here’s the breakdown:
| Year/Team | Quarterback | Pass Yards | Running Back | Rush Yards | Total Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Broncos | Peyton Manning | 5,477 | Knowshon Moreno | 1,038 | 6,515 |
| 2014 Steelers | Ben Roethlisberger | 4,952 | Le’Veon Bell | 1,361 | 6,313 |
| 2019 Cowboys | Dak Prescott | 4,902 | Ezekiel Elliott | 1,357 | 6,259 |
| 2016 Saints | Drew Brees | 5,208 | Mark Ingram | 1,043 | 6,251 |
| 2001 Rams | Kurt Warner | 4,830 | Marshall Faulk | 1,382 | 6,212 |
| 2021 Buccaneers | Tom Brady | 5,316 | Leonard Fournette | 812 | 6,128 |
| 2000 Colts | Peyton Manning | 4,413 | Edgerrin James | 1,709 | 6,122 |
| 2018 Steelers | Ben Roethlisberger | 5,139 | James Conner | 973 | 6,112 |
| 2004 Colts | Peyton Manning | 4,557 | Edgerrin James | 1,548 | 6,105 |
| 2012 Patriots | Tom Brady | 4,827 | Stevan Ridley | 1,261 | 6,088 |
| 2022 Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes | 5.250 | Isiah Pacheco | 830 | 6,080 |
| 2011 Saints | Drew Brees | 5,476 | Darren Sproles | 603 | 6,079 |
| 2016 Falcons | Matt Ryan | 4,944 | Devonta Freeman | 1,079 | 6,023 |
Of course, none of the quarterbacks on this list add the running ability that Jackson has. While Henry leads the league in rushing with 873 yards, Jackson is actually 11th with 455 yards of his own. Forget the 6,000-yard barrier. If Jackson and Henry stay healthy and continue to produce, they will be the first QB/RB tandem to eclipse 7,000 combined yards.
