Through the first two weeks, fans and sports analysts were concerned the Baltimore Ravens were not utilizing Derrick Henry properly.

During their five-game win streak, that concern has been shut down and all but reciprocated.

The four-time Pro Bowler leads the NFL in rushing yards (873), touchdowns (8), and attempts (outside of Los Angeles Rams’ Kyren Williams). His level of play, paired with Lamar Jackson’s MVP performances, have been the fuel to the Ravens turning around their season. Henry was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice so far this season, once against the Buffalo Bills and again against the Washington Commanders. He also had the 51-yard run against the Cincinnati Bengals to set up the game-winning field goal.

Safe to say he’s been critical to Baltimore’s success.

Henry won the award in 2020, where he rushed 378 times for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns, all leading the league. Henry is well on track to replicate and even surpass those numbers. However, head coach John Harbaugh says he may limit Henry’s attempts going forward.

“I also feel like over the course of the season, it’s going to be okay if [his attempts aren’t] 19 or 25,” Harbaugh said. “When it’s 10 or 12, that’s okay too. That’s one thing about Derrick, you’ll never hear him concern himself with that. He wants it, there’s no doubt about it. But he wants it because it helps us win, and that’s all he ever talks about.”

Still, Henry is ahead of the competition in comparison to his peers. The only players directly trailing him for the award are Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) and Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings).

Henry has the ability to continue this momentum into the Ravens’ divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon.