We Were Unable to Afford Derrick Henry

The Dallas Cowboys were faced with a stark reality after their defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Team owner Jerry Jones reflected on the game and acknowledged they couldn’t afford running back Derrick Henry, who showcased his talents while wearing a Ravens jersey by leading his team to a 28-25 victory over the Cowboys.

Baltimore dominated the ground game, amassing a remarkable total of 275 rushing yards on 45 attempts, which amounted to nearly 75% of their plays. The Cowboys have struggled significantly on defense, allowing an average of 185.7 rushing yards per game over the first three outings of the season.

In the contest, Derrick Henry carried the ball 25 times, finishing with an impressive 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Lamar Jackson also made a significant contribution, carrying the ball 14 times for 84 yards and picking up a rushing touchdown amid a passing game where he completed just 15 attempts.

The departure of former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is now the head coach for the Washington Commanders, seemed to have an impact on the Cowboys’ defensive performance, leading to concerns about their turnover margin. Although the start of the Mike Zimmer era offered promise with an initial victory against the Cleveland Browns, the subsequent games have raised red flags.

Last week, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense put on a spectacular display against the Cowboys, racking up 432 total yards, 190 of which came on the ground during a 44-19 beating.

Head coach Mike McCarthy articulated his concerns, stating, “I think definitely the last two weeks, it’s going to be a clear target on us. We’re going to have to stop it.” He acknowledged that both the run defense and offensive rushing attempts need significant improvement to meet expectations.

When the Ravens aimed to secure the game, they faced a critical second down needing just nine yards. Jackson, with the Dallas defense offering little in terms of resistance, managed to rush for 10 yards, essentially sealing the victory for Baltimore.

Jerry Jones conveyed his belief in Zimmer’s capabilities to address the issues, expressing, “My confidence in him to right the ship is very high. I’m glad we have him.”

In the game’s first half, Jackson demonstrated his prowess, throwing for 161 yards while the Ravens added another 111 yards on the ground. The Ravens came out strong, scoring on their first two drives and rapidly establishing a 14-0 lead. From that point, Henry showcased why he was highly sought after, demonstrating the skills that earned him the title of the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year after signing a two-year, $16 million contract with Baltimore.

Interestingly, the Cowboys are finding themselves quite limited on the ground, averaging just 73.7 rushing yards per game. Rico Dowdle led their rushing attempts with eight carries, while veteran Ezekiel Elliott, now reunited with the team that selected him in the 2016 draft, could only manage three carries for a mere six yards. Star running back Dalvin Cook sat on the sidelines during the game.

Derrick Henry, despite his successful outing with the Ravens, had previously expressed that he hoped to hear from the Cowboys, considering he lives in Dallas during the offseason. “If Baltimore wasn’t interested, then I was thinking maybe Dallas because I live there,” he said. “But Baltimore was interested, and I’m thankful.”

This season has seen both the Cowboys and Ravens make changes to their offensive lines, and despite having three new starters, the Ravens’ offense has been formidable, with Jackson’s incredible talent helping them gain over 150 rushing yards in their first two games.

With the Cowboys struggling in their run defense, it has become apparent that they may have missed an essential opportunity by not securing Henry, who proved during the game that he could have made a significant impact on their performance.

Source: USA TODAY