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Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterJan 11, 2025, 09:35 PM ET
- Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
BALTIMORE — After Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens made a statement on the opening drive of Saturday’s wild-card game, they doubled down by using Derrick Henry and their running attack.
Henry’s 8-yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers capped a 13-play drive in which Baltimore didn’t throw the ball once and took a 14-0 lead.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025
This was Henry’s first touchdown in the playoffs since 2021 with the Tennessee Titans, the last time he played in the postseason. He has now had a touchdown run in five of his eight playoff games.
In the first quarter, Jackson marched the Ravens 95 yards down the field and capped the series with a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashod Bateman. This marked the first time in the postseason that Jackson has led Baltimore to a touchdown on an opening drive.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025
It was the longest touchdown drive in the playoffs for the Ravens since 2001, when they had a 99-yard drive in a wild-card game against the Miami Dolphins.
Slow starts have been a problem for Jackson and Baltimore in the postseason, where the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is 2-4 in his career. In Jackson’s previous six playoff games, the Ravens had totaled 10 points in the first quarter.
Jackson wrapped up a dominant first half with a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Justice Hill with two seconds remaining. With the Ravens up 21-0, “MVP” chants filled M&T Bank Stadium.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025
The Ravens had more first downs in the first half (19) than the Steelers had total plays (18). Jackson was 13-of-15 passing (87%) for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 64 yards.
