King Henry and the Ravens Trample the Jets in a Gritty Comeback Win

Welcome back to M&T Bank Stadium, folks! After what felt like an eternity on the road, the Baltimore Ravens made their triumphant return home and, let me tell you, it was a classic tale of two halves. They shook off a sleepy start to grind out a 23-10 victory over the New York Jets, clawing their way over the .500 mark for the first time this season. It wasn’t always pretty, but a win is a win, and this makes five straight for the purple and black.

The first half was, to put it mildly, a snoozefest. If you were flipping channels, you might have thought you landed on a golf tournament. Both offenses looked like they were running in mud. The Jets, however, managed to find a spark. Journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor, making his second start for the Jets, led a methodical 12-play drive that ended with him finding wideout John Metchie III, who dove for the pylon like a man possessed.

Just like that, the Jets were up 7-0. The Ravens’ offense? Well, they sputtered, coughed, and eventually settled for a Tyler Loop field goal before halftime, heading into the locker room down 7-3 and looking utterly disjointed. You could almost hear the collective groan from the Baltimore faithful.

But whatever John Harbaugh said at halftime must have been laced with rocket fuel, because a different team emerged from that tunnel.

How the Tide Turned in Baltimore

The third quarter was where the magic happened. The Ravens came out with a purpose, marching 74 yards down the field on an 11-play drive that chewed up the clock and the Jets’ will. And who capped it off? None other than “King” Derrick Henry, who plunged into the end zone from two yards out. You could feel the entire stadium exhale. Baltimore had its first lead, 10-7.

The defense, feeding off that energy, came out and stuffed the Jets, forcing a turnover on downs. That gave Lamar Jackson and the offense the ball back in prime real estate. Seven plays later, it was Henry time again. Following his personal bodyguard, Patrick Ricard, Henry strolled into the end zone for another two-yard score, virtually untouched. It was a beautiful display of power football that put the Ravens up 17-7 in the blink of an eye. The Jets looked stunned, like they’d just been hit by a freight train twice. From that point on, Baltimore was in the driver’s seat.

Who Stepped Up When It Mattered?

In a game this gritty, you need your stars to shine. Here’s who earned their paychecks on Sunday:

Marlon Humphrey’s Clutch Play

Just when the Jets thought they had a sliver of hope in the fourth quarter, Marlon Humphrey, fresh off finger surgery, decided to play hero. With the Jets driving and Breece Hall rumbling inside the 5-yard line, Humphrey channeled his inner pickpocket and ripped the ball clean out. Alohi Gilman was Johnny-on-the-spot, diving on the loose pigskin. It was a game-saving, soul-crushing turnover that marked Humphrey’s second forced fumble of the season and kept the Ravens’ takeaway streak alive at six games. That’s how you slam the door shut.

Derrick Henry: The Second-Half King

After being held to a measly 14 yards in the first half, Derrick Henry reminded everyone why he’s called the King. He was a man on a mission in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns that completely flipped the script. He finished with 64 yards, but his impact was felt far beyond the stat sheet. He was the battering ram that broke down the Jets’ defense.

Dre’Mont Jones Makes His Presence Felt

The trade deadline acquisition, Dre’Mont Jones, is looking like a genius move. He terrorized Tyrod Taylor all afternoon, logging his first sack as a Raven by grabbing onto Taylor’s leg for dear life. He finished with 1.5 sacks and four tackles, proving to be a disruptive force that the Jets’ offensive line simply couldn’t handle.

Jordan Stout’s Booming Leg

Let’s give the punter some love! Jordan Stout was an absolute weapon. He uncorked a monstrous 74-yard punt that tied a franchise record held by the legendary Sam Koch. He consistently flipped the field, averaging a staggering 61.5 yards on four punts and pinning the Jets deep in their own territory. In a tight game, that kind of field position is priceless.

What’s on Deck for the Ravens?

With this win in the bag, the Ravens now turn their attention to a Thanksgiving night showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s a short week and a divisional rivalry game under the lights. Get your turkey and your popcorn ready, because that one is going to be a battle.