The 2024 NFL regular season is officially back starting Thursday with the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, two powerhouses in the AFC. Both the teams are excited about the match, but this game is important for Lamar Jackson. The Ravens want revenge after the Chiefs sent them packing in the AFC Championship Game last season. And people believe that the Lamar-Derrick duo is perfect for that.  

In a discussion with SiriusXM NFL Radio, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh called Lamar and Derrick a “2-Headed Monster.” Saying they will take the offense to a new level. When asked about it, Lamar also praised Henry, saying, “When you just know that guy’s behind you on the field, it’s an awesome presence.” Lamar further shared, “He’s a do it all back…..he’s just huge.” Saying it’s better seeing Derrick Henry on the Ravens’ side than going against them.

Derrick played a 17-game season in 2023 and finished second to Christian McCaffrey with 1,167 rushing yards. Switching to free agency, he now finds himself with the Baltimore Ravens under a two-year contract worth $16 million. And Lamar, with a record of 15,887 rushing yards and 125 touchdowns with 2 Pro Bowls and 2 MVP awards, is happy to have Henry on the team.  

Lamar’s wounds from the Ravens’ 17-10 loss in the AFC Championship Game are still fresh. Jackson was so frustrated after throwing a fourth-quarter interception in the end zone that the QB ripped off his helmet and slammed it to the ground, walking towards the sideline.

However, not only Ndamukong Suh and Lamar, even the competitors are praising this duo. The Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones, understands the power of the opposing team. 

Cris Jones said on facing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry

As per Arrowhead Pride, the Chiefs longest-tenured defender, Jones knows who he has to deal with. “Well, that’s a scary dynamic duo,” Jones said of Jackson and Henry. “[If] you look at it, Lamar is able to be a dual-threat quarterback; [he] also can pass.” Jones said about them praising Lamar Jackson’s performance in the last season. He also mentioned how Lamar “threw for like, four or five touchdowns” and that his leadership with a bright player like Henry might be a danger to the Chiefs.

Jones also talked about Derrick, “Then, to bring a special guy like Derrick? He, the last five to six years. Has been [in the] top three, top five in the rushing charts.” When talking about his previous performance when Derrick led the league in the past five years. And won the rushing title in both 2019 and 2020. Now, he’s set to create a powerful duo with Jackson, arguably the league’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterback, who racked up 821 rushing yards last season.

Under Todd Monken’s system, which has expanded Jackson’s role as a passer, the combination of Henry’s ground game and Jackson’s versatility might be just what’s needed to take down the Chiefs.