On Jan 16, 2021, the Buffalo Bills decisively defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 17 to 3, in the 2020 AFC divisional game. After 4 years, it’s time for revenge. The Ravens are preparing hard for the upcoming battle. Their QB Lamar Jackson is a punishing force in Baltimore’s backfield. But before that, another Ravens is grabbing all attention. And most expect him to be Buffalo’s biggest hurdle. Who is it then?

It’s Derrick Henry. “If you don’t stop Derrick Henry, you have no chance,” Daniel Jeremiah said on The Rich Eisen Show on January 13. He emphasized Henry’s impact, stating, “That doesn’t guarantee anything because now you still got to deal with Lamar… but I think you have to start there.” Henry has been the Ravens’ unstoppable weapon with 1,921 rushing yards this season. The RB also boasts a commanding 5.91 yards per carry. And the last time these teams met, Henry ran wild.

He racked up 199 rushing yards and a touchdown. And he helped Baltimore cruise to a 35-10 victory. But Buffalo’s defense must find answers this time. Head coach Sean McDermott called the Ravens “a great football team.” This was after the Bills’ 31-7 Wild Card win over the Broncos. And admitted, “They handled us pretty good the first go around, and they’re certainly playing well.”

However, Buffalo’s defense has reason to hope. Key defenders Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, and Taron Johnson missed the September blowout. But now they are back. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich will rely on their presence to counter Henry’s bruising runs. Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones bluntly put it. “It’s gonna be a bloodbath, man,” he said. “They run the ball. Derrick’s one hell of a player, one heck of a running back. It’s gonna take all 11, like I’ve been saying all year, to stop the run,” added Jones.

Buffalo needs a big game from Josh Allen if they hope to neutralize Henry. Jeremiah described Allen as “about as dialed in as you can be.” Allen’s dual-threat ability will test Baltimore’s defense, which Jeremiah called “a little susceptible on the back end.” Buffalo’s offense has the firepower to keep pace with Allen’s recent form and the home crowd behind him.

The final showdown: Derrick Henry vs. Josh Allen?

Henry’s dominance isn’t just about raw numbers. It’s about timing and physicality. The Ravens are riding a five-game win streak. That too, with a combined score of 163-57. And they have leaned heavily on their ground attack. Henry’s presence creates opportunities for Jackson and the Ravens’ offense to thrive, while Buffalo’s strategy hinges on early stops.

DT Jones added, “Make sure you don’t get to the second level. Stop him early, get him in the backfield, and go from there,” while giving a warning to the Bills. But Henry’s consistency has made even disciplined defenses falter. Baltimore’s ability to dictate the pace will force Buffalo to stay disciplined. Especially in key moments. Meanwhile, cornerback Brandon Stephens is one of the NFL’s most-targeted players.

Stephens has shown playmaking potential in critical moments. Ravens coach John Harbaugh highlighted Stephens’ resilience. “When you get a lot of targets, you’re going to have more completions… but you also make more plays. He’s made a real, good number of plays,” he said. On the other hand, Buffalo’s defense must stay sharp throughout.

“It’s about doing it again… See what’s going on, what did we succeed at, what do we still need to work on? I feel like if we do that, we’ll repeat it,” Bills’ cornerback Taron Johnson noted. The game could come down to the team capitalizing on its strengths. For Baltimore, that’s Henry. For Buffalo, it’s Allen.

Bills’ tackle Dion Dawkins summed it up pretty well. “When juggernauts come into town or when we go to their spot, the intensity is up,” Dawkins said. Will Josh Allen’s Buffalo overcome their September humiliation? Or it’s Henry and the Ravens repeating the same script? Sunday night will tell.