Lamar Jackson directly compared Derrick Henry’s on-field prowess to that of Lightning McQueen from the animated film “Cars.” “It looks like a movie clip,” Jackson remarked, describing the sensation of watching Henry sprint past defenders. “You know when Lightning McQueen is just flying and flashing past, and it’s like [whooshing sound]? That’s how Derrick looks when he was running past all those guys. … I’d rather be watching it than be on the other side of the ball, I know that.”
In a standout performance, Henry rushed for 186 yards and scored two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per carry. This included a remarkable 44-yard touchdown run, highlighted by a powerful stiff-arm against Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. This game marked Henry’s eighth playoff appearance, having previously played seven postseason games with the Tennessee Titans.
“He is just a workhorse,” Jackson continued, praising Henry’s relentless style of play. “That guy is just that guy. … I can’t find the words to say, man. I believe everyone sees it. I can just hand the ball off, [and he gets] 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, and I’m just chilling. Now, when they’re attacking him, I go, and it’s like I’m fresh. It’s just making my job a lot easier. We just piggyback off each other.”
In the wild-card round, Jackson himself displayed impressive statistics, throwing for 175 yards and two touchdowns while achieving a passer rating of 132.0. He completed 76.2% of his passes, going 16 of 21, and also added 81 rushing yards on 5.4 yards per carry.
Jackson, who earned the NFL MVP title, is coming off what many consider the best regular season of his career. He amassed 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, resulting in an NFL-leading passer rating of 119.6. Additionally, he rushed for 915 yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry.
For those unfamiliar with Jackson’s reference, Lightning McQueen captured the hearts of audiences with his rapid pace in the animated movie “Cars.” His journey to success was further propelled by the guidance of the legendary Hudson Hornet.
As the playoffs progress, Henry, Jackson, and the Baltimore Ravens await the outcome of the wild-card round matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills, hoping to advance further in their quest for championship glory.
