The Baltimore Ravens didn’t look like a team on a roll — not at first. But when the third quarter began, everything changed. On , at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Derrick Henry turned sluggishness into dominance, rumbling for two third-quarter touchdowns to lift the Ravens to a 23-10 win over the New York Jets. The victory marked Baltimore’s fifth straight win — a stunning turnaround from their 1-5 start — and tied them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North.
A Slow Start, Then a Surge
The game began like a winter morning: cold, quiet, and uneventful. Neither team scored in the first quarter. The Jets, led by backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (who replaced benched starter Justin Fields), finally broke through in the second quarter when wide receiver John Metchie caught a 12-yard touchdown pass — his second of the season. It gave New York a 7-0 lead. The Ravens responded with a 38-yard field goal by Justin Tucker, leaving the scoreboard at 7-3 at halftime. It was the Jets’ first halftime lead since Week 1 against Pittsburgh.But the second half? That’s when the Ravens’ identity reemerged.
Henry’s Moment
The turning point came on third-and-15 late in the third quarter. The Ravens were pinned deep, facing a three-and-out. Then, Isaiah Oliver, a Jets cornerback, was flagged for pass interference — a 34-yard gift to Baltimore. Three plays later, Derrick Henry took a handoff, plowed through two defenders, and dove into the end zone from two yards out. The crowd erupted. The Ravens led 10-7.Less than five minutes later, the Jets gambled. On fourth-and-2 at their own 42-yard line, Tyrod Taylor threw a short pass that fell incomplete. Then, on the next drive, Tony Adams, a Jets safety, was called for pass interference on a deep throw to Marquise Brown, placing the ball at the New York 3-yard line. It was the second critical defensive penalty in a span of 12 minutes. Henry, again, finished the job — this time with a power dive that made it 17-7.
"He’s not just a runner," said John Harbaugh, Ravens head coach. "He’s a statement. And tonight, he made one."
The Jets’ Cracks Widen
The Jets’ offense, already struggling, looked even more disjointed after halftime. Their only points came from a 41-yard field goal by Chandler Catanzaro in the fourth quarter. Their best offensive drive came when Breece Hall caught a 40-yard screen pass and turned it into a deep run. But as he neared the goal line, Hall fumbled — and the ball popped loose into the arms of Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. The turnover effectively ended any hope of a comeback."We had chances," said Aaron Glenn, Jets head coach. "We just didn’t finish. That’s been the story all year."
The loss marked the Jets’ 10th consecutive season with a losing record — a franchise record of futility that stretches back to 2016. They’re now 2-9, and their playoff hopes are mathematically dead.
What This Means for Baltimore
The Ravens, meanwhile, are suddenly in the thick of the AFC playoff race. At 6-5, they’re tied for the division lead. Their six remaining games include matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) and Cleveland Browns (3-8) — teams they’re expected to beat. But they’ll also face the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs — two of the league’s elite."We’re not where we want to be," said Lamar Jackson, Ravens quarterback. "Some missed opportunities. Weaknesses in the defense, I feel like we should have taken advantage of that. We just didn’t." His words were honest — and telling. The Ravens’ offense still looked uneven. They had three turnovers and went 3-of-12 on third downs. But Henry’s two scores, and a defense that held New York to zero points after halftime, were enough.
The Ravens’ defense, which looked sluggish in the first half, tightened up dramatically after the break. They forced three punts, two turnovers, and held the Jets to just 98 total yards after halftime. It was a classic John Harbaugh performance: adjust, adapt, and win.
What’s Next?
With six games left, the AFC North is a three-team race — Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. But the Bengals are fading. The Browns are irrelevant. The Steelers, who lost 24-20 to the Chicago Bears on the same day, now face a brutal stretch: Kansas City, Buffalo, and Baltimore. The Ravens’ path to the playoffs might be narrower than it looks.But one thing is clear: Derrick Henry is no longer just a running back. He’s the engine. And in a season where everything else has been shaky, he’s the only thing the Ravens can count on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Derrick Henry’s performance compare to his previous games this season?
Henry’s two touchdowns against the Jets were his first multi-TD game of the 2025 season. He entered the game with just 5 rushing touchdowns all year, but rushed for 112 yards on 22 carries — his highest output since Week 5. His 5.1 yards per carry was his best average in a game since October. This was his most dominant performance since joining the Ravens in 2024.
Why was Justin Fields benched, and how has Tyrod Taylor performed?
Fields was benched after a string of poor decisions and three interceptions in his last two games. Tyrod Taylor, a 34-year-old veteran, replaced him and completed 18 of 29 passes for 154 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. While he avoided major mistakes, he also lacked the explosiveness needed to stretch the Ravens’ defense. His 76.4 passer rating was below his season average.
What impact did the pass interference penalties have on the game?
Two critical pass interference calls — one on Isaiah Oliver and another on Tony Adams — gave the Ravens 37 yards of field position and directly led to both of Derrick Henry’s touchdowns. The Jets were flagged for six penalties total, including three for pass interference, which is more than they’d been called for in any previous game this season. It was a breakdown in discipline that cost them dearly.
How does this win affect Baltimore’s playoff chances?
The Ravens are now tied for first in the AFC North and hold the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh due to a better division record. With six games left, they need to win at least four — including home games against the Bengals and Browns — to guarantee a playoff spot. A win over the Chiefs or Bills would all but lock it up. Their path is tougher than last year, but Henry’s resurgence gives them a fighting chance.
Why is this loss so damaging for the Jets?
This loss marks their 10th straight losing season — the longest active streak in the NFL. It also drops them to 2-9, making them the first team in the league to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. With no clear franchise quarterback and a defense that’s ranked 30th in the league, the Jets now face a long rebuild. Their next three games are against the Dolphins, Chargers, and Patriots — all playoff contenders.
What does this say about the AFC North’s competitiveness this year?
The AFC North is suddenly a three-team dogfight with no clear favorite. The Ravens and Steelers are both 6-5, the Bengals are 3-8, and the Browns are also 3-8. But unlike past seasons, no team has dominated. The Ravens’ win proves they can grind out victories even when their offense sputters. That resilience — not star power — might be what wins the division.