(Video) Eagles rookie gives Derrick Henry the pile-driver in win over hapless Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles rookie corner Cooper DeJean and his defensive teammates kept Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens at bay.
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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was pile-driven into the ground by rookie corner Cooper DeJean to stop a drive (Image via NFL/X/SS)
Every time Derrick Henry suits up to play, opposing defenders get a special note in their scouting report. That note usually mentions how not to tackle the Baltimore Ravens monster of a running back. For Philadelphia Eagles rookie corners Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, that note might have included an extra film session to avoid getting humbled.
Lamar Jackson led his teammates to take the early lead with their home fans cheering them on. But then, the Eagles took over and kept the lead at the half with a couple of touchdowns. The Ravens had two opportunities to get the lead back, but Justin Tucker‘s kicking woes continued.
After a couple of scoreless drives, the Eagles took over the lead after Saquon Barkley scored a touchdown to continue his league leading exploits. Now it was time for the second best running back to do his work as he helped the Ravens start their next drive with a 1st down run.
On the next set of downs though, the Eagles defense forced him to lose a yard to place them in a difficult 3rd and 11 play. Jackson snapped the ball, looked towards his receivers and then threw to his running back who streaked to his left.
Cooper DeJean takes down Derrick Henry ?
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
?: #PHIvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+
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As soon as Derrick Henry caught the ball and planted his feet to take off, he was pile driven into the ground. Replays showed that DeJean was clever in his positioning as he squared his shoulders and went straight into Henry’s thighs. That and his momentum ensured the running back had no chance as he was put on his back.
Derrick Henry could not help his Ravens beat the Eagles
The Baltimore Ravens knew all too well that they were about to welcome arguably one of the best defenses in the league this week. The Philadelphia Eagles are playing elite ball at all three defensive levels, which could force any elite offense to watch extra film or think up different schemes.
Against any decent team, the combination of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is a tough task. But for the Eagles, it was not much as the likes of Jalen Carter and his frontline teammates ensured they kept the 6′ 3″ 247lb humble.
In the off chance he managed to get space, the elite secondary was there to keep him from scoring. The return of CJ Gardner-Johnson has had an incredible impact on the defense. But it is the swift growth and elite play from Cooper DeJean and fellow rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell that has been the biggest storyline.
The introduction of the two has helped shore up last season’s struggles. Now those two, along with their quickly developed linebacking core, has ensured the Philadelphia Eagles keep opposing offenses humble as they won their eighth straight game.
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Joseph Varghese
(2265 Articles Published)