Tennessee Titans: Rumors of Derrick Henry’s slow start are exaggerated

Derrick Henry #22, Tennessee Titans (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Derrick Henry #22, Tennessee Titans (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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This is a bit of a retraction here for those of us that thought it may take Derrick Henry a little while longer than expected to snap out of whatever that was that we all witnessed in Week 1, and it’s a retraction that we’re more than happy to write. Rumors of Derrick Henry’s regression and elongated slow for the Tennessee Titans have been grossly exaggerated.

King Henry’s first three touchdowns of this young NFL  season couldn’t have come at a better time, and each one was more phenomenal than the last.

One came to cap the Titans’ first drive of the second half. Another one came in a bit of crisis. The third helped erase what was left of a second-half deficit. Let’s make long stories short. Derrick Henry is still the best running back on Planet Earth.

Here’s another look at three great runs by the Tennessee Titans star.

No one would blame you if you were a little concerned about the two-time defending rushing champion (and two-time defending rushing touchdowns leader) after Week 1. Heck, a lot of us were. After all, the Titans’ offensive line was suspect, and Henry had racked up just under 800 carries in two seasons if you include what he’s done in the postseason.

Even for someone who’s superhuman like the game’s best, that’s a lot of wear and tear. Let’s just say that, sometimes, it’s great to be wrong.

If you’re looking for a bounceback performance, this is it. The first TD was a beauty. Check it out.

https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1439716544427085824

The second one was even more phenomenal than the first. Check that one out as well.

https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1439724655674232833

This just in. You’re not going to bring Derrick Henry down with an arm tackle. A 60 yard-touchdown never looked so good, or are we just being emotional here?

Henry’s third score was less dramatic than his first two, but who cares? It erased a second-half deficit after Randy Bullock tacked on the extra point.

https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1439733386717765634

As if that wasn’t enough, as you’d expect, after both teams traded punts in overtime, the King marched his team into field-goal range and put Bullock into position for the game-winner, which he drilled. If you’re interested, that’s 41 touches, 236 total yards, three touchdowns, and about 44 to 45 yards for your Fantasy football team courtesy of Mr Henry.

The Titans are back. They’ll have a shot to go up by two games on the rival Indianapolis Colts as these two proud franchises will meet in Week 3 for their first showdown of the 2021-2022 season.