Derrick Henry thought he had a good chance to be a Raven at last year’s trade deadline. When it didn’t happen, did he watch the AFC Championship game between the Ravens and Chiefs and wonder what could have been?

As has long been discussed in Baltimore this offseason, the Ravens were only able to run the ball six times with their running backs in this AFC Championship game loss.

Henry couldn’t help but think that things would have turned out differently if he had been on that field. And one of the reasons Baltimore believes the outcome will be different this time is because Henry will be on that big stage at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night to watch the NFL regular season opener.

“I wish I could have been playing in full gear the day I saw the game,” Henry said. “But yeah, it’s my turn now so I’ve got to take advantage. It’s going to be a hell of a game.”

Including the playoffs, Henry has played six games against the Chiefs in his career, rushing for 672 yards and eight touchdowns. The Ravens’ bull in the backfield likes to see red.

“They’re a great team, have been for some time. Their defense is solid,” Henry said. “I think they’re solid from top to bottom, have willing tacklers and they’re disruptive, so you just have to play your best when you go up against those guys. I’ve been fortunate to have success when we’ve played against them.”

Kansas City’s run defense was the weakest point last season before the AFC Championship, and not much has changed on their side of the ball in terms of personnel. Henry’s presence is important in Baltimore, but he will also need a young, rebuilt offensive line with three new starters who block well in front of him.

“I’m looking forward to them stepping up and presenting themselves as a group and as a whole,” Henry said. “We’re going to do our job and execute. It’s all connected and we trust each other.”