Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Henry’s Four Scores Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 yards and matched a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers 307-79.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a hot topic locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s first two series and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.

After a field goal, the defense forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a long run. Those key runs set up a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

He completed his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 passing yards.

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Chargers were held to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of Stroud in the first half only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any scores.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a kick from close distance just before the break and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the win.