Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, enabling the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 rushes in the team's first two series and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to his receiver.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

The Texans (11-5) extended their winning streak to eight games, their best run in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

He connected on his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.

The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.