Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Henry’s Four-Touchdown Performance, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 yards and matched a personal best with four rushing scores as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the AFC North by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth 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 concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only one punt.

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

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their first five possessions and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

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

But the Ravens responded on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run snapped and handed the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

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

An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores.

The LA were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a field goal from short range just before the break and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.