Baltimore Remain in Contention Behind Henry’s Four Scores Outburst, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a year-best 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three scores 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 career 200-yard game moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran 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 game was the Packers' failure to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Packers 307-79.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. 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 early and often. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third period.

After a field goal, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another interception did not yield any scores.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a score.

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