Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs as the Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented a career high.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay 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 league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to score on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the end of the half.

The Packers made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the defense forced the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third down play. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak 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 shocked the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

An interception of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.

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

The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from close distance just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

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