Baltimore Stay Alive Powered by Henry’s Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Secure Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry ran for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back 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 rushing performance surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to clinch the division crown. 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 issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

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

The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the defense forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 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 closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a scoring strike from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch 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 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 threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

He connected on his first six throws 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 Chargers were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An interception of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the win.