Ravens Remain in Contention Thanks to Henry’s Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the division-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the division title by defeating the Steelers on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that featured only a single punt.

Willis 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 exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to slow down Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' last two possessions the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic locally all week.

The Ravens made sure he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives 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 touchdown runs. He tacked on a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

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

After a three-pointer, 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 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 key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback led the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and handed the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An interception of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

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

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.