Ravens Stay Alive Thanks to Henry’s Four-Touchdown Performance, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a year-best 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs 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 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 surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

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

Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers by a wide margin.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The veteran running back’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. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in the team's first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further three-yard touchdown 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 three-pointer, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to 27-24.

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 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the Packers into Baltimore territory before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Win Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback connected on a pair of deep scores on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 extended their winning streak to eight games, their best run in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

The Chargers' quarterback, competing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

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