Ravens Stay Alive Powered by Henry’s Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four rushing scores as the Ravens staved off elimination by defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three touchdown runs 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 game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns 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, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in the team's first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added another short TD run just before the end of the half.

The Packers made it competitive by outscoring Baltimore 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score 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 down play. He closed the period with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback led the offense into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

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

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

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

The LA were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

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

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