Baltimore Stay Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Texans Secure Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry rushed for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters 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 moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a personal record.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the AFC North-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both squads were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only one punt.

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

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers by a wide margin.

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

The Ravens made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. 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 Baltimore’s opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens 10-0 in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB'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 long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, competing 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 takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

The Houston specialist made field goals from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.