Baltimore Stay Alive Behind Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry rushed for a year-best 216 rushing yards and tied a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a career high.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to secure the division crown. The Green Bay had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

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

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half.

The Packers made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.

After a field goal, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure 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 snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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 Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held 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 the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

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

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

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