Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Performance, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

The veteran running back rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and tied a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the 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 opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard game moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 carries marked a career high.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay 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 Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that featured only one punt.

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

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s last two possessions the previous week in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay made it competitive by outscoring Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the first punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.

But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

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

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

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

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

An early pick of Stroud in the first half only resulted in a three points for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the win.